With 3-1 Win Leiga MX All-stars on Wednesday night, Of mls In the 29th edition of the league’s all-star game, the rights to kill the regional boasies were stolen back.
Done by goals Sam Saraij, Brian White And matches MVP Tai barribo Austin, in front of a packed congestion at the Q2 Stadium in Texas, will go down as a well-worthy success for MLS, in front of the crowd, in front of the crowd, in the evening and throughout the week.
All that said, in a marquee showcase that was the best and brightest with both leagues, a notable lapse: the global superstar Lionel MessiEarlier on Wednesday, MLS Confirmed absence of Inter miami CF Players, as well as team companions Jordan albaDespite being selected for the match. Heading in All-Star Game, Miami Coach Xavier Mantrano Has publicly stated It was not ideal to start him in the exhibition.
“The players are called, I would like they can rest, but it is not my decision,” Masterano said. “I know how important the all-star is [Game] Is, and as far as I know, there is no decision from the club, everything is normal. ,
This is not the first time that a high-profile player or club has not said for the incident. In 2018, La galaxyZlatan Ibrahimovic turned down the opportunity, and this year on the Liga MX side of the competition, there was no facility of selected players in 2025. Leon‘S James Rodriguez Or Cruise azul‘S Eric lira And Carlos RotondiParticipation of Monterine star Sergio Ramos Also, it was not officially confirmed before the night.
Why is this an issue for all-star game? And getting in one with next year’s version World Cup The year, when there will be many eyes on North America, where does a high-profile exhibition go from here?
Schedule crowd
The packed schedule is the most important factor in the vibes under the 2025 event. Both MLS and Leiga MX will not only make a rapid change with regular-season matches at the end of this week, but then also kick your joint Leagus cup Tournament next week. Including League Cup and MLS, Messi & Co. currently stretch nine-game between July 5 and August 6. If they proceed to the league cup, three additional knockout-round games will be played next month.
Keeping this in mind, it is understandable that Mascherano does not want to beat his players.
Miami’s coach also has to manage injuries in his roster, “In the last one and a half months, especially in the last and one and a half months, the intensity of sports has been very high.”
Although not everyone agrees with Mantrano, however. Despite traveling to events during his sports days, six-time MLS All-Star Brian Ching saw his participation as a moment to relax and connect with other important names across the country.
“I always enjoyed the all-star game as it allowed you to meet and play with some best players in the league,” he asked ESPN. “These games are a mental break from the season for everyone because the game is fun to play. No player plays more than half, so it is a practice for them.
“Most players got the opportunity to do something different from their normal week with their teams.”
But this is still not enough to include everyone. When Ibrahimovic missed in 2018, the superstar cited fatigue, and was surprised when he was handed over a game suspension according to the league rules.
,[I] It seems that it is ridiculous, but yes, there is no comment, ” Ibrahimovic said at that time“Whatever they want. I come from a different world; I come from the real world.”
When a one-game suspension for Messi and Alba can come, MLS Commissioner Don Garber said the league “managing through the process as we speak” Ahead of Wednesday’s game, while also accepting that there is a heavy charge that was put on the players.
“Miami had a schedule that is contrary to another team,” he said. “Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami has not done. We had 90 minutes playing Leo in almost all sports. It is nine games in 35 days.”
It is not that facing against Liga MX is a unique opportunity. In the modern era of MLS, there is a increasing number of matches between two leagues, which have demanded to cooperate as often as possible. With league cup, Campions Cup And clashes in Concacaf Champions CupThe all-star game can feel lost in the list of Liga MX-Vs.-Mls.
ESPN’s Hykulez Gomez said, “You already have Campions Cup and you already have a league cup.” “How much is too much and then what are we trying to do here? Does a fan really enjoy [the All-Star Game],
Supporters of the league, especially those who used to do a Messi jersey at the Q2 Stadium, can also think of an all-star game twice.
“This is unfortunate because if you want to expose this product or your products to the rest of the league, it is fine, your greatest property should be there,” Gomez said.
Change the competition format
Getting all players on board is something that the league will have to continue managing in future versions, but what is the format of the competition that may probably appeal more to players and fans?
While the “All-Star” concept itself is a novel for traditional sports in Europe and Latin America, MLS can do more to stand out in an American sports scenario in which there is no shortage of high-profile exhibitions-LIGA MX-VS-MLS lets stand alone in your series of MLS events.
Change will not be a stretch when considering how many times the League has tampered with sports against European Club giants, to forms made, United StatesLeiga MX, and Intralig Battle such as East vs West and MLS USA vs MLS World. And more generally, the League has demonstrated a hunger to experiment with new rules and innovations for global sports.
Apart from the skills challenge, there is a step in the right direction during the All-Star week, but if the MLS wants to redeem a small demographic, Alternative tournament Such as football tournament, Kings League and Baylor League. Invited teams from abroad and celebrities, viral online moments through new rules, all on a small-sided pitch, the material is to use in a game that traditionally pushed back to new ideas that can allow players to show a different side of their character.
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Nicole Back Messi MLS All-Star Snow
Stevy Nicole supported Lionel Messi and Jordan Alba’s decision to leave the MLS All-Star game as the pair faces a match ban for their absence.
“I [definitely] Believe what is lacking in normal football now, personality, in terms of players being able to be themselves, “Baylor League player Josh Herop, a former Manchester United The midfielder told ESPN earlier this year. “I am a big football fan, but I have lost a lot of interest in seeing it, because the game is just, so boring and dry.”
Argument, at least from the league point of view, it can be made that those ideas are already being tested within the skill challenge with events such as goalkeeper warres and crossbar challenge. On Tuesday, US Mains National Team Icon Clint Dempsi, US Women’s National Team Captains like guests Lindsay HeipsLeiga MX Femaanil Star Nikki hernandez And Leiga MX Icon Oribe Paralta also participated in the competition.
Ching, which has a long experience in the all-star game, does not want to see a lot of changes.
The three -time MLS Cup Champion said, “I think this format keeps competitive and entertaining for fans keeping interesting and fun for the players.” “These sports become competitive due to rivalry between the two countries, but both teams get to enjoy the experience of playing with the best.”
Either way, MLS still has much more focus on the North American football landscape before the World Cup year.
“I like all-star game very much. You know, most of the leagues do, [but] How do you get your players to love all-star game? To love the all-star game, your partner, and fans also, “Garber said.” Ninety-nine percent of our League Cup matches are going to be MLS-VS-Liga MX Games, so perhaps it is time for us to develop the format… we will see how it plays. ,
For now, for rival and date 2026 All-Star Games at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, Northern CarolinaThis is to be determined – as all the biggest names of the league will be in appearance.
