Four USMNT Storylines to Watch in the MLS All-Star Game

Soccer fans will get to watch the best of the best at the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, from Lionel Messi to U.S. Men’s National Team players.

Six USMNT players who took the USA to the Concacaf Gold Cup Final will participate in the All-Star Game including Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), and Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC).

The 29th All-Star Game in league history kicks off Wednesday, July 23 at 9 p.m. ET from Austin, Texas (MLS Season Pass, Apple TV).

Here are four USMNT storylines to follow:

1. USMNT First-Timers

This All-Star Game will feature four first-time All-Stars who have played for the U.S.National Team. Sebastian Berhalter, Alex Freeman, Max Arfsten and Brian White made their debut on the MLS All-Star roster this year and are poised to play in the first All-Star Game in their careers Wednesday. 

Freeman, 20, is the youngest player in Orlando City SC history to become an All-Star. The fullback also made his USMNT debut this past summer after he received his first call-up ahead of the June friendly window and the Gold Cup. He started seven games at outside back in the red, white and blue. Meanwhile, White, at 29 years old, is the oldest of the group making their debut. The Whitecaps striker has been one of the best goal scorers in MLS this season with 11 goals — tied for sixth in the league.

Berhalter and Arfsten, like Freeman, were integral facets of the Gold Cup roster, much like they are to their respective clubs. Arfsten recently appeared on the U.S. Soccer Podcast, diving into what he’s most excited about heading into his first All-Star experience. Berhalter will be a featured guest on this week’s episode, which drops Wednesday morning.

2. Teammates Across the Board

Berhalter and White can call each other teammates on three different teams: the Whitecaps, the USMNT and now MLS All-Stars.

During All-Star press conferences, White crashed Berhalter’s media availability by asking, “What’s been your warm, fuzzy and cold, prickly of your summer so far?”

Berhalter’s answer? “Brian White” in both categories.

The banter was allingood fun, but it underscores the relationship the two have built with extended time together. That’s translated on the field, too. Berhalter scored his second goal of the season in Vancouver’s recent 3-0 win over Houstonoff an assist from White.

3. Can a USMNT Player Recapture the MVP?

The last time a USMNT player won MLS All-Star MVP was in 2021 when goalkeeper Matt Turner earned the honor. Before that, it was legendary forward Landon Donovan in 2014. Seven total players who played for the USMNT took home the MVP trophy.

The last time an MLS player was named MVP was in 2022. That was the last time the MLS All-Stars won the game against an international opponent. Could a USMNT player be this year’s MVP?

4. USA-Mexico Rivalry 

USMNT vs. El Tri is one of the most storied rivalries in international sports. The 2025 MLS All-Star Game will feature whispers of that. USMNT players will face several players from the Mexico roster that won the Gold Cup earlier this month in a 2-1 battle against the United States in Houston, Texas.

This is the fourth time that the Liga MX All-Stars face the best from MLS. The MLS All-Stars won the first two in 2021 and 2022, including an exciting penalty shootout in the first meeting. Liga MX won the most recent edition last summer, 4-1.