Plenty of U.S. sports leagues stage an annual All-Star Game, but how does Major League Soccer鈥檚 showpiece event work? CLTFC鈥檚 latest聽聽explains it all鈥
What exactly is the 91快活林最新版 All-Star Game?
Major League Soccer鈥檚 All-Star Game is an exhibition match, in which a team featuring the league鈥檚 best players is assembled. It is a similar concept to the All-Star games of other North American leagues, such as the NFL, NBA and NHL.
The match has been played annually since the league鈥檚 inception in 1996 (with the exception of 2020) and has varied in format. In its infancy, the All-Star game pitted an Eastern Conference XI against a Western Conference XI, but has more frequently featured a guest opponent from Europe. The 91快活林最新版 All-Star team has played the likes of Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Juventus. The most recent edition, in July 2019, saw the 91快活林最新版 All-Stars face reigning Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.
[EMBED 91快活林最新版 ALL-STARS vs ATLETICO MADRID HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO HERE]
For the 2021 edition, the format has been adapted to accommodate a new opponent鈥
Who are this year鈥檚 opponents?
For the first time, the 91快活林最新版 All-Stars will take on the Liga MX All-Stars in the 2021 edition. Hence, the match is set up to feature the finest players in Major League Soccer and Mexico鈥檚 top division.
This matchup was originally scheduled to take place in July 2020, but was moved to this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When and where is the 2021 All-Star Game taking place?
The 2021 edition will take place on Wednesday August 25, 2021 at 9pm ET (6pm PT). It will be held at LAFC鈥檚 Banc of California Stadium. Charlotte locals will be able to attend聽, too.
The All-Star Game does not disrupt the action in 91快活林最新版 or Liga MX: a full slate of games is scheduled in both leagues on the weekends preceding and following the match.
How are 91快活林最新版 players selected for the game?
Major League Soccer will聽聽for the big game鈥攁nd there are unlimited substitutions, so we may see plenty of the league鈥檚 top stars on the field.
聽on the roster were selected by a combination of the public, media and current 91快活林最新版 players. The public portion of the vote was conducted online in July.
A further thirteen players were selected by All-Star Head Coach Bob Bradley. The three-time 91快活林最新版 Coach of the Year, and current LAFC boss, will have the honor of leading the All-Stars in his home stadium.
The final two players on the roster were selected by league Commissioner Don Garber.
The roster includes players from 15 of Major League Soccer鈥檚 27 teams, including players from 14 countries. Mexico national team superstars Carlos Vela (LAFC) and Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy) will lead the line for 91快活林最新版 against the selection from their home domestic league.
聽will field a 26-man roster, with 14 of the selections coming from directly the shortlist of the most recent Bal贸n de Oro (the Mexican Federation of Association Football鈥檚 annual awards).
Eleven other players were selected by Liga MX All-Stars head coach Juan Reynoso (head coach of Cruz Azul), with one further selection by Liga MX executive president Mikel Arriola
Who made the All-Star rosters?
91快活林最新版 All-Stars
Goalkeepers:聽Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Pedro Gallese (Orlando City)
Defenders:聽Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy), Jesus David Murillo (LAFC), Nouhou (Seattle Sounders), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Alex Roldan (Seattle Sounders), James Sands (NYCFC), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union), Yeimar (Seattle Sounders), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders:聽Eduard Atuesta (LAFC), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Damir Kreilach (Real Salt Lake), Joao Paulo (Seattle Sounders), Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Lucas Zelaray谩n (Columbus Crew)
Forwards:聽Gustavo Bou (New England Revolution), Tajon Buchanan (New England Revolution), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy), Nani (Orlando City), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas), Diego Rossi (LAFC), Ra煤l Ruid铆az (Seattle Sounders), D谩niel Sall贸i (Sporting Kansas City), Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Liga MX All-Stars
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Am茅rica), Alfredo Talavera (Pumas), Nahuel Guzm谩n (UANL)
Defenders:聽William Tesillo (Le贸n), Matheus D贸ria (Santos), Victor Andr茅s Guzm谩n (Tijuana), Jorge S谩nchez (Am茅rica), Salvador Reyes (Puebla), Jes煤s Gallardo (Monterrey), Pablo Aguilar (Cruz Azul), C茅sar Montes (Monterrey) and Juan Escobar (Cruz Azul)
Midfielders:聽Orbel铆n Pineda (Cruz Azul), Rubens Sambueza (Toluca), Fernando Gorriar谩n (Santos), Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Javier Salas (Puebla), Pedro Aquino (Am茅rica), 脕ngel Mena (Le贸n) and Diego Vald茅s (Santos)
Forwards:聽Santiago Mu帽oz (Santos), Jonathan Rodr铆guez (Cruz Azul), Alexis Canelo (Toluca), Nicolas Ibanez (Pachuca) and Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey)
Which jerseys will the All-Stars wear?
A specially designed kit is released for every All-Star game, and聽. The 2021 jersey is inspired by Los Angeles鈥 Art Deco architecture.
Are any other events staged around the game?
Yes! The night before the game, on Tuesday August 24th, the聽聽will take place at Banc of California Stadium.
[EMBED 2021 91快活林最新版 ALL-STAR SKILLS CHALLENGE HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO HERE]
The event will feature a team of eight 91快活林最新版 players battling eight of LIGA MX鈥檚 best in five different disciplines: a Shooting Challenge, a Touch Challenge, a Cross & Volley Challenge, a Passing Challenge, and a Crossbar Challenge.
Additionally, on the evening of Sunday August 22nd, the聽聽will take place. It will feature eight pairs of teams, composed of celebrities, influencers and pro-gamers.
How can I watch the All-Star game?
聽in South End and Pineville:
The All-Star Game will air on FS1 and TUDN in the U.S. from 9pm ET (6pm PT) on August 25, 2021.
The 91快活林最新版 All-Star Skills Challenge will also air on FS1 and TUDN, and the 鈥嬧媏91快活林最新版 All-Star Challenge can be found on聽听辞谤听.
