By Victor Araiza
On The Ground from MLS All-Star Game
The countdown to Leagues Cup 2026 is officially on. Tickets are currently available and fans are encouraged to visit leaguescup.com/tickets or their local club websites for details.
With less than a week before clubs from Major League Soccer and LIGA MX begin another chapter in their cross-border competition, Charlotte has become the meeting point for the two leagues during MLS All-Star Week.
From Tuesday's Skills Challenge to Wednesday night's MLS All-Star Game, many of the biggest stars from both leagues are sharing the stage before quickly returning to their clubs for another edition of Leagues Cup.
A preview of what's to come
The MLS All-Star festivities offer an early look at the talent set to headline Leagues Cup in the days ahead.
MLS boasts stars Son Heung-Min, Thomas Müller, Evander, Hany Mukhtar, Tim Ream, and emerging talents like Zavier Gozo — all of whom will participate in Leagues Cup with their respective clubs.
LIGA MX counters with an equally impressive group that includes Erik Lira, Juan Brunetta, Salomón Rondón, Javier Ruiz, and rising stars like Elías Montiel and Alexei Domínguez.
Among the players embracing the occasion is Cruz Azul midfielder Erik Lira, one of the stars of the Mexico national team that co-hosted the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After captaining Cruz Azul to the Campeón de Campeones title over Toluca FC last weekend, Lira now turns his attention to representing LIGA MX during All-Star Week before returning to La Máquina in the Leagues Cup.
“We represent LIGA MX, which means representing Mexico,” Lira said in a sit-down with LIGA MX’s social media team. “Even though there are players of various nationalities, when representing Mexico is at stake, I believe we play with that same intensity.”
“The only difference I see is that they clearly play in the United States and we play in Mexico. Given the Mexico-U.S. matchup, that rivalry is always there. I think it’s time to prove ourselves. It’s time for us, as Mexicans, to put in a great performance,” Lira added.
Skills Challenge sets the tone
Tuesday night's MLS All-Star Skills Challenge offered the first taste of this year’s MLS-LIGA MX rivalry.
MLS players won three of the four individual events. Thomas Müller matched the all-time Shooting Challenge record with 79 points before FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander, the previous record holder with 72, equaled the mark later in the competition.
Afterward, Evander reflected on matching Müller in one of the night's signature moments.
“It was like something out of a movie, because I managed to beat my own record, and in a very special way, against Thomas Müller, who is a legend,” Evander told Apple TV. “Sharing that moment with the legends who are here is a lot of happiness.”
Charlotte FC captain Tim Ream, who also served as captain for the U.S. men’s national team at the World Cup, gave the home crowd another reason to celebrate by winning the Passing Challenge.
Orlando City SC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who also featured in goal this summer for World Cup co-hosts Canada, captured the Goalie Wars title.
LIGA MX answered with standout performances of its own. Necaxa midfielder Javier Ruiz claimed the Crossbar Challenge before the stars of the Mexican top-flight closed the evening by winning the MLS vs. LIGA MX Relay Challenge.
The handoff to Leagues Cup
The MLS vs. LIGA MX format, taking place for a third consecutive year, has turned All-Star Week into the prelude to Leagues Cup.
LIGA MX claimed a 4-2 victory when the format returned in 2024 before MLS answered with a 3-1 win in 2025. MLS won the first two editions, on penalties in 2021 and by a 2-1 scoreline in 2022.
The match celebrates the best talent from North America's two premier leagues, but it also serves as the final “friendly” before the intensity of Leagues Cup begins.
Within days, many of the same stars who shared the field in Charlotte will become opponents again, with Leagues Cup silverware, regional bragging rights, and three berths in the Concacaf Champions Cup at stake.
Leagues Cup and tickets are currently available. Fans are encouraged to visit leaguescup.com/tickets or their local club websites for ticket details. For general information, visit LeaguesCup.com and follow @LeaguesCup on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube; @LeaguesCup on TikTok and subscribe to our channel on WhatsApp.
