Major League Soccer hosts an annual All-Star Game every summer where their best players take on a team from a foreign country. This year, the MLS All-Stars will take on one of the English Premier League's elite clubs.
The MLS All-Star Team will take on Arsenal FC on July 19 in Washington, DC, according to The Athletic. No official announcement from either Arsenal or the MLS is available at this time.
Arsenal are one of the most in-form teams in Europe right now. The Gunnars sit eight points clear of Manchester City atop the Premier League table. If they hold on, it would be the first Premier League title for Arsenal since the 2003-04 season.
The MLS has welcomed Premier League clubs for their All-Star Game in the past. For example, the All-Star Team played against Manchester United in 2011.
In fact, current DC United head coach Wayne Rooney played for Man United at the time. He was on the MLS All-Star Team in 2019 when the MLS welcomed La Liga giants Atlético Madrid.
The host city traditionally coaches the All-Star team, making Rooney the expected coach. The Manchester United legend re-joined DC United last summer after a run as manager of English football league side Derby County.
This news caused a divide among MLS fans on social media. Some were very excited, especially those who support Arsenal in the Premier League.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/oWwXXFdTTs
— Ishmael Johnson (@IshmaelRJohnson) March 20, 2023
WTF LFGGGG I MIGHT GET TO WATCH MY BOYS FINALLY https://t.co/fUKMqQ7vZp
— The Mighty Arsenal (@asturdycannon) March 20, 2023
LETS GOOOOOO https://t.co/76cEN9tRGQ
— Tyler (@TMftbl) March 20, 2023
However, others felt like this move was not needed. The MLS has 29 clubs now with the addition of St. Louis City SC this season. Some felt the league should do away with the All-Star Game. Others feel it should be a Conference vs. Conference set up.
I wish they’d stop playing this game for good. Just makes the MLS look more amateur and gives people every reason to just watch the big boys.
— Nick (@LFC_Nick_) March 20, 2023
East vs west would’ve be way better
— Kevin🦋 (@kevLAFC) March 20, 2023
We have 29 teams in the league… are you saying we can’t field an east vs. west game? We really need this stupid gimmick. So dumb.
— Benny Armstrong (@barmstrong2185) March 20, 2023
Let’s just maybe stop the whole all star game thing 🤷🏼♂️ https://t.co/EXDRDqA1ns
— Mike Lefave (@m_lefave15) March 20, 2023
In any event, this year's MLS All-Star Game will certainly draw attention. Some fans will hate the event outright, while others will enjoy seeing a top European outfit stateside.