Soccer <\/p>\n
CHARLOTTE, N.C. \u2013 After it was all over, with memories made and a freewheeling 4-3 victory<\/a> over LIGA MX in the bank, Ashley Westwood<\/a> could admit to his initial MLS All-Star skepticism.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cThe minute it was announced, I was a bit \u2013 I don’t know, it’s different for the Englishmen, for the Europeans,\u201d Charlotte FC<\/a>\u2019s captain told reporters in the MLS All-Stars\u2019 locker room deep inside Bank of America Stadium.<\/p>\n \u201cBut once you’re in it, it’s incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n All-star games are a uniquely North American phenomenon, one that players from overseas sometimes struggle to get their heads around.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s beguiling: gathering with a couple dozen of your most talented peers from across the continent and putting on a show for a festive, appreciative crowd like the one that packed into B of A\u2019s lower bowl on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n It helped that Son Heung-Min<\/a>\u2019s first-half brace, orchestrated by two delightful assists from New England Revolution<\/a> playmaker Carles Gil<\/a>, boosted the energy levels early.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cI love it. I think it’s so fun,\u201d said Chicago Fire FC<\/a>\u2019s Danish winger Philip Zinckernagel<\/a>, who scored the MLS side\u2019s third goal. \u201cIt’s a great way to bring the players together and celebrate the league … I think it’s a great concept.<\/p>\n \u201cMLS has a lot of quality and so many talents. So it’s just a fun way to showcase it.\u201d<\/p>\n The fans did their part, too, roaring on both sides in this open, flowing affair and showcasing the lively supporter culture that\u2019s taken root in this city with striking speed.<\/p>\n \u201cVery, very nice. All game long you can hear the drums,\u201d noted Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> star Thomas M\u00fcller<\/a> approvingly. \u201cNot a boring one! It was a really intense one. So I think everyone had fun.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it was a good thing to represent the league, and now we go on.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n It\u2019s a fleeting moment, one squeezed into a congested calendar in a FIFA World Cup<\/a> year, with Leagues Cup<\/a> and the MLS stretch run in the weeks ahead. With league action looming this weekend, playing time was carefully balanced, and many in the squad had to hustle out of the stadium shortly after the final whistle to catch flights home.<\/p>\n Zinckernagel\u2019s Fire will host Westwood and his Charlotte side at Soldier Field on Saturday (8:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a>), prompting CLTFC and All-Stars head coach Dean Smith to joke about wearing out \u2018Zinck\u2019 by playing him the full 90 minutes against LIGA MX \u2013 and the Dane insisted he actually wouldn\u2019t have minded.<\/p>\n \u201cI would have loved to play 90,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was so fun to be out there, just enjoying myself with these amazing players. I was like, \u2018It’s already over?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you have [Nashville SC star Hany] Mukhtar and Gil and these guys, it’s football IQ on a high level, so it’s just fun.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n All-Star status provides these players a unique opportunity not just to kick around with elite talents they\u2019re usually battling against, but to connect as human beings \u2013 to share a meal, a conversation, perhaps a round of golf. And in the game itself, they tend to entertain, pulling out a rare trick or flick for some extra sauce.<\/p>\n \u201cNormally we always compete with each other. We have hard battles,\u201d noted Mukhtar<\/a>, \u201cand this is the time where we come all together and have a good time, getting to know each other, getting to know each other’s families. That’s also a very nice part of this event. We all enjoyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing quite like it in world soccer, and those who experience it will readily defend this tradition against its doubters.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that we can share the field and more \u2013 meals, to talk to one another, and to see above the field, this is what I enjoy, honestly,\u201d said Orlando City<\/a> goalkeeper\u00a0Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s very entertaining. It’s part of our game and the North American culture, you know what I mean? It’s a natural thing. So personally, I do think it should happen every year, and it’s just fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Another All-Star adventure, another batch of new converts.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ve embraced the American culture; I’ll fully embrace the All-Star culture,\u201d said Westwood with a wry grin.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s been a pleasure to be a part of. It’s something I will always remember for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nStar power<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Summer of soccer<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
All-Star culture<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n