Major League Soccer's all-star victory over Mexico's Liga MX best on penalty kicks in Los Angeles last summer was so compelling, both sides agreed to do it all over again Wednesday at Allianz Field.
The relationship between North America's two biggest pro soccer leagues only recently has grown into a real rivalry. Until then, it hadn't done so because of Mexico's dominance in whatever international competition the two leagues engaged.
Three months ago, the Seattle Sounders had a breakthrough victory over Liga MX's UNAM in the Concacaf Champions League final, which ended a 14-year winning streak by Mexican teams.
MLS All-Star and Loons coach Adrian Heath was an outsider looking in when he arrived from England to the United States in 2008. He has seen the evolution.
"This is the closest MLS has ever been to Liga MX," Heath said. "When I arrived, the gap was pretty big."
Heath credits "the incredible investment" made in his league and its clubs while he has watched MLS grow from 14 teams and next season will add its 29th, in St. Louis.
"Long-term, this will be good for Liga MX as well," Heath said. "The U.S. is getting closer. Our league is getting better, buying more players, competing for the same players to buy. I think it's only good for the competition."
Last week, 71,000 fans filled Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium for a Leagues Cup Showcase doubleheader in which LA Galaxy defeated Liga MX's Guadalajara de Chivas 2-0 and Los Angeles FC lost to Club America on penalty kicks.