Soccer fans know what time of the year this is. For those unaware, the MLS All-Stars game is around the corner. If still scratching your head, it is an annual friendly match held by the American domestic league featuring selected players against any international side or a group of star players. The 2024 edition presented by AT&T is set to take place against Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday, July 24 at 8 p.m. ET at the Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. While Liga MX All-Stars play after a long time, MLS All-Stars endured a 5-0 defeat against Arsenal in the previous edition.

MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars: Team news

Key absentees

MLS All-Stars: The presence of  Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez would have been a treat to the eyes of all soccer fans. But unfortunately, neither of the former FC Barcelona duo won’t be available. Inter Miami commented on their absence saying, “Leo Messi will miss the All-Star Game due to an ankle injury, while Luis Suárez, who recently returned from international duty after over 40 days away from the club, will miss the All-Star Game due to knee discomfort.”

Likewise, FC Cincinnati’s defender Miles Robinson, Real Salt Lake forward Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango, and Ryan Gauld, midfielder for Vancouver Whitecaps FC are also not available at Nancy’s disposal.

Liga MX All-Stars: Guadalajara duo, forward Roberto Alvarado and center back Jesús Orozco, alongside CF Monterrey’s midfielder Sergio Canales and Atlético San Luis’ Juan Manuel Sanabria are not available due to an injury.

All-Stars rosters

MLS All-Stars

Coach: Wilfried Nancy

Goalkeepers: Roman Bürki (St. Louis CITY SC / Coach’s Selection), Hugo Lloris (LAFC / Coach’s Selection), Maarten Paes (FC Dallas / Voted in)

Defenders: Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF / Voted In), Moïse Bombito (Colorado Rapids / Voted In), Rudy Camacho (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake / Voted In), Aaron Herrera (D.C. United / Voted In), Thiago Martins (New York City FC / Coach’s Selection), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection), Luca Orellano (FC Cincinnati / Coach’s Selection), Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids / Coach’s Selection)

Midfielders: Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati / Voted In), Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami CF / Voted In), Mathieu Choinière (CF Montréal / Coach’s Selection), Evander (Portland Timbers / Coach’s Selection), Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo FC / Commissioner’s Pick), Robin Lod (Minnesota United FC / Coach’s Selection), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake / Coach’s Selection), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC / Coach’s Selection), Darlington Nagbe (Columbus Crew / Commissioner’s Pick), Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy / Voted In)

Forwards: Christian Benteke (D.C. United / Voted In), Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC / Coach’s Selection), Denis Bouanga (LAFC / Coach’s Selection), Juan “Cucho” Hernández (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection), Petar Musa (FC Dallas / Coach’s Selection), Gabriel Pec (LA Galaxy / Coach’s Selection), Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection)

Liga MX All-Stars 

Coach: André Jardine

Goalkeepers: Ángel Malagón (Club America), Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul), Fernando Tapia (Tigres UANL)

Defenders: Jesús Angulo (Tigres UANL), Unai Bilbao (Club Tijuana), Gustavo Ferrareis (Puebla), Brian García (Toluca), Bryan González (CF Pachuca), Alan Mozo (Guadalajara), Alexis Peña (Club Necaxa), Gonzalo Piovi (Cruz Azul), Guido Pizarro (Tigres UANL)

Midfielders: Alán Bautista (CF Pachuca), Germán Berterame (CF Monterrey), Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL), Nelson Deossa (CF Pachuca), Javairô Dilrosun (Club America), Jonathan Dos Santos (Club America), Rodrigo Dourado (Atlético San Luis), Álvaro Fidalgo (Club America), Andrés Guardado (Club León), César Huerta (Pumas UNAM), Oussama Idrissi (CF Pachuca), Maximiliano Meza (CF Monterrey), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul)

Forwards: Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres UANL), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas UNAM), Salomón Rondón (CF Pachuca)

Expected starting XI for the All-star game

MLS All-Stars potential XI: Hugo Lloris; Keegan Rosenberry, Moïse Bombito/Thiago Martins, Rudy Camacho, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Héctor Herrera, Riqui Puig, Luciano Acosta; Christian Benteke, Juan “Cucho” Hernández.

Liga MX All-Stars potential XI: Ángel Malagón; Alan Mozo, Unai Bilbao, Alexis Peña, Jesús Angulo/Bryan González; Alán Bautista, Jonathan Dos Santos, Carlos Rodríguez; Guillermo Martínez, Salomón Rondón.

Head-to-head stats and prediction for All-Stars game

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time MLS All-Star and Liga MX All-Star are facing each other. Both have played twice against each other with the American league prevailing in either clash. The first one was played on August 26, 2021, when MLS won 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while the second one was played on August 11, 2021, when America’s domestic stars won 2-1.

Certainly, either side would be looking to clinch a victory again, especially the Mexican domestic stars, who are still looking for a victory. While third time’s the charm for Liga MX, they will try their best for a win. But, even though star players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are missing the All-Star clash, MLS will prevail again but with a close call indeed. We reckon the score will be MLS All-Stars 2-1 Liga MX All-Stars.

How to watch MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars on TV channels and livestream?

Fans in the US, UK, and Canada can watch the action live on Apple TV+ MLS Season pass.