MLS All Star Game Skill Challenge to be Coed

By Anonymous (not verified), July 15, 2025

For Immediate Release
MLS Communications

MLS and LIGA MX All-Stars to Compete Alongside U.S. Women’s National Team and LIGA MX Femenil Standouts and League Greats in the 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge Presented by AT&T

Diego Luna and Denis Bouanga join MLS Great Clint Dempsey and U.S. Women’s National Team star Lindsey Heaps on roster set to face LIGA MX in ultimate test of soccer skills

MLS NEXT Pro goalkeepers to face off in third annual Goalie Wars competition

NEW YORK (Tuesday, July 15, 2025) – The best talents from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s top soccer league, LIGA MX, will square off in a test of soccer skills at the highly anticipated 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T. Taking place at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, July 22 at 8 p.m. CT, the event will be streamed live exclusively on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV in both English and Spanish.

Joining the MLS and LIGA MX All-Stars are legends Clint Dempsey and Oribe Peralta, along with U.S. Women’s National Team star Lindsey Heaps and LIGA MX Femenil standout Nicki Hernández. This marks the second year in a row that MLS and LIGA MX greats, alongside two of the best female players in North America, will join the All-Stars in the Skills Challenge.

The competition is comprised of five head-to-head contests rooted in the sport, each requiring ball control, accuracy, strategy, and teamwork.

CBS Sports analyst, U.S. Men’s National Team stalwart, and a Texas native, Dempsey will return to his home state to take part in the competition after a storied career with Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, the New England Revolution, and Seattle Sounders FC. Heaps, who plays for OL Lyonnes (France) and stars with the U.S. Women’s National Team, will also compete on Tuesday night, bringing her signature flair and World Cup-winning pedigree to the event. Representing Mexico are former LIGA MX veteran and Olympic gold medalist Peralta, and standout Mexico Women’s National Team defender Hernández who is currently starring for Club América.

Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), and Evander (FC Cincinnati) are among the top MLS players headlining the 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge roster. In total, the group represents nine different clubs across the league with each player selected for their skill in shooting, touch, and passing.

Four participants on the MLS roster have previously competed in the All-Star Skills Challenge, including Evander, Luna, Bouanga, and Jordi Alba. The remaining players – Sebastian Berhalter, Anders Dreyer, Alex Freeman Sam Surridge, Brad Stuver, and Yohei Takaoka – are set to make their debut in the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T.