Major League Soccer’s best will try to prove themselves against a global giant when they take on Arsenal FC at the 2023 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday night in Washington.
The league’s 27th All-Star contest represents a return to its most-used format, in which MLS fields one All-Star team to take on a famous European club.
Arsenal visit during what appears to be a revival after the Gunners finished second last Premier League season, one place shy of their 14th league title and first in 19 years.
Arsenal also boast two one-time MLS players: U.S. men’s national team and former New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner, and former Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids defender Auston Trusty.
“It’s a really unique and cool opportunity,” said Trusty, who spent last season on loan with second-tier Birmingham City. “And being on the opposite side coming in, it’s much more cooler. It’s a dream come true.”
The game comes amid the backdrop of Argentine World Cup-winning star Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was not long ago a mainstay at UEFA Champions League finals with FC Barcelona, could make his debut Friday as Miami opens the Leagues Cup against Cruz Azul of Mexico.
While Messi won’t play Wednesday, four-time All-Star Walker Zimmerman says the game will be another example of how much the level of the league has risen in recent years.
“It’s night and day different,” the Nashville SC defender said. “This is my 11th season. You see the quality, not only in the top players on each team that they’re getting to come over (from abroad) or develop here, but you look at the depth of all the teams, and the overall product is significantly better.”
The MLS All-Stars are winless in the last four games played in this format. But these games are typically close, with nine of the 15 played in this format decided by a single goal or penalty kicks.
Of course, the outcome is secondary to shining a light on the league just as it enters an exciting new stage as the home of one of the world’s biggest stars.
“With football in the U.S., the whole entire mindset, through the national team and through MLS and everything we’re doing, is to grow the game,” Trusty said. “So I think we’re on the path.”
–Field Level Media