The MLS All Star Game is one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year in American football. Held every year, this tournament attracts the attention of many football fans around the world. So what is the MLS All Star Game soccer tournament? What is the history and development of this tournament? Let’s with SEAGames PH 2019 learn about one of these special sporting events in the article below.
What is the MLS All Star Game?
MLS All Star Game is an annual soccer match between the best players of Major League Soccer (MLS) and another famous team in the world. This is a sporting event organized by MLS since 1996 and has become an indispensable part of the tournament’s schedule.
Each year, the MLS All Star team is chosen by both the audience and the coaches of the MLS teams. This match is not only an opportunity for MLS players to show off their talent, but also an opportunity for soccer stars around the world to meet and compete together.
History of formation and development of the MLS All Star Game soccer tournament
The MLS All Star Game was first held in 1996 in East Rutherford, New Jersey with the participation of the MLS All Stars team and the Bolton Wanderers team from England. However, this match is not considered an official MLS event and is only considered a regular friendly match.
Until 2002, the Major League Soccer All-Star Game was considered an official MLS event and was held annually. In the first years, the MLS All Star Game only involved the MLS All Stars team and one other famous team in the world. However, since 2005, the MLS All Star Game has changed the competition format by dividing the MLS All Stars team into two teams, each representing a region of MLS.
During the development process, the MLS All Star Game has had many changes in time and location. From 2003 to 2010, this tournament was held in July or August. However, since 2011, the MLS All Star Game was moved to June to avoid conflicts with the schedule of other tournaments such as World Cup. Cup or Copa America.
MLS All Star Game soccer tournament format
The format of the Major League Soccer All-Star Game has undergone many changes throughout the tournament’s evolution. However, currently, this tournament is organized in a competitive format between the MLS All Stars team and another famous team in the world.
The MLS All Stars team will be chosen by the audience and the coaches of the MLS teams. The selected players will be placed on two teams, each representing a region of MLS. The MLS All Stars team will compete against another famous team in the world, selected by the organizing committee.
In this match, the MLS All Stars team will play according to MLS soccer rules, while the away team will play according to their home country’s soccer rules. The match has a duration of 90 minutes and if the result is a draw after 90 minutes, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout.
MLS All Star Game soccer tournament schedule for the 2024 season
The 2024 season of the MLS All Star Game is expected to take place from June to August 2024. Currently, details about the official schedule of this tournament have not yet been announced. However, it is expected that the match will be held in late July or early August 2024.
List of players participating in the MLS All Star Game football tournament
The list of players participating in the MLS All Star Game soccer tournament will be announced after the end of the 2022-2023 season. However, it is expected that famous soccer stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham or Thierry Henry will participate in the MLS All Stars team.
Interesting records and statistics about the MLS All Star Game soccer tournament
During its organization, the Major League Soccer All-Star Game recorded many interesting records and statistics. Here are some notable highlights about this tournament:
- The MLS All Stars team has won 10 matches, drawn 4 matches and lost 8 matches throughout the tournament’s history.
- In the years from 2005 to 2012, the MLS All Star Game was able to win consecutively against famous teams such as Chelsea, Celtic, West Ham United and Everton.
- Player Landon Donovan is the person who has scored the most goals in Major League Soccer All-Star Game history with 6 goals.
- In 2017, the match between MLS All Stars and Real Madrid attracted more than 61,000 spectators in Chicago, USA, becoming the Major League Soccer All-Star Game match with the largest audience in history.
The best teams and players in the history of the MLS All Star Game soccer tournament
Throughout the history of the MLS All Star Game, many excellent teams and players have participated and left a special mark in this tournament. Below are some of the teams and players considered the best in MLS All Star Game history:
> See more: What is MLS?
The best team
- LA Galaxy: This team has participated 7 times and won 4 times, is the team with the best record in MLS All Star Game history.
- New York Red Bulls: This team has also participated 7 times and won 3 times, second only to LA Galaxy in terms of wins.
- DC United: This team has participated 8 times and won 2 times, ranking third in the number of wins.
Best players
- Landon Donovan: With 6 goals scored throughout Major League Soccer All-Star Game history, Landon Donovan is considered the best player of this tournament.
- Thierry Henry: The French player has participated 5 times and scored 3 goals, and is also the only player from Europe selected to the MLS All Stars team in 2013.
- David Beckham: The English star has participated 3 times and scored 2 goals, and is also the only foreign player ever selected for the MLS All Stars team in 2011.
The future of the MLS All Star Game soccer tournament
With the continuous development of the MLS soccer tournament, it is expected that the MLS All Star Game will continue to be held and become an attractive sporting event of the year for American soccer. In particular, with MLS increasingly attracting many excellent players from around the world, this tournament will have the opportunity to develop and attract the attention of more people.
Conclude
Major League Soccer All-Star Game is a special and attractive sporting event not only for American football fans but also football lovers around the world. With an interesting history and development process, this tournament has been and is an indispensable part of the MLS soccer tournament schedule. Hopefully in the future, the MLS All Star Game will continue to grow and become an even bigger sporting event.