Why Is IShowSpeed Participating In the 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge Alongside Dempsey & Diego Luna?

One of the world’s most famous streamers, IShowSpeed, will participate in the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge alongside former USMNT star Clint Dempsey and 2025 Gold Cup sensation Diego Luna. But how did a streamer end up competing among professional players in a skills challenge?

The MLS All-Star week is here, bringing the best players from Major League Soccer to face Liga MX’s top stars. Unlike past editions, the Mexican league now features James Rodríguez and Sergio Ramos—two former Real Madrid legends and multiple-time European champions.

So if professional players are competing, why is IShowSpeed part of the MLS Skills Challenge?

MLS invited the streamer to participate in an unofficial role in the 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge. Speed, who has over 42 million YouTube subscribers and regularly draws massive crowds wherever he goes, was chosen for his influence and exposure. But it’s not just about the numbers—he also has basic soccer skills, having played in charity matches around the world.

MLS is clearly trying to turn this exhibition event into something more fan-focused, especially targeting younger audiences. By mixing former players (like Clint Dempsey), current stars (Jordi Alba, Diego Luna, Denis Bouanga), and global streamers like IShowSpeed, MLS aims to make the event more engaging.