It ain’t broke, so Major League Soccer isn’t fixing it.
After last year’s MLS All-Star Game vs. the best of Liga MX in Mexico, the league announced Thursday they will be running it back August 10 at Allianz Field in Minnesota.
The rematch will kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET and air live on ESPN and Univision in the United States. MLS won last summer’s edition in a penalty kick shootout.
“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.”
The two most notable players from last year’s MLS victory, Ricardo Pepi and Matt Turner, will both be playing soccer overseas at the time of this All-Star Game, with FC Augsburg and Arsenal, respectively. But there will be no shortage of upcoming talent for either league to choose from as anticipation creeps toward the 2022 FIFA men’s World Cup in Qatar.
“For us, the opportunity to relive this experience in 2022 is exciting and fills us with pride,” said Mikel Arriola, Executive President of Liga MX. “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.”
Along with the game itself, Tuesday, August 9 will also mark the return of the revamped Skills Challenge, which will feature the five events debuted in Los Angeles last year.
Five-time Grammy-nominated artist Khalid will headline a concert August 8 with all proceeds going to The Alliance, a non-profit organization that focuses on regional equity in the Twin Cities.
