The MLS All-Star game is an event that many fans eagerly await. However, the American soccer league hasn?t received the best response after announcing the major soccer event. Arsenal will face the MLS All-Stars on July 19 at Audi Field in Washington DC. Usually, the head coach of the city hosting the game goes on to manage the MLS All-Stars. By that logic, Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney will take charge of the MLS All-Stars.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rooney dropped a hint about the game on Thursday evening and various sources confirmed the same a few days later.
Fans are disappointed after the MLS All-Star game announcement!
On Thursday evening, Rooney indirectly let the cat out of the bag. At an event, a season ticket holder asked him whether he could arrange a friendly game against Manchester United. But Rooney then unintentionally let out the details of the MLS All-Star game.
While joking about the game, he said that he would love to host the English Premier League giants, the city now deserved to welcome a big club, unlike this year?s All-Star game opponents Arsenal.
However, the fans have surprisingly not reacted well to the announcement.
fucking lame https://t.co/TqMh29mi6e
— Armando (@yungkyjo) March 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/Skinmatt28/status/1637656495608197120?s=20
Gross. I thought we were beyond this. Either do MLS vs. Liga MX or East vs. West. https://t.co/VPQJBiXPqz
— Dalton Kemper (@DaltonKemper) March 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/LFC_Nick_/status/1637656917844672512?s=20
We have 29 teams in the league… are you saying we can’t field an east vs. west game? We really need this stupid gimmick. So dumb.
— Benny Armstrong (@barmstrong2185) March 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/Co_Co_ok/status/1637656164598009857?s=20
— Lionel Hutz (@FromCheapSeat) March 20, 2023
Absolutely hate this format. Imo it’s a no win situation for the league. https://t.co/18JFCZTNKM
— Carter Hastings (@CarterH_) March 20, 2023
FFS I thought 1 of the points of the Leagues Cup was to get rid of the ASG which was past its best before date til it became MLS vs Liga MX last yr. No 1 wants to see this other than a few obnoxious Eurosnobs that regularly shit on MLS who can kindly go fuck themselves Hard pass https://t.co/EfWFSyH6S5
— Mike McGuire (@McGuire_Mike) March 20, 2023
Not a huge fan of this. Really enjoyed the Liga MX game, but if that doesn’t work why not just go East/West? https://t.co/0zOdf7nNup
— MLS Box-To-Box (@MLS_Box2Box) March 20, 2023
Many fans feel that a game of this stature is not needed anymore. The American soccer league has become a prominent entity in itself and doesn?t require such publicity.
In fact, the fans are tired of suggesting an East vs West game as an exhibition match. Nonetheless, most of the fans feel that the league is no longer benefitting from the ‘All-Star? concept. Unfortunately, the fan?s mood after the announcement of the All-Star game is a ?hard pass?.
This isn’t Wayne Rooney’s first appearance at an All-Star game!
Wayne Rooney has appeared twice as a player in the MLS All-Star competition. The English soccer legend faced the American soccer league?s All-Stars when he was at Manchester United in 2011. Several years later, he started the game as part of the league?s All-Star team when he was playing for DC United. This is the second time the MLS will face Arsenal in its All-Star game.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
8-3-2002
Brian Maisonneuve and Brian McBride start for Team USA in the 2002 MLS All-Star Game in Washington DC. John Harkes was also named to Team USA.
Both Maisonneuve and McBride had an assist.https://t.co/VBj6aaG2by#Crew96 pic.twitter.com/HoaFR9Wamm— Columbus Crew History ⭐⭐ (@Crew96History) August 3, 2019
Apart from this format, wherein the best from the league faces international opposition, US Soccer has also tried many other bizarre formats. American soccer fans have also witnessed unique one-off challenges. In 2002, the All-Star side faced the USMNT. Four years prior to this peculiar one-off, the league divided its players into a domestic and international bracket for the All-Star game in 1998.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams? Husband Alexis Ohanian Brings In FIFA World Cup Numbers to Declare Women?s Soccer Popularity in US Shouldn?t Surprise Anyone
What do you think about the upcoming MLS All-Star game against Arsenal? Let us know in the comments below.