2020 MLS All-Star Game

The 2020 Major League Soccer All-Star Game was planned to be the 25th edition of the annual Major League Soccer All-Star Game, an exhibition soccer match in the United States. It would have been held on July 29, 2020, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California, and played against an all-star team from Liga MX, Mexico's top-flight league.

2020 MLS All-Star Game
Event2020 Major League Soccer season
MLS All-Stars Liga MX All-Stars
DateJuly 29, 2020
VenueBanc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

The match was announced in November 2019 and cancelled on May 19, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It would have been televised domestically on ESPN and UniMás in the United States, and on TSN and TVA Sports in Canada.

Match planning

The Major League Soccer All-Star Game originally fielded two all-star teams from the Western and Eastern conferences, but was later contested against European clubs during their pre-season tours.[1] An exhibition between the MLS All-Stars and an all-star team from Liga MX, the top flight of Mexican soccer, was proposed in the mid-2010s as part of a closer relationship between the leagues.[2] Officials from MLS and Liga MX announced a new partnership in March 2018, including new club competitions like the Campeones Cup and Leagues Cup, and a commitment for a shared all-star game.[3][4] Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla attended the 2018 MLS All-Star Game in Atlanta with MLS commissioner Don Garber, where they continued discussions for the match, including a potential venue in the Los Angeles area.[5]

On November 20, 2019, MLS officially announced that the 2020 All-Star Game would be played against the Liga MX All-Stars at Banc of California Stadium, the home of Los Angeles FC. It is the first to be played against an all-star team from another league.[6] LAFC head coach Bob Bradley was selected as the manager of the MLS All-Star team.[6] It is the first MLS All-Star Game to be played in the Los Angeles area since 2003, which was hosted by the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, now known as Dignity Health Sports Park.[6][1]

On May 19, 2020, MLS announced that the All-Star Game would be cancelled alongside the 2020 Leagues Cup and 2020 Campeones Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] The league plans to host the 2021 MLS All-Star Game in Los Angeles against the Liga MX All-Stars.[8]

Match rules

Match
MLS All-Stars v Liga MX All-Stars

References
  1. Baxter, Kevin (November 18, 2019). "MLS All-Stars will play top Liga MX players next summer at Banc of California Stadium". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  2. Marshall, Tom (January 4, 2017). "Chivas in finals and an All-Star game with MLS cap Liga MX wish list for 2017". ESPN. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  3. Parker, Graham (March 15, 2018). "The MLS-Liga MX partnership could alter soccer's North American trajectory". The Guardian. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  4. Creditor, Avi (March 13, 2018). "MLS, Liga MX Join Forces for Campeones Cup, Future All-Star Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  5. McIntyre, Doug (November 20, 2019). "MLS, Liga MX will square off in 2020 All-Star game in Los Angeles". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  6. "MLS vs. Liga MX: 2020 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target heads to LA". Major League Soccer. November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  7. "Major League Soccer Provides Updates on All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 19, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  8. Harris, Jack (May 19, 2020). "MLS cancels All-Star game scheduled to be held in Los Angeles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  9. "The complete beginner's guide to the 2017 MLS All-Star Game". MLSsoccer.com. April 11, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
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