News Summary
The MLS All-Stars secured a victory in the Skills Challenge against LIGA MX at Q2 Stadium, winning 4-2. The event showcased stellar performances, including record-breaking feats by Evander of FC Cincinnati and Alex Zendejas with Brian Rodríguez from Club América. Despite a strong start from LIGA MX, including goals from Gilberto Mora, MLS made a comeback led by key saves from Brad Stuver. This victory sets a thrilling tone for the upcoming All-Star Game and emphasizes community engagement through sports.
Austin
The 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge was held at Q2 Stadium on Tuesday night, where the MLS All-Stars emerged victorious over their LIGA MX counterparts with a score of 4-2. This win marks the first Skills Challenge title for the MLS All-Stars since 2022 and sets an exciting tone ahead of the upcoming All-Star Game.
Key performances highlighted the night, particularly from Evander of FC Cincinnati, who broke the Shooting Challenge record with an impressive 72 points, surpassing the previous record of 65 points held by Héctor Herrera. In another remarkable display, Alex Zendejas and Brian Rodríguez from Club América achieved a new record in the Touch Challenge with a combined score of 120 points, significantly breaking the earlier record of 71 points.
Despite early challenges from LIGA MX, which included an early lead given by Gilberto Mora from Club Tijuana through impressive volleys, the MLS squad made strong comebacks. Brad Stuver from Austin FC played a critical role by making crucial saves. Highlights of the challenge included Denis Bouanga from LAFC scoring late in the game, which resulted in both teams earning a point.
In individual duels, Clint Dempsey, an MLS and USMNT legend, triumphed over Mexican football star Oribe Peralta. Furthermore, Evander continued his strong performance by defeating Rodrigo Dourado from Atlético San Luis. The challenge concluded with goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka from Vancouver Whitecaps FC successfully hitting the crossbar, sealing the victory for the MLS All-Stars.
Up Next: The All-Star Game
The victory in the Skills Challenge sets the stage for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, scheduled for 8 PM CT Wednesday at Q2 Stadium. Both MLS and LIGA MX rosters will comprise 12 players and special guests. Nico Estévez, the head coach of Austin FC, will lead the MLS All-Stars, while Andre Jardine, the LIGA MX All-Stars coach, looks to repeat their success from the previous year, having earned the 2025 LIGA MX Coach of the Year award.
This matchup between the MLS All-Stars and LIGA MX All-Stars will be the fourth encounter in total, with MLS currently leading the series at 2-1. The most recent All-Star clash resulted in a victory for the LIGA MX All-Stars, adding a layer of rivalry to the upcoming game.
Future Events and Community Impact
In addition to this thrilling matchup, the 2025 Leagues Cup is set to commence on July 29, featuring 36 teams from both leagues. MLS teams have enjoyed success in the previous editions of the competition, claiming victory in 2023 with Inter Miami and in 2024 with Columbus Crew.
Austin FC, which has held games since 2021, boasts an impressive record of 81 consecutive sellouts, marking the longest active streak in Major League Soccer. The upcoming All-Star Week will also provide a platform for community recognition, as four local heroes will be honored for their contributions during the festivities held at Q2 Stadium.
Fans can look forward to seeing notable players participating in the All-Star Game, including global icons such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, and Jordi Alba. Additionally, Gilberto Mora, a 16-year-old promising talent, is anticipated to showcase his potential as one of football’s rising stars.
The Skills Challenge and the upcoming All-Star Game not only highlight the competing talents from Major League Soccer and LIGA MX but also emphasize the significance of engagement with local communities through sports.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- MLS Soccer: Everything to Know About 2025 MLS All-Star Game
- KXAN: How Major League Soccer is Helping Keep Austin Clean
- CBS Austin: MLS All-Star Game to Honor Local Heroes
- Wikipedia: Major League Soccer
- Google News: MLS All-Star Game 2025
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
