مدير عام كرة القدم
- Dempsey joins Skills Challenge roster
- USWNT star Lindsey Heaps also participating
- Nashville’s Mukhtar and Surridge among ASG additions
U.S. legend Clint Dempsey was also known for his crafty technical ability during his playing days, which spanned between 2004-2018. He’ll get a chance to show if he’s still got it next Tuesday in MLS All-Star Skills Challenge in Austin, Texas.
He will be joined by some of the best talent in MLS, Liga MX, Liga MX Femenil, and the USWNT in the competition, which is comprised of five head-to-head contests showcasing ball control, accuracy, strategy, and teamwork.
Joining him is OL Lyonnais standout and U.S. women’s national team mainstay Lindsey Heaps, whose creative flair and World Cup-winning résumé make her a marquee addition to the lineup. Representing Mexico are Olympic gold medalist and longtime LIGA MX striker Oribe Peralta, along with Mexico women’s tational team defender Nicki Hernández, who currently plays for Club América.
MLS standouts Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), and Evander (FC Cincinnati) headline the 2025 All-Star Skills Challenge roster, which features players selected for their elite ability in shooting, touch, and passing. The group spans nine different clubs across the league.
Four MLS participants – Evander, Luna, Bouanga, and Jordi Alba – return to the Skills Challenge stage, while six others are set to make their debuts: Sebastian Berhalter, Anders Dreyer, Alex Freeman, Sam Surridge, Brad Stuver, and Yohei Takaoka. MLS and LIGA MX will compete on behalf of 4ATX Foundation and MAS Cultura, resulting in $25,000 donations to their respective charities.
In addition to announcing the Skills Challenge roster, MLS also made six additions to its roster of All-Stars, who are set to face the Liga MX All-Stars in its showpiece event on Wednesday. These moves are to account for player departures, such Patrick Agyemang’s recent move from Charlotte FC to Derby, along with injuries.
The additions for MLS All-Star manager Nico Estévez include Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Marco Pašalić (Orlando City), Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes), and Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders).
Gil earns his third All-Star nod – he has 15 goal contributions this season and ranks among the league’s all-time assist leaders. Mukhtar, a four-time All-Star, has 10 goals and eight assists in 2025 and leads MLS in total goal contributions since 2020. Surridge, amid a breakout campaign, has 16 goals in 22 matches.
Espinoza returns for his second All-Star appearance, with 11 assists and four goals this season. Pašalić is a new addition to MLS and has made an immediate impact since joining Orlando, scoring 10 goals and adding four assists. Vargas, one of the league’s brightest young talents, has started every match for Seattle this year and debuted for Mexico’s senior national team in 2024.
MLS is looking to improve its 1-2 record against Liga MX in the Skills Challenge while building on its 2-1 record in the All-Star Game against its rival league. Last season, the MLS All-Stars lost 4-1 loss to the Liga MX All-Stars in the main event.
This year, with Liga MX bringing long-time soccer legends such as Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez, the stakes are higher. MLS will be boosted, though, by the expected first appearance of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi in the competition.
The league kicks off the All-Star week with events this weekend in Austin. The MLS Next All-Star game is Monday, followed by Skills Challenge on Tuesday and then the All-Star Game on Wednesday.
