MLS All-Stars 3–1 Liga MX All-Stars

By Alonso Contreras

The 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin was a stunning showcase of North American soccer, with the MLS All-Stars defeating Liga MX All-Stars 3–1 at a sold-out Q2 Stadium. Here’s the breakdown:

Atmosphere & Setup

• Q2 Stadium, known for its canopy and vibrant fan energy, hosted a jam-packed crowd of 20,738. The south end supporters brought infectiously high energy all night — complete with green pyro — proving once again why Austin is a true “soccer city”  .

• Fan-zone activities and local flair were everywhere: gourmet offerings like the special “Game On Burger” by Trill Burgers x La Barbecue, skills challenges, night-time concerts, and community events made it a full week celebration.

⚽ Match Highlights

Minute	Event
28′	Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) opened the scoring with a headed goal from a Denis Bouanga (LAFC) delivery  .
51′	Tai Baribo (Philadelphia Union) doubled the lead, converting a perfect pass from Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew), later named MVP  .
64′	Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), a 16-year-old phenom, pulled one back for Liga MX, becoming the youngest goalscorer in All-Star Game history  .
80′	Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) sealed the win after a slick move involving Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire) and Cristian Espinoza (SJ Earthquakes)  .

Final Score: MLS All-Stars 3–1 Liga MX All-Stars  .

Player & Tactical Performance

• Tai Baribo earned the All-Star Game MVP, with his second-half strike sealing MLS’s victory  .

• Under the direction of Austin FC’s Nico Estévez, the squad adopted a compact, counter-attacking shape that neutralized Liga MX’s possession-led approach  .

• Brad Stuver (Austin FC), the hometown hero, shone in the Skills Challenge and also made key saves in the main game, eliciting loud applause  .

Skills Challenge & Fan Week

• Earlier in the week, MLS secured the Skills Challenge victory (4–2). FC Cincinnati’s Evander set a new shooting challenge record, while Stuver hit the crossbar in the goalie challenge.

• The skills events included a fan-friendly mix of established stars and rising talents, including Lindsey Heaps and Nicky Hernández, showcasing MLS’s inclusivity.

Messi No‑Show & Broader Debate

• Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were both announced but did not appear — Messi cited a packed schedule, confirmed by Inter Miami’s coach, which disappointed many fans.

• MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the league should re-evaluate the All-Star format and announced potential disciplinary measures for absentee stars.

Final Thoughts

• The win improves MLS’s record against Liga MX All-Stars to 3–1 in this format.

• Austin’s event was a resounding success—rich in atmosphere, culture, talent showcase, and community impact—but also underscored growing pains in balancing star power, fan expectations, and league identity. Still, for one sultry July night, Q2 Stadium delivered a vibrant celebration of North American soccer.