MLS and Liga MX unveil how rosters will be selected for 2021 All-Star game in Los Angeles
Major League Soccer and Liga MX have revealed how rosters will be selected for the first joint All-Star game between North America's top professional soccer leagues on Aug. 25 in Los Angeles.
The MLS All-Star team will have 12 players selected by a vote of the league's players, fans and media (with each of the voting groups accounting for a third of the combined vote); 12 players will be selected by MLS All-Star coach Bob Bradley; and two players will be selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber. For the first time, players can be selected in seven specific positions: goalkeeper, right back, center back, left back, defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, and forward/winger.
How are MLS All-Stars selected?
Players, fans and media will cast their votes for 11 players: one goalkeeper, one right back, two center backs, one left back, one defensive midfielder, two attacking midfielders and three forwards/wingers. The top player in each position from the combined vote will be named an All-Star. The 12th player honored will be the one with the next-highest amount of votes overall. Fan voting opens Wednesday on the league's official website and app.
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How will Liga MX select its All-Stars?
For the Liga MX squad, 14 of its players will be those nominated to the 2020-2021 Balón de Oro awards in different positions: goalkeeper, defender, fullback, defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, and forward, including the top two rookies. The Balón de Oro awards ceremony takes place Saturday. The Liga MX coach will be the winner of the Balón de Oro’s top head coach award, and that person will select 11 additional players. Liga MX Executive President Mikel Arriola will fill out the roster by determining the 26th player.
The MLS-Liga MX All-Star game (9 p.m. ET on FS1 and Univision) is the third dual-national competition between the two leagues, joining the Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup. The 2021 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge will take place on Aug. 24, also at Banc of California Stadium (9 p.m. ET on FS1 and TUDN).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Liga MX, MLS reveal All-Star game roster selection process
