Arsenal F.C. emerged victorious over the MLS All-Stars in a hard-fought 2023 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday night in front of a capacity crowd. Former MLS defender Auston Trusty struck the crossbar for the Victory Shot to give Arsenal the title.
Additionally, Crown Legacy FC’s Isaac Walker took home the MLS NEXT Pro Goalie Wars title after winning 3-2 in sudden death against Austin FC II’s Damian Las.
Subscribe to MLS Season Pass for less and watch the rest of the 2023 season
MLS All-Star Shooting Challenge presented by AT&T 5G
A strong start from Arsenal’s new signing Jurriën Timber made the difference in the MLS All-Star Shooting Challenge presented by AT&T 5G to give the visitors the first point of the night. Timber produced a score 50, while defender Jakub Kiwior brought the challenge home with a final-round 49 to solidify the 121-88 victory. The MLS All-Stars were led by a terrific performance from LAFC forward Dénis Bouanga (Watch Here), who had 44 points in the final round to give MLS a chance before Kiwior’s strong effort.
MLS All-Star Touch Challenge presented by Dawn
Despite a valiant effort by 2022 FIFA World Cup winner and Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada, Arsenal earned the second point of the night in the MLS All-Star Touch Challenge presented by Dawn. Another new signing for Arsenal, Kai Havertz, had multiple key touches and redirects for the Gunners, totaling a challenge-best 86 points for the winning side, while Marquinhos added another 53. Almada led MLS with 78 points (Watch Here) and reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC produced 37 points in the 139-115 defeat.
MLS All-Star Cross & Volley Challenge presented by AT&T 5G
The MLS All-Stars got on the board thanks to tremendous performances from LAFC’s Dénis Bouanga alongside goalkeepers Roman Bürki (St. Louis CITY SC) and Tyler Miller (D.C. United). Bouanga lit it up in the second round with a whopping 95 points that included scissor kicks, volleys, and acrobatic finishes (Watch Here). Bürki produced a perfect performance in net, stopping every shot from Arsenal’s Havertz. D.C.’s hometown hero finished the challenge off in style, as Miller then made several great saves on Arsenal and U.S. Men’s National Team forward Folarin Balogun to seal the 125-25 victory (Watch Here).
MLS All-Star Passing Challenge presented by Bounty
The best distributors took center stage in the MLS All-Star Passing Challenge presented by Bounty with Arsenal picking up a razor-thin victory, 2-1. Thiago Almada showed his class by working his way through the passing obstacles in a record time, easily defeating former Colorado Rapids defender Auston Trusty (Watch Here). The Gunners would bounce back through Jorginho, who narrowly took down the LA Galaxy’s Riqui Puig in the second round. In the decisive final battle, Arsenal’s Kiwior proved to be clutch in another challenge, defeating FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta.
MLS All-Star Crossbar Challenge presented by GilletteLabs
The MLS All-Stars and Arsenal went back and forth in the decisive MLS All-Star Crossbar Challenge presented by Gillette Stadium before former Rapids player and current Arsenal defender Auston Trusty brought home the win for the Gunners. Arsenal unlocked Zone 2 first, but the duo of Dénis Bouanga (LAFC) and Christian Benteke (D.C. United) pulled the MLS All-Stars back into it with several perfect strikes off the crossbar. After a number of close efforts, Trusty sealed the victory with a perfectly driven effort that caromed off the crossbar (Watch Here).