MLS vs. Liga MX 2025 All-Star Game: Rosters, Odds, and Messi’s Status for Austin Showdown

Event Breakdown: Date, Time, and Venue

The match is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Kick-off is set for 9:00 PM ET (8:00 PM CT / 6:00 PM PT). Austin’s Q2 Stadium, home of Austin FC, will host the event. This marks the first time a professional all-star game has ever been held in the city.

Q2 Stadium is a modern venue with 20,738 seats and a natural grass pitch. Its signature canopy roof provides shade for fans. The stadium was the first in the world to feature fully tunable RGB LED field lighting. Austin FC currently holds the longest active sellout streak in MLS at this venue, showing the city’s strong support for soccer.

How to Watch: TV and Streaming Details

The 2025 MLS All-Star Game and the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge will be broadcast exclusively live on the MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV app. This global broadcast will be available in over 100 countries and regions. Viewers can choose between English, Spanish, and French commentary.

In the United States, the match will also be available on Amazon Prime Video, DirecTV, and Comcast Xfinity. It is important to note that the game will not be broadcast on traditional cable networks like ESPN or FOX. For fans in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports UK holds the broadcast rights.

The MLS All-Star Roster: A Closer Look

The MLS roster features 30 of the league’s most talented players. The selection process is a three-step method. Twelve players are chosen through a combined vote from fans, current MLS players, and media members. Each group’s vote counts for one-third of the total.

Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez, serving as the All-Star team’s coach, selects another 12 players for the roster. The final two spots are filled by MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s picks. The full roster represents 16 different MLS clubs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC leads with four selections, followed by Nashville SC, Philadelphia Union, and San Diego FC with three each.

Goalkeepers (3):

• Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC)
• Brad Stuver (Austin FC)
• Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

Defenders (9):

• Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF)
• Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew)
• Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
• Michael Boxall (Minnesota United FC)
• Alex Freeman (Orlando City)
• Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union)
• Andy Najar (Nashville SC)
• Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)
• Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)

Midfielders (9):

• Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
• Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes)
• Evander (FC Cincinnati)
• Carles Gil (New England Revolution)
• Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake)
• Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
• Jeppe Tverskov (San Diego FC)
• Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders FC)
• Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire FC)

Forwards (9):

• Tai Baribo (Philadelphia Union)
• Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
• Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC)
• Chucky Lozano (San Diego FC)
• Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF)
• Marco Pašalić (Orlando City)
• Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew)
• Sam Surridge (Nashville SC)
• Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

Messi’s Uncertain Status: A Major Storyline

Lionel Messi is the headline player on the MLS roster. His status for the game, however, remains a point of discussion. The Inter Miami superstar was absent from an initial training session, and his club manager has publicly expressed a wish for him to sit out the exhibition.

League rules are clear on this matter. Any player selected for the All-Star team who does not participate without a valid reason, such as an injury, will be suspended for one regular-season league match. This adds a layer of drama to the buildup of the game.

The Liga MX All-Star Roster: A Formidable Opponent

The Liga MX All-Stars arrive with a powerful 29-player squad. Their roster is built from 14 Balón de Oro award nominees, 14 selections by their coach, André Jardine of Club América, and one pick from the league’s president, Mikel Arriola. The team is confident after a dominant 4-1 victory in the 2024 All-Star Game.

The squad features major international stars. Legendary Spanish defender Sergio Ramos and former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodríguez bring world-class experience. The attack is led by top scorer Alexis Vega and Juan Brunetta, the 2024 All-Star Game MVP.

Betting Odds and Predictions for the Big Game

Sportsbooks have positioned Liga MX as the slight favorite to win the match. Bet365 lists the Liga MX All-Stars at +125 odds. This means a successful $100 bet on Liga MX would win $125. A draw is priced at +320, offering a higher payout.

The over/under for total goals is set at 3.5, suggesting that oddsmakers expect a high-scoring affair. This is typical for all-star games, which often feature offensive creativity over tight defensive structures.

The odds reflect both Liga MX’s strong performance last year and the uncertainty surrounding Messi’s participation.

Beyond the Match: A Full Week of Fan Events

The All-Star Game is the centerpiece of a week-long celebration of soccer in Austin. The schedule is packed with events for fans of all ages.

• Soccer Celebration: This free, family-friendly fan festival runs from July 19-20 at Auditorium Shores. It includes interactive fan zones, live music, food, games, and autograph sessions with MLS legends.
• MLS All-Star Skills Challenge: On Tuesday, July 22, ten players from each league will compete in five skill-based challenges.
• MLS NEXT All-Star Game: On Monday, July 21, 44 of the best young players in North America will compete in an East vs. West match at Parmer Field.

Community First: All-Star Week’s Local Impact

The All-Star Week also focuses heavily on giving back to the host community. The MLS All-Star Community Day on July 22 will feature a mini-tournament, soccer clinics, and special guest appearances at Rosewood Park.

On July 19, the MLS All-Star Day of Service will bring volunteers together to help clean and beautify Austin’s local trails and shorelines. Additionally, MLS and its three Texas clubs have pledged $500,000 to flood relief efforts through the “Together For Texas” initiative.

Format Under Fire: Is the All-Star Game Broken?

Despite the excitement, the current All-Star Game format faces significant criticism. One major issue is the lack of representation for all clubs. In 2025, 14 of the 30 MLS teams do not have a single player on the roster. This can lead to disinterest from those large fanbases.

Another point of debate is the venue size. While Q2 Stadium is a top-tier facility, its capacity is much smaller than the NFL stadiums that hosted past All-Star Games and drew over 60,000 fans. The most common critique is that the game lacks meaningful stakes. Unlike other professional sports leagues, the result has no bearing on the MLS season, making it feel like a simple exhibition.

Proposed Fixes: How to Improve the All-Star Game

Critics have offered several suggestions to improve the event. One idea is to return to a format like East vs. West, which would allow for larger rosters and ensure every club is represented. To raise the stakes, the winning league could be awarded a bonus CONCACAF Champions League spot or a substantial cash prize.

Others suggest making the event more fun by adding fan-centric competitions like tifo contests or supporter group parades. These changes aim to make the All-Star Game a more prestigious and engaging celebration of North American soccer.