The MLS All-Star Game is finally here! Not only will fans get to see Major League Soccer's best players in one roster, but lovers of the beautiful game will witness that team, led by Wayne Rooney, go head-to-head with English giants Arsenal at Audi Field.
All eyes will be on the Gunners following their bitter-sweet 2022/23 Premier League campaign. The North London giants were surprise title challengers last season and sealed their much-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League; however, a sense of disappointment marred their campaign after losing the league to Manchester City in the final few weeks.
However, Mikel Arteta's side have strengthened since then, adding Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber to their roster since then. The English midfielder and Dutch center-back could make their debuts, though likely off the bench, which will excite Arsenal fans.
The acquisition of Rice has been celebrated, and for obvious reasons, as the Gunners have added one of the most talented midfielders in the world to their roster. However, it will be interesting to see how Arteta fits both the former West Ham captain and Havertz into a starting eleven that already boasts Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard.
Kai already made his Arsenal debut after coming on in the second half of their pre-season friendly against Nurnberg in Germany. The German ace did not impress during his second-half cameo but that is understandable as he will need time to settle in and adapt to his new teammates.
That game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Bukayo Saka getting on the scoresheet before being taken off at half-time while a blunder at the back from young goalkeeper Karl Hein gifted the 2. Bundesliga side an equalizer.
This was the second consecutive draw Arteta's men have suffered, playing out a 1-1 stalemate in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford as well. However, a trip to the USA is when the Gunners came to life last summer. Could something similar happen again this year?
The MLS All-Star team, on the other hand, will look to continue their impressive run in this fixture, with Wayne Rooney overseeing things from the dugout. The English icon, who is now the manager of D.C. United, has a history of tormenting Arsenal from his days as a Manchester United player and will thus be aiming to add another chapter to that book.
Rooney's side are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, which isn't overly impressive, but his extensive knowledge of English football should help the All-Star maintain their current winning streak.
This event, which started off as an East vs. West showdown, has expanded to feature Mexican and European clubs. The last two editions saw the MLS All-Star team lock horns with the Liga MX All-Star team, with the USA top-flight players emerging victorious on both occasions.
Additionally, while the MLS All-Star Team lost the four All-Star games prior to COVID-19, which includes a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal back in 2016, the hosts have overcome European opposition before in this one-off fixture.
In back-to-back events, the home side, albeit with different players, beat Bayern Munich (in 2014) and Tottenham (in 2015). However, Rooney's men have already gone to battle with Arteta's players, facing off in an interesting MLS All-Star Skills Challenge. The Gunners emerged triumphant, meaning Hany Mukhtar and Co. will be out for revenge.
Team news
Arsenal
Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe did not travel with the rest of the squad to the USA and while they are expected to join up with the team, both are unlikely to feature in this tie. Additionally, Reiss Nelson picked up an injury in Germany and will sit this one out while Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Gabriel Martinelli face a race against the clock to recover in time. Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber will likely get a few minutes on the pitch, as will Kai Havertz, as fans continue searching for his best position in Arteta's lineup.
Here is Arsenal's roster for the MLS All-Star Game:
Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale, Alex Rúnarsson, and Karl Hein
Defenders: William Saliba, Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhães, Jurriën Timber, Jakub Kiwior, Rob Holding, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Auston Trusty
Midfielders: Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Jorginho, Fábio Vieira, Mohamed Elneny, Kai Havertz, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Declan Rice, Amario Cozier-Duberry, Emile Smith Rowe, and Thomas Partey
Forwards: Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Folarin Balogun, and Marquinhos
MLS All-Star Team
The All-Star Team comprises 28 players. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi did not make the cut as he was only recently unveiled as an Inter Miami player. There are a ton of familiar names in this roster, which was chosen by Wayne Rooney, fan voting, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Christian Benteke and Riqui Puig, formerly of Liverpool and Barcelona respectively, could feature but there are a handful of MLS stars who could also steal the show such as Thiago Almada, Hany Mukhtar, and Dénis Bouanga.
Here is the MLS All-Star Team roster:
Voted in by fans: Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Jesus Ferreira (DAL), Jordan Morris (SEA), Luciano Acosta (CIN), Thiago Almada (ATL), Aidan Morris (CLB), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Alvaro Barreal (CIN), Jon Gallagher (ATX), Matt Miazga (CIN), Walker Zimmerman (NSH), and Roman Burki (STL)
Selected by Wayne Rooney: Christian Benteke (DC), Cristian Espinoza (SJ), Giorgos Giakoumakis (ATL), Carles Gil (NE), Hector Herrera (HOU), Riqui Puig (LA), Lucas Zelarayan (CLB), Jakob Glesnes (PHI), Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC), Tim Parker (STL), John Tolkin (RBNY), Tyler Miller (DC), Djordje Petrovic (NE), Jose Martinez (PHI)
Selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber: Kei Kamara (CHI), Mathieu Choinere (MTL)
Broadcast listings
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
