MLS vs Liga MX All Star Game dates confirmed

The third edition of the All Star Game between players from the Liga MX and Major League Soccer was confirmed this morning. The game will take place on Wednesday 24 July at the Lower.com stadium in Columbus, Ohio, kicking off at 8 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. PDT.

MLS vs Liga MX All Star Game roster selection process

Mexico’s Liga MX has not yet defined the selection process for the 26 players that will make up their All Star team. MLS will form its own with 12 players voted for by fans and a further 12 chosen by coach Wilfried Nancy, recent MLS Cup champion with the Columbus Crew last season.

The MLS All-Star Skills Challenge returns

On Tuesday 23 July, the day before the match, the MLS Skills Challenge event will take place. Ten players from both leagues will compete against each other in a series of shooting, control, crossing, volleying, passing and crossbar tests. It has yet to be confirmed whether there will also be a repeat of the MLS All-Star Goalie Wars exhibition which last year featured four keepers competing head-to-head in a single-elimination tournament. During three 90 second rounds, each player will defend his own net while trying to score against his opponent by throwing, kicking or drop-kicking the ball.

The two previous editions of this match have not been positive for Mexico. The 2021 edition ended in a 1-1 draw - Cabecita Rodríguez’s 20th minute opener was cancelled out by Jesús Murillo. at the Banc of California stadium in Los Angeles. Allianz Field in Minnesota hosted the following year’s game, which ended 2-1 to MLS All Stars with goals from Carlos Vela and Raúl Ruidíaz with Kevin Álvarez scoring a late consolation goal for the Mexicans. In 2023, the Liga MX representative was unable to take part. Premier League side Arsenal took their place and ran out 0-5 winners, equalling the biggest wins in 25 editions of the MLS All Star Game in its various different guises.

Tickets for both events will be go on general sale at 10 a.m. ET on Friday 8 March through the MLSsoccer.com/AllStar website. Last year, tickets for the Skills Challenge were priced at $15 while tickets for the game quickly sold out. With the possibility that Lionel Messi might be selected for the MLS All Star roster, there is strong chance that this year’s game will sell out too.