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With goals from Carlos Vela and Raul Ruidiaz, the MLS All-Stars held off the Liga MX All-Stars for the second straight year, securing a 2-1 victory in the 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target on Wednesday night at Allianz Field.

The MLS All-Stars got the party started early with Vela heading home a cross from LAFC teammate Diego Palacios in the third minute. The Black & Gold's left back showcased his skill by chopping a Liga MX defender before serving in a perfectly-placed ball to his forward on the back post.

Liga MX pushed to find an equalizer before the halftime break, with their best chance coming from Juan Dinenno in the 44th minute. The Pumas UNAM striker elevated for a header after receiving a cross from Juan Escobar inside the 18-yard box. He connected well, directing the ball to the lower left corner, but Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair pushed the attempt wide in front of his home supporters' section.

Ruidiaz added to the MLS All-Stars' lead in the second half through a penalty kick after New England Revolution playmaker Carles Gil wiggled his way through the Liga MX defense after receiving a pass from FC Dallas forward Jesus Ferreira. The Seattle Sounders FC striker made no mistake in the 73rd minute.

Liga MX pulled one back in the 85th minute when Kevin Álvarez blasted a shot from outside the box that zoomed past New York City FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Mexico national team forward Alexis Vega was credited with the assist, but the comeback attempt proved futile as MLS celebrated a win for a second straight year.

Goals

• 3' – MLS – Carlos Vela
• 73' — MLS — Raul Ruidiaz
• 85' — Liga MX — Kevin Álvarez

Three Things

• THE BIG PICTURE: It was an electric evening, with the MLS All-Stars claiming bragging rights over the Liga MX All-Stars for the second year in a row. MLS won the first iteration on penalty kicks in 2021 at LAFC's Banc of California Stadium. MLS Commissioner Don Garber hinted it might be the last time we see these two leagues face off in an All-Star match, but in 2023 an expanded Leagues Cup will be introduced, where all of the clubs from MLS and Liga MX will compete in an annual, month-long tournament.
• MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The game-winner from Vela in the third minute. The LAFC duo of Vela and Palacios showcased their league-leading quality with a clinical cross and header combination.
• ALL-STAR GAME MVP: Dayne St. Clair earned MVP on the night by making four saves in front of his home fans.

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The Max + Vince Podcast hit the road this week. The guys are out at the MLS All-Star Game in Minnesota. It was a busy few days but the guys found time to record a podcast with special guest Ilie Sanchez from a very secret location. But before we get to the two-time All-Star, Max and Vince talk about what's been going on around the Club. LAFC has won five straight matches and announced the signing of Denis Bouanga as its third Designated Player. Max and Vince give their impressions of the new signing and what to expect. They also preview the quick homestand against Charlotte FC and D.C. United, as LAFC looks to create even more space at the top of the Supporters' Shield standings. After that, it's off to the secret location at MLS All-Star to chat with Ilie. Connor Kalopsis of 110 Football fills in for Max, who was prepping for the Skills Challenge. Ilie speaks about the honor of playing in an All-Star Game, why he wishes he was in the Skills Competition, and how much he's seen the league grow since he first arrived.

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Major League Soccer on Monday unveiled the jersey for the 2022 MLS All-Stars when they meet the best of Liga MX in the 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target.

All-Star Jersey

This year’s All-Star Game kit is a celebration of the host state of Minnesota. A dark grey base serves as the canvas and is accompanied by color shift iridescent trims and branding that celebrate the northern light. A raised silicon execution of the state of Minnesota on the jock tag a "MN 22" wing on the back neck are both executed in zenith blue. An elegant Henley collar rounds out the kit.

The All-Star jerseys are available for purchase now at MLSstore.com and adidas.com and will be available at select retail stores in the Twin Cities area in the coming weeks and in-stadium on matchday.

All-Star Game

The 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target takes place on August 10 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota. The match features MLS versus Liga MX and will be broadcast in the U.S. on FS1 and Univision, in Canada on TSN and TVA Sports. Learn more

LAFC and Major League Soccer today announced that Carlos Vela, Ilie Sánchez, and Diego Palacios were among the 26 players honored as Major League Soccer unveiled the complete roster for the 2022 MLS All-star Game presented by Target. 

LAFC holds the best record in MLS and is leading the race for the Supporters’ Shield, and along with NYCFC boasts a league-high three players on the 2022 All-Star roster.

For the second consecutive season, the MLS All-Stars will take on the best of LIGA MX on August 10 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Allianz Filed in Minnesota and will be broadcast live on ESPN and Univision in the U.S., TSN and TVA Sports in Canada, on ESPN throughout Mexico and Latin America, and in more than 190 countries around the world. Tickets are available at MLSsoccer.com/All-Star or by clicking here.

This is the fourth MLS All-Star selection for Vela, who has six goals and eight assists in 17 games this season. Vela recently became the third fastest player in the league to reach 100 combined goals (62) and assists (48) in 98 appearances. The 2019 MLS MVP, Vela is the fastest player to reach 20 goals in a season and is the highest scoring Mexican player in MLS history. 

The Mexican international owns the MLS single-season scoring record, scoring 34 goals and registering 15 assists in 2019. Vela has scored 64 goals and provided 37 assists for LAFC across all competitions. In his two MLS All-Star Game appearances, Vela captained the side against 2017-18 Serie A champions Juventus and Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Ilie Sánchez will be making his second appearance in the MLS All-Star Game, after receiving the honor in 2018 with Sporting Kansas city. Sánchez has been in instrumental in leading LAFC to the best record in the league, and leads LAFC in minutes (1,587), completed passes (797) and interceptions (31). The Barcelona, Spain native has helped lead LAFC to the best goal differential (+17) in MLS.  

This season, Sánchez has made 19 appearances, registering one goal earning MLS Team of The Week honors for weeks 1, 3, and 5. 

Diego Palacios is making his first MLS All-Star appearance. The 23 -year-old has been an essential part of LAFC back line since joining the Club in 2019.  

This season, Palacios has scored one goal and made three assists and leads LAFC defenders in interceptions (27), and key passes (16). He scored his first MLS goal on June 26 and earned MLS Team of the Week honors for Weeks 9 and 16.

Major League Soccer today announced that the 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target will feature the MLS All-Stars taking on a team of All-Stars from Mexico’s top soccer league, LIGA MX.

Hosted at Allianz Field, home of Minnesota United, on August 10, the game will be a rematch of the 2021 All-Star Game when the MLS All-Stars, knotted 1-1 at the end of regulation, defeated the LIGA MX All-Stars in penalty kicks courtesy of two jaw-dropping saves by New England goalkeeper Matt Turner and a game-winning penalty kick by FC Dallas academy product Ricardo Pepi.

The 2022 MLS All-Star Game is part of the groundbreaking partnership between MLS and LIGA MX that also consist of major events on the soccer calendar, including Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup, and is committed to providing continued competitive opportunities to strengthen both leagues.

“Last year’s match between the MLS All-Stars and the LIGA MX All-Stars was the most competitive MLS All-Star Game ever, and we’re pleased to renew the rivalry between the two leagues this summer,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “Our partnership with LIGA MX has brought out the best in both leagues on and off the field, and I have no doubt the intensity will be even higher for the rematch in Minnesota. Beyond the game, All-Star Week will celebrate our sport with a series of cultural and community initiatives for the passionate soccer fans of the region. From the first day through the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, it will be an unforgettable week in Minnesota.”

“For LIGA MX it was a great experience to play in the MLS All-Star Game for the first time last year. The players gave their all to represent our league and everyone enjoyed an unprecedented game, where the fans of each of our 18 teams came together to support the LIGA MX team,” said Mikel Arriola, Executive President of LIGA MX. “For us, the opportunity to relive this experience in 2022 is exciting and fills us with pride, but we are committed to preparing ourselves in the best way, and with our best players, to seek a win, and of course, revenge against MLS.”

The match will air live on ESPN and Univision in the U.S., TSN and TVA Sports in Canada, on ESPN throughout Mexico and Latin America, and in more than 190 countries around the world, with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. ET. 

Tickets for the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target will go on sale to the public on April 28, however, fans can sign up for presale opportunities by visiting MLSsoccer.com/All-Star or CLICK HERE.

With Major League Soccer’s continued commitment to addressing its carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the operations of the 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, including fan attendance, will be measured, reduced where possible and compensated by high-value verified offsets. A portion of the proceeds from every ticket will be allocated to support these and other local sustainability initiatives in the Twin Cities.

In addition to the MLS All-Star Game, a week-long celebration of soccer culture will be highlighted by the MLS All-Star Concert presented by Target, MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G, as well as community events and social impact initiatives. Beats, Cleats, and Eats presented by Coca-Cola will also return to provide fans the opportunity to celebrate food, music, and soccer culture. 

With tickets on sale now for both the MLS All-Star Concert presented by Target as well as the 2022 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G, MLS today announced details for the events.

Khalid to Headline the MLS All-Star Concert presented by Target

Tickets on sale now: CLICK HERE

Five-time Grammy award nominated multiplatinum superstar Khalid will take center stage at the MLS All-Star Concert presented by Target on Monday, Aug. 8 at The Commons in Downtown Minneapolis.

“I couldn’t be more excited to take the stage at this year’s MLS All-Star Concert in the Twin Cities,” said Khalid. “I’m so happy to be a part of this historic moment and perform new music for the fans.”

Tickets are on sale now for $25 and may be purchased by visiting MLSsoccer.com/All-Star or SeatGeek.com. All proceeds from the concert will benefit The Alliance, a non-profit organization that focuses on regional equity at the intersections of racial justice, economic justice, environmental justice and health equity within the Twin Cities.

MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G to Feature MLS vs. LIGA MX

Tickets on Sale Now: CLICK HERE

The MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G returns as the best in MLS take on the LIGA MX All-Stars in the annual skills competition on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. CT at Allianz Field.

Providing fans with a fun and uniquely competitive take on the intracontinental rivalry, the stars of both leagues will be on display as ten players from each team compete in this ultimate test of skill. The event will include five competitions authentically rooted in the sport: Shooting Challenge presented by AT&T 5G; Touch Challenge presented by Old Spice; Cross & Volley Challenge presented by AT&T 5G; Passing Challenge presented by Bounty; and Crossbar Challenge presented by GilletteLabs.

MLS will be looking to take the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge title from LIGA MX, who were the victors of the 2021 edition in Los Angeles.

Tickets are on sale now, starting at $23 and can be purchased by visiting MLSsoccer.com/All-Star or SeatGeek.com.

All-Star week to feature social responsibility as well as inclusion and equity initiatives

In addition to the ticketed events, MLS All-Star Week, through MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s social responsibility platform, alongside Minnesota United and Target, will be focusing efforts that directly support communities in Saint Paul and Minneapolis. 

The planned events and initiatives include MLS WORKS All-Star Day of Service presented by Target and the Special Olympics Unified All-Star Game presented by MLS WORKS, ESPN, and Coca-Cola. MLS and Target also today announced plans to build a mini-pitch at the Mount Airy Boys & Girls Club in Saint Paul. In partnership with Minnesota United and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the mini-pitch will be officially unveiled during All-Star week as part of the MLS WORKS + Target All-Star Community Day. The project at Mount Airy Boys & Girls Club is part of the league’s commitment to build more inclusive communities, while continuing to highlight the importance of play equity and providing greater access for youth from underserved communities to play the game and learn critical life skills.

Importantly, MLS continues its Inclusion and Equity strategy of bridging the wealth equity gap by showcasing and supporting diverse leaders and entrepreneurs from Saint Paul and Minneapolis in its inaugural MLS All-Star Hometown Heroes Showcase. The Hometown Heroes Showcase will acknowledge and celebrate a selection of innovative, inclusive and impactful leaders making positive social change in one of four focus areas: education, mental health, food insecurity and social justice. These leaders and their organizations will receive a suite of support services to elevate and amplify their impact. Hometown Heroes will be integrated into MLS All-Star activities and social platforms leading up to All-Star and will culminate with a live panel discussion and showcase to highlight their mission and work.  

Full details regarding community programming and additional entertainment events throughout the MLS All-Star week will be announced in the coming weeks.

For More information about the MLS All-Star Game presented Target, please visit www.MLSsoccer.com/All-Star.