On Wednesday, Austin FC will not only host the city’s first-ever all-star game but also put on an event that differs from all-star games in other leagues.
Unlike last week’s MLB All-Star game, where players represented their leagues, the Major League Soccer All-Stars will be representing the league itself and the United States as they face the All-Stars of Liga MX, Mexico’s premier soccer league.
“It’s a little bit different than other sports and this battle between West and East. We bring everyone together, and we just fight against our neighbors,” Austin FC and All-Star coach Nico Estévez said. “It makes a little bit more noise around the world, and it makes a little bit more like a rivalry type of game.”
Heading into the all-star game, Estévez has inherited a team of players that were voted in by fans, players and media. Players voted in include all-time great Lionel Messi from Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna, who recently played a major role in Team USA’s run to the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final.
Estévez and MLS commissioner Don Garber also made their own selections for the team. Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver was one of Estévez’s 12 selections, and San Diego FC forward Chucky Lozano was chosen by Garber.
“Sometimes people forget that the coach role is not only about tactics. It’s not only about leading a team or managing the players,” Estévez said. “It’s about bringing the people together, bringing the fans, everyone and all the community that we have around together. It’s an honor for me to help on that task.”
Messi’s former La Liga rival and Ligue 1 teammate, Sergio Ramos, will be featured on the other side of the pitch for the Liga MX All-Stars. A defender, Ramos will be joined by Liga MX’s Attacking Midfielder of the Year, Alexis Vega of Toluca.
Similar to other leagues’ all-star games, MLS will have All-Star Skills Challenges before the actual game, an opportunity for both teams to take part in different mini-games to showcase their first-touch, shooting, passing and crossbar challenge skills.
During the Skills Challenge, fans will get to see former Barcelona and Real Madrid players Jordi Alba and James Rodriguez battle it out for their respective teams, Inter Miami and Club León. Stuver will also compete in the Skills Challenge.
“I went back, and I’ve watched some film from previous years about how they go down,” Stuver said. “(I’m) just gonna go out, have some fun — hopefully take home the skills challenge.”
Only four years since Austin FC kicked off its first-ever game, this year’s all-star game is not only an opportunity for the league to showcase its talent, but it is also an opportunity for the city of Austin to show its continued interest and growth in the sport.
“We understand that Austin is a soccer city, and we take a lot of pride in that,” Stuver said. “Being probably a smaller market in terms of national media, I think this week will kind of showcase how much pride there is, and also see how much soccer culture there is throughout the city.”
