MLS All-Star Game 2025: A Showdown, A Show, or Just Showbiz?
The MLS All-Star Game is exactly what fans and critics choose to make of it. For those looking to stack up Major League Soccer against Liga MX, the current format delivers that in a head-to-head matchup — even if the MLS All-Stars’ 3-1 victory isn’t quite the definitive yardstick some want it to be.
Want it to be just a fun-filled night of high-level soccer with a dose of American-style flair? Then the All-Star Skills Challenge, which MLS also claimed, and the lively gameplay deliver on that front too. The action kicked off with Sam Surridge netting the first goal, a slick move that followed an explosive run by LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, who stripped Necaxa’s AgustÃn Palavecino before slicing through the defense.
Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo made it two with a clinical finish, courtesy of a laser-accurate through ball from Columbus Crew’s Diego Rossi. The chemistry and skill shown by these attacking standouts reflect the top-tier quality the league now boasts.
But Liga MX didn’t leave empty-handed. Sixteen-year-old sensation Gilberto Mora, who turned heads during the Gold Cup and continues to impress for Tijuana, buried a beauty to get his side on the scoreboard. Then came Vancouver’s Brian White, who capped the night with MLS’s third goal — a gritty finish that further boosts USMNT depth ahead of a massive World Cup year.
The match was peppered with frequent substitutions, roughly every 30 minutes. The vibe? Competitive, but friendly — no rough tackles, no injuries, and a packed, energized crowd soaking up the entertainment.
But if you’re the type who sees the event as a waste of time, well, Lionel Messi might agree with you — at least based on his actions. The league’s biggest icon completely skipped the All-Star festivities in Austin, Texas, along with his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba. Their absence could even lead to suspensions ahead of a critical clash against Cincinnati, the league’s top team.
In one light, Messi’s absence feels tone-deaf. Sure, the media spotlight is always blinding for him, but that’s the life of a global icon. Like it or not, All-Star events are woven into American sports DNA — from the NBA to MLB to NHL. Even if they’re a bit silly, they’re tradition. Ditching them? That’s like bemoaning holiday fixture congestion in the Premier League — frustrating, yes, but part of the gig.
In American sports culture, superstars show up. Michael Jordan played in 13 All-Star games. LeBron James has started all 21 appearances. Wayne Gretzky? 18. Sidney Crosby? 10. Shohei Ohtani? Five straight, even while battling injury. So expecting Messi, who earns over $20 million a year and is the face of the league, to make a brief All-Star appearance isn’t outrageous.
Then again… maybe it is. Unlike the stars listed above, neither Messi nor Alba built their legacies in North America. They aren’t phoning it in — both have been brilliant in MLS — but Messi may be signaling a certain respect by choosing to prioritize meaningful matches over glitzy exhibitions.
Even MLS commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the complexities. Speaking before the game, Garber noted the All-Star break was vital for league operations, with all Chief Soccer Officers, Chief Business Officers, and owners present. Yet he admitted Messi has played 9 matches in 35 days, including full 90-minute games for Club World Cup and MLS.
“Miami's schedule has been brutal. Most clubs had a 10-day break — they didn’t. We have to manage that as a league,” Garber said, adding, “But we also have rules.”
And those rules may soon change. Garber hinted that MLS might need to rethink the All-Star format altogether. For the first time, he shared the league’s average game viewership — 120,000 per match, which he framed as a 50% increase from last year but still a modest number in the grand scheme.
So, does the current All-Star setup help boost viewership, or does it clog up the calendar in an already congested season? The answer isn’t clear — but the commissioner suggested tweaks may be coming, possibly by changing the opponent. The league has, in the past, faced top international clubs, and a return to that format could revitalize interest.
Interestingly, while MLS pushes for more competition, other U.S. leagues are moving in the opposite direction. The NBA ditched its traditional East vs. West setup and now hosts games that often resemble pickup ball. The NFL scrapped the Pro Bowl entirely — a wise move, considering the physical toll of the sport. Only Major League Baseball clings tightly to its classic All-Star structure, and it’s paying off — this year’s game was the most-watched in U.S. sports, with a 6% viewership increase.
“I love the All-Star Game,” Garber said. “I think most leagues do. But how do we make our players love it too?”
Many MLS players still seem to. But if that sentiment fades — or simply doesn’t matter anymore — maybe the All-Star Game’s next chapter needs to be a bold one.