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Full Roster for 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge Unveiled

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Farah Ben Gamra | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 3:02 PM ET

The 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge is here. Tonight at Austin's Q2 Stadium, some of the league's biggest names will face off against talent from Liga MX in an up-tempo game that’s all about skills and creativity.

The event begins at 9 p.m. ET and will be streamed for free on Apple TV. You can also catch it on DirecTV, Xfinity and Amazon Prime Video.

Ten MLS players will compete in five events: Shooting, Touch, Cross & Volley, Passing and the fan favorite Crossbar Challenge. Goalie Wars is back this year, a fun one-on-one battle between goalkeepers that always steals the show.

This year’s MLS roster has a mix of returning stars and first-time participants. Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba has plenty of experience, while Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Cincinnati’s Evander are back after strong performances last year. Austin FC’s Brad Stuver will represent the home crowd and rising stars like Vancouver’s Sebastian Berhalter and Orlando’s Alex Freeman will get their first taste of the spotlight.

MLS Roster:

Jordi Alba (Inter Miami)
Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC)
Evander (FC Cincinnati)
Alex Freeman (Orlando City)
Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake)
Sam Surridge (Nashville SC)
Brad Stuver (Austin FC)
Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Diego Luna, Alex Freeman, Sebastian Berhalter, and Clint Dempsey are set to compete in the @MLS All-Star Skills Challenge TONIGHT! ✨
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 22, 2025

MLS legends Clint Dempsey and Lindsey Heaps will also be part of the event as special guests.

Liga MX is coming strong. They won last year’s Skills Challenge and are looking to do it again with a stacked roster featuring León’s James Rodríguez, América’s Brian Rodríguez and Monterrey’s Sergio Canales among others. Oribe Peralta and Nicki Hernández will join as guest stars.

Liga MX Roster:

Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL)
Sergio Canales (Monterrey)
Rodrigo Dourado (Atlético San Luis)
Luis Malagón (Club América)
Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul)
Paulinho (Toluca)
Brian Rodríguez (Club América)
James Rodríguez (León)
Alexis Vega (Toluca)
Alejandro Zendejas (Club América)

Some absolute ballers.

The MLS All-Star Skills Challenge roster is locked in. pic.twitter.com/ivM8H7T9rj
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 15, 2025

The Goalie Wars is also a must-watch. Four MLS NEXT Pro goalkeepers will go head-to-head in a bracket-style competition. Carlos Mercado, who’s from Texas, will have a bit of a homecoming in front of the Austin crowd. He’s joined by Pedro Cruz, Adisa De Rosario and veteran Eldin Jakupović.

Goalie Wars Participants:

Eldin Jakupović (Chattanooga FC)
Pedro Cruz (Houston Dynamo 2)
Carlos Mercado (Orlando City B)
Adisa De Rosario (Toronto FC II)

Each challenge tonight will test a different skill—whether it’s clean first touches, long-range accuracy or perfectly timed volleys. The teams are also playing for a good cause with both leagues raising $25,000 each for their community foundations.

MLS is looking to bounce back after last year’s loss and Liga MX is bringing the heat so this year’s Skills Challenge is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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