2021 MLS All-Star Game

The 2021 Major League Soccer All-Star Game is the upcoming 25th edition of the annual Major League Soccer All-Star Game, an exhibition soccer match in the United States. The game, which will feature the MLS All-Stars taking on a team of all-star players from Liga MX, is expected to take place in July 2021 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

2021 MLS All-Star Game
Event2021 Major League Soccer season
MLS All-Stars Liga MX All-Stars
DateTBD 2021
VenueBanc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

The game was originally scheduled to take place on July 29, 2020, during the 2020 season, but was postponed on May 19, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The game is expected to be televised domestically on ESPN and UniMás in the United States, and on TSN and TVA Sports in Canada.

Match planning

The Major League Soccer All-Star Game originally fielded two all-star teams from the Western and Eastern conferences, but was later contested against European clubs during their pre-season tours.[1] An exhibition between the MLS All-Stars and an all-star team from Liga MX, the top flight of Mexican soccer, was proposed in the mid-2010s as part of a closer relationship between the leagues.[2] Officials from MLS and Liga MX announced a new partnership in March 2018, including new club competitions like the Campeones Cup and Leagues Cup, and a commitment for a shared all-star game.[3][4] Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla attended the 2018 MLS All-Star Game in Atlanta with MLS commissioner Don Garber, where they continued discussions for the match, including a potential venue in the Los Angeles area.[5]

On November 20, 2019, MLS officially announced that the game would be played against the Liga MX All-Stars at Banc of California Stadium, the home of Los Angeles FC. It is the first to be played against an all-star team from another league.[6] LAFC head coach Bob Bradley was selected as the manager of the MLS All-Star team.[6] It is the first MLS All-Star Game to be played in the Los Angeles area since 2003, which was hosted by the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, now known as Dignity Health Sports Park.[6][1]

On May 19, 2020, MLS announced that the All-Star Game would be canceled alongside the 2020 Leagues Cup and 2020 Campeones Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] The league later announced that the All-Star Game would be rescheduled for the 2021 season in Los Angeles, with the MLS All-Stars against the Liga MX All-Stars.[8]

Match rules

Match
MLS All-Stars TBD Liga MX All-Stars

References
  1. Baxter, Kevin (November 18, 2019). "MLS All-Stars will play top Liga MX players next summer at Banc of California Stadium". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  2. Marshall, Tom (January 4, 2017). "Chivas in finals and an All-Star game with MLS cap Liga MX wish list for 2017". ESPN. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  3. Parker, Graham (March 15, 2018). "The MLS-Liga MX partnership could alter soccer's North American trajectory". The Guardian. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  4. Creditor, Avi (March 13, 2018). "MLS, Liga MX Join Forces for Campeones Cup, Future All-Star Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  5. McIntyre, Doug (November 20, 2019). "MLS, Liga MX will square off in 2020 All-Star game in Los Angeles". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  6. "MLS vs. Liga MX: 2020 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target heads to LA". Major League Soccer. November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  7. "Major League Soccer Provides Updates on All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 19, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  8. Harris, Jack (May 19, 2020). "MLS cancels All-Star game scheduled to be held in Los Angeles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  9. "The complete beginner's guide to the 2017 MLS All-Star Game". MLSsoccer.com. April 11, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
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