News Summary
The MLS All-Stars secured a convincing 4-2 victory over LIGA MX in the 2025 Skills Challenge held at Q2 Stadium in Austin. Evander from FC Cincinnati shined by breaking the Shooting Challenge record, scoring 72 points. The match saw dramatic performances, with key saves from Austin FC’s goalkeeper and impactful goals from multiple players. The excitement builds as the All-Star Game approaches, with MLS leading the historical series against LIGA MX. The local community is also engaged, with four heroes set to be honored during the festivities.
Austin, Texas
The 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, held on Tuesday night at Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium, concluded with the MLS All-Stars securing a 4-2 victory over their LIGA MX rivals. This win marks the first Skills Challenge title for MLS since 2022, setting a competitive tone for the upcoming All-Star Game.
Evander from FC Cincinnati was the standout player of the evening, achieving a record-breaking 72 points in the Shooting Challenge, surpassing the previous high of 65 points held by Héctor Herrera in 2022. The Touch Challenge also saw impressive performances, with Club América’s Alex Zendejas and Brian Rodríguez setting a new combined record of 120 points, breaking the old mark of 71 points.
LIGA MX began the challenge strongly, when Gilberto Mora from Club Tijuana took the lead with exceptional volleys. However, Austin FC’s goalkeeper Brad Stuver made critical saves that shifted momentum back to MLS. Later in the competition, Denis Bouanga from LAFC scored a crucial goal to equalize the score at 2-2, earning both teams a point.
Clint Dempsey, a revered figure in MLS and the U.S. Men’s National Team, also made headlines by defeating Mexican football star Oribe Peralta in their face-off. Evander continued his dominant form by overcoming Rodrigo Dourado from Atlético San Luis, contributing significantly to the MLS tally.
The Skills Challenge reached a climactic conclusion when Vancouver Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka hit the crossbar with a successful shot, which ultimately sealed the win for the MLS All-Stars.
Looking Ahead
The excitement continues as the 2025 MLS All-Star Game is scheduled for 8 PM CT on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium. This year’s All-Star Game will feature rosters of 12 players from both MLS and LIGA MX, alongside special guests.
Nico Estévez, head coach of Austin FC, will lead the MLS All-Stars in this face-off against the LIGA MX squad, guided by Andre Jardine, who is returning for his second consecutive year after winning the 2025 LIGA MX Coach of the Year accolade. This event is significant, marking the fourth meeting between MLS and LIGA MX All-Stars, with MLS leading the historical series 2-1. The LIGA MX All-Stars took the victory in their most recent encounter.
Upcoming Events
Following the All-Star proceedings, the highly anticipated Leagues Cup 2025 will kick off on July 29, featuring a thrilling match-up of 36 teams from MLS and LIGA MX. MLS teams have a perfect record in the first two editions of the Leagues Cup, with Inter Miami winning in 2023 and Columbus Crew in 2024.
Austin FC has been a prominent venue since its inception in 2021, hosting an impressive streak of 81 consecutive sellouts, the longest active in the league. The upcoming games are expected to see international stars, including Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, and Nicolás Rodríguez, adding to the appeal and competitiveness of the event. Additionally, 16-year-old Gilberto Mora is poised to showcase his skills, anticipated to emerge as one of football’s rising stars.
As part of the All-Star week festivities, four local heroes will be honored for their contributions to the community, highlighting the strong connection between professional soccer and local engagement.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Team East Triumphs in MLS NEXT All-Star Game
Additional Resources
- MLS Soccer: Everything to Know About 2025 MLS All-Star Game
- KXAN: How Major League Soccer is Helping Keep Austin Clean
- CBS Austin: MLS All-Star Game to Honor Local Heroes
- Wikipedia: Major League Soccer
- Google News: MLS All-Star Game 2025
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
