Atlético Madrid to play in the 2019 MLS All-Star Game
The 'Colchoneros' will be the special guests for the 2019 All-Star Game in the United States, which is scheduled for July 31 in Orlando, Florida.
Major League Soccer is getting ready for the 2019 All-Star Game, a friendly match that will take place at Orlando City Stadium on July 31. Each year, the MLS All-Star team is pitted against world-class opponents and this edition will be no exception.
The MLS has announced that Atlético Madrid, ten-time LaLiga champions (most recently in 2014) and one of the most tradition-laden clubs in Europe, is the team that the stars from the American league will face on July 31.
Current champion
Juventus were the victors of the last edition of the tie after winning 5-3 on penalties. The All-Star side haven't won since 2015, the year they beat Tottenham 2-1 in Colorado.
MLS All-Star
The 2019 edition will mark the 16th time that an elite international club and the MLS All-Star clash, with Atléti being the second team from LaLiga to appear in the event after Real Madrid.
Over the history of the tie, the MLS All-Star steam has played clubs from the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, Liga MX, and the Scottish Premiership; and holds a record of eight wins, four draws and three losses.
Old format
The All-Star Game started back in 1996 with a format in which the stars of the Eastern Conference took on the best from the Western Conference. In 1998 it was changed to MLS USA v MLS World, a team made up of the foreigners in the league.
In 2002 and 2003, the matches were between the Stars of the MLS and the US men's national team and Chivas. It wasn't until 2004, when the new format was installed, that the MLS All Stars went up against international clubs.