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USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
MLS All-Star Game vs. Liga MX: Why Mexican league crossover is priority for MLS
The 2025 MLS All-Star Game is Wednesday, July 23 in Austin, Texas, with the best in MLS taking on the Liga MX All-Stars at Q2 Stadium. It's the fourth time in five years that MLS has chosen an All-Star team from Mexico's top flight as its All-Star Game opponent, and it's not hard to see why. There is a longstanding soccer rivalry between the countries at the national team level, and that extends to club play. MLS vs. Liga MX matches have often been fiery and dramatic, and there's no more reliable method for each league to test itself than by facing its next-door neighbor. The links between the two leagues go deeper than that, though, with MLS and Liga MX openly discussing ideas on how the two sides could go closer. The Leagues Cup — a competition invented by MLS and Liga MX involving 18 teams from both — kicks off in six days, and despite gripes on both side of the Rio Grande, it is the most concrete evidence that both sides want to develop this partnership further. Ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, here's what to know about the ties between MLS and Liga MX: MLS All-Star Game: Major League Soccer adds six players to All-Star roster: Who made the list? MLS, Liga MX driven together by geography Wednesday's All-Star Game is far from the first time MLS and Liga MX have collaborated. Over the last decade, the two biggest leagues in Concacaf (the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean), have actively sought opportunities to work together, whether on or off the field. There is a long-standing rivalry between U.S. and Mexican soccer dating back to the U.S. men's national team emerging as a threat to El Tri's decades as the region's lone hegemon in the 1990s. While clashes between MLS and Liga MX clubs in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the now-defunct Superliga, and the Leagues Cup have often come with acrimony, the two leagues have found plenty of common cause. Generally speaking, each of FIFA's six confederations has its own competition, with invitees to continental club championships very uncommon. MLS and Liga MX are two of the only leagues to enjoy such treatment, with Mexico most notably granted entries into South America's Copa Libertadores from 1998-2016. MLS and Liga MX teams were also granted sporadic places in the Copa Sudamericana — CONMEBOL's second-tier international tournament — in the early 2000s, and in the Copa Merconorte (a forerunner to the Copa Sudamericana) as well. However, MLS's last participation in CONMEBOL play came in 2007, and with a clogged schedule and immense travel required, there is no reason to expect that to change. The world's most prominent club competition, the UEFA Champions League, has at no point shown an inclination towards inviting participants to fly across the Atlantic, with the distances involved making such a move a non-starter. The realities of economics and population size hampering the attempts of other Concacaf leagues to provide serious competition. This didn't used to be the case, but in recent years a gap has become clear: in the last four years only four teams from outside MLS and Liga MX have reached the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals, none of whom moved on to the semifinals. In 2025, MLS and Liga MX teams won 11 of 12 total meetings with teams from other leagues. That leaves MLS and Liga MX in a difficult spot in terms of closing down the financial gaps with the giants of European and South American soccer. While both leagues are seen as offering superior top-to-bottom strength as compared to most leagues worldwide, Europe's strongest divisions in particular are still a long way off. As long as that's the case, there is a ceiling in terms of audience and access to sponsors that will hold both MLS and Liga MX back. Without an on-field competition that could give the kind of economic lift needed to gain ground on Europe's most powerful leagues — all of which are easily streamed by viewers in the U.S. and Mexico — gaining further ground has proven very difficult. MLS, Liga MX have long sought closer ties With circumstances driving the two rival leagues together, both MLS and Liga MX have shown an interest in working together, even when that has required outside-the-box thinking. An All-Star Game is an easy win; it's an exhibition that requires little in terms of FIFA or Concacaf approval. It's on other fronts where things have gotten a bit more interesting. Essentially, MLS looks with envy on Liga MX's long-standing cultural heft, with the Mexican top flight drawing TV ratings comparable to the Premier League. For MLS, getting the Liga MX audience to regularly watch and attend the top league in the U.S. and Canada is an obvious move. Liga MX sides, meanwhile, see the financial stability and business practices in MLS as a model to follow. It's not so much for giants like Club América, Tigres, or Chivas Guadalajara, but rather to lift the league's floor. Liga MX teams have long been willing to spend big, but there have also been more examples of teams folding, moving, or running into other issues that MLS has largely avoided over the last 20 years. MLS and Liga MX have both been comfortable enough over the idea of working together that chatter over a possible merger has bubbled up from time to time. While concrete steps haven't been taken, the two leagues have looked at various ways to work together. The Leagues Cup — a summer tournament featuring every Liga MX club and a varying number of MLS sides — is the most concrete current example, with the two organizations using that competition to introduce Lionel Messi as an Inter Miami player in 2023. The tournament has drawn some criticism in both nations, with U.S.-based fans voicing a preference for the domestic U.S. Open Cup after MLS attempted to unilaterally withdraw from that event in part to open space on the calendar. Liga MX fans, meanwhile, have been frustrated that the tournament is played in the U.S. only. Last year, Domè Torrent (who currently coaches Monterrey, but was in charge with Atlético San Luis at the time) called Leagues Cup "a joke of a competition" over the travel and weather conditions Liga MX teams had to endure. Nevertheless, the Leagues Cup has garnered plenty of media and fan attention in both nations, with the intensity and caliber of play impossible to completely dismiss. MLS and Liga MX executives remain bullish over the competition, even as it was modified in 2025 to only include 18 MLS teams. "I think we need more MLS versus Liga MX matches," said Garber in December. "We're looking at modifications that will, I think, make it more focused on what it is that we're trying to achieve, which is this great rivalry between our two leagues." In other words, the leagues are very likely going to keep seeking ways to increase their connections. MLS All-Star Game history vs. Liga MX Here is a list of times the MLS All-Star Game has paired a selection of Major League Soccer stars against a team of Liga MX All-Stars. MLS All-Star Game: Where have opponents come from? Once Wednesday's game kicks off, MLS will have played an All-Star Game in 29 of its 30 seasons, only skipping 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, while the format for the game has largely been a straightforward 90-minute game with penalty kicks to break ties, the league has rotated between numerous options in terms of finding two teams to put on the field. Here is where MLS All-Star Game opponents have come from over the years: MLS All-Star Game 2025: Time, TV, streaming, how to watch The 2025 MLS All-Star Game is set for Wednesday, July 23, with kickoff scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. USA TODAY Sports' 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Chucky' Lozano set for reunion with Pachuca
Hirving "Chucky" Lozano is gearing up to face the club where he was born, Pachuca, in San Diego FC's debut in the Leagues Cup 2025. From Austin, Texas, the Mexican striker expressed his excitement: 'It's going to be a very special moment, Pachuca is my home'. The attacker fondly remembered his time with the Tuzos, where he began his career before emigrating to Europe. Now, from the MLS, he considers this duel as an opportunity to reconnect with his roots and face a team that marked his football life. Additionally, he praised the growth of the Leagues Cup, stating that 'it's an international tournament, it always has a plus' and highlighted the growing interest of the clubs. Lozano believes that the competition will be key to strengthening football in Mexico and the United States. The match between Pachuca and San Diego FC will be played on Tuesday, July 29th at 9:00 PM at the Snapdragon Stadium, and beyond the result, promises to be a match full of emotions for the 'Chucky'. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Orlando Ramirez - 2025 Getty Images
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
When Is The 2025 MLS All-Star Game? Times And Watch Guide
CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring a ... More goal in the first half during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) The 2025 edition of the MLS All-Star Game will feature the league's best players playing the best of Liga MX, marking the fourth time in five years the North American soccer leagues will compete against one another in the annual event. The match on Wednesday begins at 9 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass in the Apple TV app. This year marks the third season to feature MLS matches airing exclusively on Apple, which in 2022 signed a 10-year agreement with MLS at a reported $2.5 billion price tag. The All-Star match, which will be available for free in the front of the subscription paywall, will also be available for Xfinity customers for free on Xfinity X1 and the Xfinity Stream app. Xfinity Internet customers can view the All-Star Game for free within the Apple TV app on Apple TV, the Xfinity Xumo Stream Box or other streaming devices and smart televisions. The match will air in over 100 countries and regions in English, Spanish and French. Meanwhile, the All-Star Game will be held at Q2 Stadium, home of Major League Soccer's Austin FC, which joined the league in 2021. Among the MLS All-Star participants is Inter Miami FC star forward Lionel Messi, who is currently tied as the league's leading goalscorer (18) with fellow All-Star and Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge. Messi, who signed with Inter Miami in mid-2023, is the fifth highest-paid athlete in the world, per Forbes. Other Eastern Conference All-Stars include Philadelphia Union forward Tai Baribo, who has 14 goals and two assists at the halfway point in 2025, as well as FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander, who is in his first season in the Queen City, and Columbus Crew forward Diego Rossi, who has one of the top 10 selling jerseys in MLS. Some of the Western Conference All-Stars include San Diego FC forward Anders Dreyer, the league-leader in assists (15) and one of three participants from the expansion club, Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who has eight clean sheets his season, and LAFC forward Denis Bouanga, who has 13 goals and seven assists. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC have a league-high four players participating in the All-Star Game, followed by Nashville and San Diego at three (find a complete MLS All-Star roster here). Twenty-nine Liga MX All-Stars are representing 11 different teams in the All-Star Game. Among the Liga MX participants are Tigres UANL forward Juan Brunetta, who was named the 2024 MLS All-Star Game MVP, and Toluca striker Paulinho, who was the Liga MX leading goalscorer a year ago with 14 tallies (find a complete Liga MX All-Star roster here). The All-Star Skills Challenge is Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET at Q2 Stadium. Like the MLS All-Star Game, this event will also be free via MLS Season Pass in the Apple TV app and for Xfinity Internet customers. Ten different All-Stars from both MLS and Liga MX will compete across five challenges, including shooting, touch, passing, crossbar and cross and volley. MLS and Liga MX players will compete on behalf of the 4ATX Foundation and MAS Cultura charities, which will receive $25,000 donations.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Win everything' - Title target Lionel Messi allows Inter Miami to set as MLS Cup hopefuls prepare to add Leagues Cup action to stacked schedule
Inter Miami aiming to win Leagues Cup title alongside MLS Cup Have played five MLS matches in last 15 days Messi brace helped the Herons beat NY Red Bulls 5-1 Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? Inter Miami have had a hectic schedule in July, having played five MLS games in the last 15 days. On Saturday, they thrashed New York Red Bulls 5-1 courtesy of braces from Messi and Telasco Segovia, while Jordi Alaba also found the back of the net. THE BIGGER PICTURE The hectic schedule, however, has not deterred the Herons' ambition of winning multiple titles, as they aim to secure their second Leagues Cup crown while also cherishing their dream of lifting their maiden MLS Cup. Miami are scheduled to play three Leagues Cup group stage matches between July 31 and August 7. WHAT SEGOVIA SAID Speaking to reporters after the win over New York Red Bulls, Segovia said of chasing down multiple honours: "Yeah, because we have the best in the world, the best of all time – Lionel Messi, and we're ready to fight for and win everything. That's soccer. There are no excuses. We'll recover well, now we have a week off until the next game, and we're good, and we showed it today." WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI? Before embarking on their Leagues Cup journey, Inter Miami will face FC Cincinnati in an MLS clash on July 27.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
📝 Rayados win away at Atlético San Luis
As part of matchday 2 of the Mexican tournament, San Luis fell at home to Monterrey by the narrowest Rayados came into the match eager for revenge after being thrashed and exposed in their tournament debut. San Luis aimed to secure 6 points out of 6 contested but couldn't capitalize on the home advantage and let valuable points slip away at the start of the competition. Before the Liga MX pauses for teams to compete in the Leagues Cup, San Luis will face a tough challenge against Chivas, while Monterrey will play at home against Atlas. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Leopoldo Smith - 2025 Getty Images
