MLS All-Star? or Some-Star? | OneFootball

Back in late June, folks were stoked to see Lionel Messi’s name atop the initial MLS All-Star roster. The MLS All-Stars will compete against the LigaMX All-Starts at 9pm ET at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX. The game will be broadcast for free on AppleTV.

Yeah… But…

Cue today’s updated roster: Messi is no longer there. Apparently he never showed for the training sessions earlier this week. Now he’s been dropped.

The social-verse has lost its mind with this explosive story. There are even rumors swirling about a possible suspension for the diminutive Argentinian. These rumors have basis in fact: MLS rules prescribe that a selected player who chooses to not participate (and is not injured) suffers a one-game ban. This rule has been enforced only once, in 2018 when Zlatan Ibrahimović refused to play citing fatigue and overwork.

It should be noted that Messi’s shadow/teammate/footnote, Jordi Alba, was also dropped from the roster. He, too, could be facing suspension pending a league review into whether the pair have a valid injury excuse.

The Show Must Go On!

Despite the All-Star game morphing into a Some-Star game, there are still some outstanding players who will take the pitch later today. Whether they will be able to handle the LigaMX side is another question entirely. Last year’s iteration of this All-Star format saw the MLS lose to LigaMX 4 – 1, though they did win the first two earlier this decade. In any event, the game will happen even if the league’s most marketable star (and his flunkie) opted instead to attend bingo night at the church down their street.

How is the MLS All-Star Team Chosen?

Twelve spots are selected from an online vote. Twelve spots are selected by coach Nico Estévez (also the head coach of Austin FC). Two spots are selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Just because. You can math as good as I can… that adds up to 26 players. There are 29 on the roster. So it’s not a very exact science. When you see the full list (down below), you’ll notice only one player currently has that coveted Commissioner’s Choice tag. Previous selection Patrick Agyemang was dropped after his July 15th move to Derby County.

The Roster

According to the official MLS site, as of 12:15pm ET this is the roster:

Messi’s Snub was the Marketing Boost this Game Needed

Let’s be candid. In a summer where the Club World Cup has run its course, the U.S. soccer seasons are all in mid-season yawn phase and there’s nothing happening on the continent except pre-season friendlies and some Champions League qualifying matches between Azerbaijani and Lithuanian clubs, you probably didn’t know this game was happening either. Until now. There’s nothing like a little controversy and a snub to give your brand a boost!