The 2022 Major League Soccer All-Star Game was the 26th annual Major League Soccer All-Star Game, an exhibition soccer match in the United States. The game, featuring all-star teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX, took place on August 10, 2022, at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was the second MLS All-Star Game to be played under the inter-league format.[1] The all-star game also included a skills challenge, concerts, and other events in the days before the match.[2]
 Logo for the 2022 MLS All-Star Game | |||||||
| Event | 2022 Major League Soccer season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Date | August 10, 2022 | ||||||
| Venue | Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota | ||||||
| Most Valuable Player | Dayne St. Clair (MLS All-Stars) | ||||||
| Referee | Joe Dickerson (United States) | ||||||
| Attendance | 19,727 | ||||||
The MLS All-Stars won 2–1 with goals from Carlos Vela in the third minute and Raúl Ruidíaz in the 73rd minute; Liga MX earned a consolation goal in the 84th minute through a strike from Kevin Álvarez. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who made four saves, was named the match's most valuable player.[3]
Pre-game
editVenue selection
edit
Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, home to Minnesota United FC, was announced as the host venue for the All-Star Game in October 2021. The 19,600-seat soccer-specific stadium opened in 2019 and has hosted a FIFA World Cup qualifying match, several international friendlies and CONCACAF Gold Cup matches in addition to club games.[4]
Jerseys
editThe jersey for the MLS All-Stars, made by Adidas, was unveiled on August 1, 2022. It was primarily dark gray with a light purple trim and two jock tags referencing the state of Minnesota.[5] The Liga MX All-Stars unveiled their Charly-designed jersey on the same day. It featured a black "paintbrush stroke" on a white jersey, with the names of Liga MX clubs within the stroke and sleeves.[6]
Squads
editMLS All-Stars
editThe MLS All-Stars roster was announced on July 12, 2022.[7] Forward Brandon Vazquez was added to the roster on August 3, 2022, to replace Valentín Castellanos, due to Castellanos' loan move to Girona. Jakob Glesnes was added as a replacement for Alexander Callens on August 4.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
- Coach:
Adrian Heath (Minnesota United FC)
Liga MX All-Stars
editThe Liga MX All-Stars roster was announced on July 19, 2022.[8] Juan Escobar, Guido Pizarro, Luis Quiñones and Víctor Guzmán were called up as replacements for Dória, Diego Barbosa, Jordan Carrillo and Ángel Mena.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- Coach:
Diego Cocca (Atlas)
Broadcasting
editThe All-Star Game was broadcast in the United States on ESPN in English and Univision in Spanish. ESPN's coverage included play-by-play commentary by Jon Champion and analysis by Taylor Twellman, as well as studio coverage by Sebastian Salazar and Herculez Gomez—including pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows. The All-Star Skills Challenge was broadcast the day before on ESPN2.[9] In Canada, TSN carried the match in English and TVA Sports in French. ESPN's international affiliates also broadcast the All-Star Game in Mexico, Latin America, and other countries.[2] In the United Kingdom, the match was broadcast live on Sky Sports.[10]
The ESPN broadcast reached an estimated average of 334,000 viewers and peaked at 420,000 viewers; it was the most-viewed MLS All-Star Game since 2018.[11]
Skills Challenge
editThe MLS All-Stars defeated Liga MX in the Skills Challenge, winning 3–2 across five events. The 2022 All-Star Game marked the return of "Goalie Wars", a head-to-head competition between goalkeepers, which was not televised and involved four MLS Next Pro players.[12]
Match rules
edit- Unlimited substitutions
- Players limited to a total of 45 minutes[13]
- Penalty shoot-out if tied at full time; no extra time
Match
editMLS All-Stars   | 2–1 |  Liga MX All-Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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References
edit- ^ Straus, Brian (April 21, 2022). "MLS, Liga MX Will Run it Back in 2022 All-Star Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ a b "MLS All-Stars to face the LIGA MX All-Stars in the 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target". MLSsoccer.com. April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ Zgoda, Jerry (August 10, 2022). "Minnesota United's Dayne St. Clair named MVP as MLS wins All-Star Game 2-1 over Liga MX". Star-Tribune. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ Carlisle, Jeff (October 5, 2021). "Minnesota's Allianz Field to host 2022 MLS All-Star Game". ESPN. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ "2022 MLS All-Star jersey". MLSsoccer.com. August 1, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
- ^ Cook, Glenn (August 1, 2022). "MLS, Liga MX Unveil Jerseys for Upcoming All-Star Game". SportsLogos.net. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
- ^ "2022 MLS All-Star Roster". Major League Soccer. July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "LIGA MX announces roster for 2022 MLS All-Star Game at Allianz Field". Major League Soccer. July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ Nwulu, Mac (August 8, 2022). "ESPN Goes to Minnesota for 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target" (Press release). ESPN. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ "TV Guide: MLS All-Star Game". Sky Sports. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ "ESPN's 2022 MLS All-Star Game Viewership Up 86 Percent" (Press release). ESPN. August 12, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ Zgoda, Jerry (August 10, 2022). "Loons development team goalkeeper Alec Smir wins 'Goalie Wars' challenge at All-Star event". Star-Tribune. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ Tansey, Joe (August 9, 2022). "MLS All-Stars vs. Liga MX All-Stars: Notable Storylines Surrounding Key Players". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 10, 2022.