The likes of Lionel Messi, Denis Bouanga and Riqui Puig have been selected to represent the United States this summer.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jul 1st, 2024 13:00 EDT0
CHRIS ARJOONAFP
Every year the best players in United States are brought together for a one-off match against illustrious overseas opposition, the MLS All-Star Game.
It’s a tradition that dates back to the league’s inaugural season and, although the format has changed, it remains popular to this day. Today MLS has confirmed the full 26-player roster for the 2024 All-Star Team, with a number of very well-known names at the disposal of the coach, MLS Cup winner Wilfried Nancy.
Inter Miami’s superstar quartet – Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba – were all selected in the vote, as was 2023 Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga and reigning MLS MVP Luciano Acosta. Here’s a look at the full squad for the 2024 MLS All-Star Game…
Goalkeepers (3): Roman Bürki (St. Louis CITY SC / Coach’s selection), Hugo Lloris (LAFC / Coach’s selection), Maarten Paes (FC Dallas / Voted)
Defenders (9): Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF / Voted), Rudy Camacho (Columbus Crew / Coach’s selection), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake / Voted), Aaron Herrera (D.C. United / Voted), Thiago Martins (New York City FC / Coach’s selection), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew / Coach’s selection), Luca Orellano (FC Cincinnati / Coach’s selection), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati / Voted), Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids / Coach’s selection)
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MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew have five representatives, including Cucho Hernandez and Steven Moreira.Joseph MaioranaUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Midfielders (10): Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati / Voted), Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami CF / Voted), Mathieu Choinière (CF Montréal / Coach’s selection), Evander (Portland Timbers / Coach’s selection), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Coach’s selection), Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo FC / Commissioner’s selection), Robin Lod (Minnesota United FC / Coach’s selection), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC / Coach’s selection), Darlington Nagbe (Columbus Crew / Commissioner’s selection), Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy / Voted)
Forwards (8): Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango (Real Salt Lake / Voted), Christian Benteke (D.C. United / Voted), Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC / Coach’s selection), Denis Bouanga (LAFC / Coach’s selection), Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernández (Columbus Crew / Coach’s selection), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF / Voted), Luis Suárez (Inter Miami CF / Voted), Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew / Coach’s selection)
Who are the opponents for the MLS All-Star Game?
Over the years many of world soccer’s biggest names have travelled to the United States for the MLS All-Star Game. Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United and Bayern Munich have all taken on the MLS select XI in recent years, while Arsenal romped to a 5-0 victory in the 2023 game.
See you again soon, Columbus 😉🙌 @MLS All-Star Game 🔜 pic.twitter.com/mDYTEUfi5j
— Jillian Sakovits (@JillianSakovits) June 7, 2024
The game is generally played against a major European team but this year’s opponents will be the Liga MX All-Stars, the best players from the top flight of Mexican soccer. This MLS-Liga MX format was also used in 2021 and 2022, with the US-based team coming out on top in both games.
How can I watch the MLS All-Star Game?
The 2024 MLS All-Star Game will be played at Lower.com Field, home of reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew. The Crew have five players in the All-Star Team: Steven Moreira, Rudy Camacho, Darlington Nagbe, Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernandez.