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MLS All‑Star Game in Charlotte Proceeded With Streaming Exclusivity and Key Absences

The match exposed calendar clashes, club decisions to withhold players, and exclusive Apple TV distribution that raise questions about player pay and future scheduling.

Overview

  • The All‑Star Game was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Wednesday, July 29, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
  • Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass carried the primary broadcast feed while partner platforms such as Amazon Prime Video provided additional access in some markets.
  • Liga MX entered the match short handed after about ten initially selected players were kept by their clubs to prepare for Apertura fixtures and Antonio Mohamed revised his 24‑player roster.
  • MLS excused Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul from participation without sanction under post‑World Cup rest agreements, and Liga MX won the pre‑match Skills Challenge; the game follows exhibition rules so ties after 90 minutes go straight to penalties.
  • Organizers and media highlighted lingering questions about whether players receive participation payments and how repeated schedule congestion between MLS and Liga MX will be resolved for future cross‑league events.