MLS All-Star Game: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
After the showpiece fixture was cancelled during the 2020 season, the Major League Soccer All-Star Game is set to return in 2021.
Unlike in previous seasons, where the MLS All-Stars have taken on a touring European side, this time they will face off against the cream of the crop from Liga MX.
The cross-border derby is set to be played in front of a raucous crowd in Los Angeles and there will be plenty of exciting stars on show. Here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of the fixture.
Where to watch the MLS All-Star Game?
When is Kick Off? Wednesday 25 August
What Time is Kick Off? 9pm ET (6pm PT)
Where is it Played? Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (US)
Referee? Armando Villarreal
MLS All-Stars team news
The MLS' 26-man All-Star roster was revealed on 4 August with a combination of LAFC manager Bob Bradley and a supporter, player and media vote deciding the selections.
One of the main attractions is Carlos Vela, but Bradley recently confirmed that the striker would likely miss the game with a quad injury. With Javier Hernandez also out, MLS top scorer Raul Ruidiaz is likely to start up front.
Carles Gil and Tajon Buchanan pulled out of the squad after being selected, with Rodolfo Pizarro and George Bello their replacements.
It is hard to predict what might be on Bradley's mind beyond this but with each manager afforded unlimited substitutions, we can expect to see plenty of MLS favourites featuring at some point.
MLS All-Stars full roster
Goalkeepers: Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Pedro Gallese (Orlando City)
Defenders: Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy), Jesus David Murillo (LAFC), Nouhou (Seattle Sounders), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Alex Roldan (Seattle Sounders), James Sands (NYFC), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union), Yeimar (Seattle Sounders), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders: Eduard Atuesta (LAFC), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Damir Kreilach (Real Salt Lake), Joao Paulo (Seattle Sounders), Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Lucas Zelarayán (Columbus Crew)
Forwards: Gustavo Bou (New England Revolution), Tajon Buchanan (New England Revolution), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy), Nani (Orlando City), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas), Diego Rossi (LAFC), Raúl Ruidíaz (Seattle Sounders), Dániel Sallói (Sporting Kansas City), Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Liga MX All-Stars team news
Since announcing his squad, Liga MX All-Stars manager Juan Reynoso has had Jose de Jesus Corona and Fernando Navarro Moran ruled out with injury.
Nahuel Guzman and Jorge Sanchez have since replaced the pair and they will be hoping to feature alongside the likes of the evergreen Andre-Pierre Gignac.
However, there is no place in the squad for his Tigres UNAL teammate and fellow Frenchman Florian Thauvin.
Liga MX All-Stars full roster
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (América), Alfredo Talavera (Pumas), Nahuel Guzmán (UANL)
Defenders: William Tesillo (León), Matheus Dória (Santos), Victor Andrés Guzmán (Tijuana), Jorge Sánchez (América), Salvador Reyes (Puebla), Jesús Gallardo (Monterrey), Pablo Aguilar (Cruz Azul), César Montes (Monterrey) and Juan Escobar (Cruz Azul)
Midfielders: Luis Montes (León), Rubens Sambueza (Toluca), Fernando Gorriarán (Santos), Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Guido Pizarro (Tigres), Pedro Aquino (América), Ángel Mena (León) and Diego Valdés (Santos)
Forwards: Santiago Muñoz (Santos), Jonathan Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Alexis Canelo (Toluca), Gignac (Tigres) and Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey)
MLS All-Star games predicted lineups
MLS All-Stars: Turner; Araujo, Robinson, Sands, Wagner; Atuesta, Kreilach, Pizarro; Bou, Rudiaz, Nani.
Liga MX All-Stars: Ochoa, Sanchez, Tesilo, Doria , Reyes; Valdes, Montes, Gorriaran; Sambueza, Gignac, Mena
MLS All-Star prediction
The All-Star Game is always a tough one to predict but the 2021 iteration should at least have more of an edge as its being played in LA.
This atmosphere will energise both teams, which should hopefully lead to plenty of goals. We are backing the MLS All-Stars to just shade it in a five-goal thriller.
Prediction: MLS All-Stars 3-2 Liga MX All-Stars