Football General Manager
The MLS All Star Game is more than just the dividing line in the middle of the season. It’s one of those events that gives a league caught in between continents a distinct American appeal.
Want something to keep the OGs happy, and secure a sense of American authenticity? How about a reinterpretation of the kind of classic annual checkpoint on the calendar in every other major sport in the United States?
It has always been an interesting checkpoint, and a chance for MLS to position itself in the North American market. At times, it has pitted the league against European opposition. At others, it has offered the closest thing MLS could provide to a direct rivalry with Liga MX.
This year, MLS All-Stars will again face their Liga MX counterparts. But with Leagues Cup becoming more relevant and MLS developing a more global appeal, where does the All Star Game – as a fixture – stand?
And how might the involvement of a certain Lionel Messi – who was voted to the team by fans, and could make his MLS ASG debut – change the perception?
Messi and Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba were absent from Monday’s ASG training session. MLS All-Star coach Nicolás Estevez was cautious when asked about Messi’s potential participation saying, “That’s a question for his club. I just coach and use the players I’m given. I hope so – I’m very optimistic and I hope he can be there."
BALLGM US writers debate the state of the MLS All Star game in the latest edition of … The Rondo.
The MLS All Star Game is more than just the dividing line in the middle of the season. It’s one of those events that gives a league caught in between continents a distinct American appeal.
Want something to keep the OGs happy, and secure a sense of American authenticity? How about a reinterpretation of the kind of classic annual checkpoint on the calendar in every other major sport in the United States?
It has always been an interesting checkpoint, and a chance for MLS to position itself in the North American market. At times, it has pitted the league against European opposition. At others, it has offered the closest thing MLS could provide to a direct rivalry with Liga MX.
This year, MLS All-Stars will again face their Liga MX counterparts. But with Leagues Cup becoming more relevant and MLS developing a more global appeal, where does the All Star Game – as a fixture – stand?
And how might the involvement of a certain Lionel Messi – who was voted to the team by fans, and could make his MLS ASG debut – change the perception?
Messi and Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba were absent from Monday’s ASG training session. MLS All-Star coach Nicolás Estevez was cautious when asked about Messi’s potential participation, saying, “That’s a question for his club. I just coach and use the players I’m given. I hope so – I’m very optimistic and I hope he can be there.”
BALLGM US writers debate the state of the MLS All Star game in the latest edition of … The Rondo.
Tom Hindle: It’s hugely significant. This is not a case of “MLS All Stars are coming to town!” it’s a case of “Messi is coming to town.” The impact he has on any sports market is huge, and this will be no different. As for the embracing of things… Well, Messi has never truly embraced MLS at all. He limits his media appearances, and isn’t exactly the figurehead of American soccer that he could – or should – be. The ASG has been no different thus far.
Jacob Schneider: It’s going to be momentous for MLS. Having a global superstar represent you on behalf of the entire league really is a big deal. It’s a moment in which he will truly represent the badge of MLS, not just Inter Miami.
Ryan Tolmich: It’s extremely significant because, truthfully, he’s the only reason some people are going to watch. It’s not exactly a secret, but Messi is bigger than any All-Star Game, and his presence on the field gives it value and legitimizes the event because. That said, does Messi actually care? Does he see it that way? All-Star Games are certainly not his style but, for the sake of MLS, it has to be this week as they look to capitalize on the biggest of stars – once again.
TH: Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos. Obviously.
JS: For MLS, of course, it’s Messi. But on Liga MX, it’s Henry Martin or Alexis Vega. The Mexico internationals are brilliant attackers, and on their best day, two of the best forwards in all of North America. Eyes will also be on Alex Zendejas, too, as he vies for a USMNT roster spot at the 2026 World Cup.
RT: For MLS, it seems to be the year of Diego Luna, and you can certainly count on him being one of the few players to take this opportunity very seriously. Every All-Star Game needs a few guys who will treat it like any other game, and Luna is one who certainly will. For Liga MX, the eyes of the world should be on Gilberto Mora, the Mexican national team’s 16-year-old starlet fresh off a start in the Gold Cup final. This is another memorable step for him, another opportunity to show what he can do against some of the region’s best.
TH: How about pens needed to separate the two teams in 2021? That felt a bit silly, but Ricardo Pepi properly enjoyed burying that winner – against an all-Mexican team, no less.
JS: Pep Guardiola’s “meltdown” in 2014. He refused to shake Caleb Porter’s hand after the match, primarily because of a terrible 89th minute tackle from Will Johnson on Bastian Schweinsteiger. It left the German star with an ankle injury, and Guardiola was furious. It was a moment that showed the ASG was, at one point, extremely competitive – and that both managers and players viewed it as a competition. Also, a feisty Pep is always fun.
RT: There’s only one answer, and it’s for largely the wrong reasons. Yes, it was that 2014 edition. MLS All-Stars, led by Bradley Wright-Phillips and Landon Donovan, took down Bayern Munich in a hard-fought and unusually physical clash in Portland – and then Guardiola snubbed Porter for that handshake. It was the perfect mash-up of chaos, starpower and storylines, creating a moment that still stands out among the league’s All-Star history.
TH: Certainly, but what can you really do about that? Sport is now an athlete-based economy, with less and less focus on teams – never mind leagues. Not so sure many people care if MLS do or don’t beat Liga MX. Don’t care about any other ASGs across other sports, either. But hey, it’s fun for the vibes.
JS: Not really losing importance, per se, but losing the competitive edge. Which is OK. Really, it’s OK. Promise. The ASG in every other American sport is supposed to be fun and entertaining. Even though this is MLS against Liga MX, the ASG should be viewed as casual yet slightly competitive fun. Try that rabona, do some skill moves, hit a bike attempt. It’s a celebration, not a cup final – and that is perfectly OK. Viewing it as such is OK, too.
RT: Yes, and this is a cross-sport problem. For years, the All-Star game was a chance to watch the very best, but we now have that chance every week. On any given weekend, fans can throw on an Inter Miami game and watch Messi play. They don’t need to wait for an All-Star Game or a national TV moment. Every player is at every fans’ fingertips, all the time – be it Messi, Shohei Ohtani or LeBron James. Because of that, these events have lost their luster, leading to some of the more chaotic changes of recent years.
TH: It should be quite a good game. But you can never, ever, ever, ever bet against Lionel Messi. MLS, 3-2.
JS: Liga MX will win in penalties after a 4-4 regulation draw. Messi will score twice, but it won’t be enough, as Mexico go back-to-back.
RT: MLS, as a league, will be eager to put last year in the rearview after a 4-1 battering. This year should be closer, particularly when you factor in Messi’s. Let’s go with a 3-2 MLS win, one that is a little bit harder fought than many would anticipate.
