Major League Soccer's All-Star match is set for Wednesday, featuring a showdown between the league's best and a squad of Liga MX All-Stars at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m.
This match continues the tradition of pitting the two North American leagues against each other, rather than hosting an intra-league exhibition. The game comes during a compressed MLS season, which resumed on July 16 after a break for the World Cup, hosted in North America.
Dean Smith, head coach of Charlotte FC, selected the MLS roster on his home turf. The 29-player lineup was formed through a combination of fan voting, Smith's selections, and picks made by MLS commissioner Don Garber. Among the notable players are Son Heung-min and Thomas Muller, along with Toronto FC's Richie Laryea and three members from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
In the days leading up to the match, there were changes to the roster. Initially included players such as Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul were replaced for various reasons, with both excused for rest.
Liga MX's team consists of 24 players, with Toluca contributing four representatives after recently winning the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cruz Azul has the most players on the squad, with five, while CF Pachuca also fields four.
The match is part of a week-long series of events in Charlotte, including a fan festival and other activities surrounding the game. This format highlights the close relationship between MLS and Liga MX, as player transfers between the leagues are common, and they often compete in continental tournaments.