This year’s match will mark the 26th MLS All-Star game in league history. In years past, this game has pitted the best players from the Eastern and Western conferences against one another, though the last time that format was used was way back in 2004. From ‘05 to ‘19, a single All-Star team took on a pre-selected European soccer team, including the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, among others.
Last season, however, the league decided on a new format. Instead of bringing in teams from across the pond, they looked a bit closer: across the southern border. Liga MX and MLS have been growing alongside one another for years, and now we can see who’s got the right stuff when the best players from each league take the field against one another each year.
Before the festivities get underway, let’s break down the teams that will be on the pitch at Allianz Field this Wednesday.
From Major League Soccer, we have 26 players representing America’s league. 16 of the league’s 28 clubs have at least one player on the roster, with LAFC leading the way with three (Diego Palacios, Carlos Vela, and Ilie Sánchez). NYCFC also had three players selected, though striker Taty Castellanos has since packed his bags for Spain, having joined La Liga side Girona on loan. He has since been replaced by Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez.
On the other half of the field, the Liga MX All-Stars will be playing for just the second time ever. Their 26-man roster includes players from 13 of the league’s 18 clubs. Defending champions Atlas have seven players on the team, as well as their coach, Diego Cocca, on the sidelines.
Between the two teams, a total of 12 nations will be represented. Mexican players make up the largest group of All-Stars, with 15, while the USA and Argentina are tied for second with 9 apiece. The full rosters for both the Skills Challenge and the All-Star Game can be found at the links below:
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