Columbus, OH – FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes and North Texas SC ‘keeper Michael Collodi were on show during the All-Star Skills Challenge that pitted MLS and Liga MX All-Stars against each other in a variety of soccer challenges Tuesday night at Lower.com Field.
Paes lined up alongside his fellow MLS All-Stars while North Texas SC’s Michael Collodi competed in MLS NEXT Pro’s Goalie Wars tournament, finishing runner-up.
Paes began the night in the Cross & Volley Challenge where he faced former France international striker André-Pierre Gignac in the third round. Paes made two good saves but Gignac, now of Tigres, was able to put three past him as the Liga MX All-Stars won the Challenge. It was a similar story in the Crossbar Challenge which decided the series. Paes saw his two 50-yard attempts soar over the crossbar before his Liga MX counterparts won the challenge and ultimately the All-Star Skills crown.
Collodi reached the final of the Goalie Wars tournament by defeating Columbus’ own Stas Lapkes in the semifinal with an impressive 4-2 victory. Collodi started the round by scoring his first three attempts with back-to-back-to-back throws into the top corner.
Collodi’s run came to an end the championship, however, falling 1-0 to Crown Legacy’s Chituru Odunze whose 6-foot-7 frame was too much to overcome.
Paes will line up for the MLS All-Stars once against Wednesday night in the showpiece game against the Liga MX All-Stars at 8PM at Lower.com Field. The match will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
