The MLS All-Star game was at the top of the topic of conversation last week. Unfortunately, it wasn’t talked about for the right reasons. Low attendance and viewership displayed that the MLS All-Star game doesn’t attract new fans and bring on old fans who watch their teams each week.
Their partnership with Liga MX has gone beyond the All-Star game, causing fans to wonder why they continue playing the Liga MX All-Stars, then proceed to play head-to-head against their teams in the Leagues Cup.
I will give two solutions that I believe are the best two ways to get fans invested back into the All-Star game while making it interesting to the players.
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USA Vs the World
The MLS could steal a play from the NBA All-Star game and make the USA nationals play against MLS players from other parts of the world.
This would be a fun display for the fans to see what nation each player is from and see how USA nationals fare against some of the stars that made their way to the MLS from Europe.
The biggest problem with this format is that the players from across the world outclass the USA players on talent alone. The majority of Designated players are from other countries that have become stars in the MLS after failing to compete at the highest levels or after passing their prime.
This may not be the biggest and brightest idea in the world, but it could have fans learn new players from both sides while hopefully bringing in an international audience that will recognize players from Europe.
The biggest problem would be if the World team beats Team USA by an embarrassing amount. This could draw fans away if it doesn’t work out.
A Brand new All-Star Draft
Another way to get the fans into an All-Star game is to lend control to the players while making a huge presentation of the event to bring more eyes to the event.
The first thing that needs to take place is a captain selection; the All-Star on the top-ranked team in both conferences becomes a captain, and they will have a draft.
No East vs West, just players drafting each other to then face off in the skills competitions and then the All-Star game. Mic up the players during the All-Star game, not like the MLB making it a live interview, but more like the NBA or NFL.
During breaks, highlighting some of the quotes from the game that players said while mic’d up.
Seeing which players are friends could spark drama and establish rumors regarding the transfer market. This may be the best way for the MLS to get more eyes on this game, making it a true All-Star weekend and not just another game between the regular season and the league’s cup.
The MLS has too many games at the moment due to the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Club World Cup, adding extra games to teams and players. The World Cup caused Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders, and LAFC to have to make up games in the middle of the week.
Next year, things need to change for the MLS and its All-Star game if they truly plan on expanding the world’s game to an American audience.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / Icon Sportswire
Recording Date 22.07.2025