Game is over and the final score is MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal. Here is the match report.
Match Report
The current reality is much harsher.
Wednesday's All-Star Game against Arsenal showed just how steep the gap is between the American competition and Europe's elite, as the Gunners won 5-0 in front of a packed crowd at Audi Field.
And while it was a celebratory week for a league entering an exciting new era, few - if any - of its All-Stars came out of the contest with their stock raised.
While MLS' attackers largely failed to find a cutting edge, it was the league's defenders who looked most out of their depth.
Cincinnati's Alvaro Barreal was terrorized on the right flank by Bukayo Saka, getting caught out of position in tracking back the England star before he laid it off to Gabriel Jesus for a wonderfully chipped first goal.
Center back Walker Zimmerman - who acquitted himself fairly well vs. the Three Lions in the World Cup - was also nutmegged by Saka on the play, which keeper Roman Burki will want to forget too.
Barreal's half didn't get any better from there, as he hacked down Saka for a yellow card in the 18th minute before the winger again got the best of him five minutes later, skipping by him before supplying Leandro Trossard for the second goal.
MLS ended the first half with four yellow cards, and the play in the first 45 wasn't wildly cohesive in the final third either.
Hany Mukhtar had a couple of wasteful passes, Christian Benteke had one particularly clumsy touch in front of goal in the 11th minute and Denis Bouanga was mostly quiet outside of a few decent bursts of speed.
Those three were all taken off during a 33rd-minute hydration break, as were Riqui Puig, Jose Martinez and Burki.
Those changes were surely made by All-Star coach Wayne Rooney in the spirit of giving others playing time in the exhibition match, though there would have been few complaints on sporting grounds either.
The second half got off on the same sour note for the hosts, as Arsenal was awarded a penalty just seconds after the restart following a Tim Parker handball.
Jorginho had no qualms about making it three and putting Arsenal firmly in the driver's seat for this preseason tune-up.
Gabriel Martinelli later put Arsenal up four with a cool finish on the break, before Kai Havertz scored the fifth and final goal of the game.
MLS' All-Stars, ultimately, didn't give its fans much to cheer about, though most of the spectators in attendance wouldn't have minded that.
The loudest cheer of the night came when Declan Rice was subbed on for his debut - such was the sea of red that took over the stadium.
Ultimately, this wasn't a surprising result, but one that an-ever competitive Rooney still won't have been pleased by.
He's early in his coaching career, but even the most seasoned of managers would have struggled to get a result against this strong Arsenal side.
Line-ups
MLS All-Stars XI: Benteke, Burki, Jakob Glesnes, Hany Mukhtar, Walker Zimmerman, Luciano Acosta, Ryan Hollingshead, Denis Bouanga, José Martínez, Riqui Puig, Álvaro Barreal
Subs: Kei Kamara, Herrera, Gil, Lucas Zelarayán, Georgios Giakoumakis, Cristian Espinoza, Jordan Morris, Matt Miazga, Tim Parker, Tyler Miller, Jesús Ferreira, Djordje Petrovic, Jon Gallagher, Mathieu Choinière, Thiago Almada, John Tolkin, Aidan Morris
Arsenal XI: Trossard, Jorginho, Jesus, Gabriel, Ramsdale, Ben White, Nketiah, William Saliba, Saka, Jakub Kiwior, Fábio Vieira
Subs: Runarsson, Tierney, Martin Ødegaard, Holding, Rice, Tomiyasu, Auston Trusty, Havertz, Martinelli, Karl Hein, Balogun, Jurrien Timber, Marquinhos, Amario Cozier-Duberry
eggosa91
539
Kai prove haters wrong! ... Kai worth every penny
KaifPasha
506
This was the reason why Ronaldo was calling the Saudi league better than MLS. At least Riyad 11 lost to PSG by 1 goal here MLS all stars have crossed the limit 😅
cj1
496
Arsenal really prepared to give us problem this coming season. Buh am nor scared I trust big Pep, he's always on guard 💪💪💙💙
akaonceChelseaBarca
493
Let's hope u score for them in UCL, all the best, u hope opened the lock by ur self today. Well deserved win fellow Londoners.
eggosa91
447
The goat said it but the messi media minions won't listen! ... Saudi didn't lose 5 :0 against psg 😏 #goat # Ronaldo #listen
Solomondechol
444
Don’t judge a book by its cover.. Havertz was being criticized already for missing the poor performance in the skills game but people are not perfect everyday but with time things start getting into place and puzzle will go together 🙌 I hope havertz succeeds at arsenal ✅ all the best Kai
MichaelMathias
285
So Arsenal goes to the US to burn it down !!
eggosa91
277
Declan Rice's first outing in an Arsenal shirt 🔥
eggosa91
246
I didn't watch the match but I blame messi 😐
Humancal44
233
Jurrien Timber Welcome to Arsenal 😍