The MLS brings back the All-Star Skills Challenge
The Major League Soccer announced the players that will take part in the skill challenge before the match against Atlético de Madrid in the All-Star weekend.
The MLS All-Star Game is just under a month away, and this edition will have a new attraction - the Skills Challenge returns in a new format. The event will take place before the match against Atlético de Madrid on 31 July at Orlando City Stadium.
The Skills Challenge is designed to test All-star players' technique and ability. It was a regular feature between 1998 and 2001, and now it's back for the All-Star weekend.
Participants
The MLS announced Jonathan Dos Santos, Carlos Vela, and Wayne Rooney for the MLS All-star side with Nani, Chris Mueller, and Jhegson Sebastián Méndez representing Orlando City. For Atlético, Koke will be the one representing the Spaniards along with two other team mates yet to be confirmed.
Skills
The Major League Soccer announced three categories in which the selected players will face each other. Shooting, Touch and Volley, and Passing, in which they will seek to add the most points to become the new MLS All-Star Skills Challenge champion.
Players will have to complete the skills in set times. In the Passing category, players must score as many points as possible in two minutes by hitting static and moving targets; points are rated based on difficulty.
In Shooting, accuracy will be measured as each team takes a series of shots on goal, attempting to hit targets with varying point values. In touch and volley meanwhile, technique and creativity will be on display as each player showcases his ability to score.
Where to watch and how to attend?
The MLS All-Star Game against Atlético de Madrid, can be followed at the official MLS app and its website, while tickets to attend are available here, where you can also get tickets to the MLS All-Star Game, the Skills Challenge event and the Prince Royce concert at Wall Street Plaza in Orlando, Florida on 27 July.