MLS All-Stars vs. Liga MX All-Stars, where to watch, live stream: Lionel Messi not named to final roster

MLS is past the midway point of the season, making Austin, Texas, the center of American soccer world as the all-star festivities come to down. The league’s best, minus Lionel Messi, will play an exhibition match where they’ll face off against the Liga MX all-stars. 

Messi, however, won’t be there, as the league announced the game roster on Wednesday, and he was absent. His club, Inter Miami, have not officially stated why, only confirming that he and Jordi Alba won’t play.

It’s the fourth time that the two leagues have met with MLS holding a 2-1 advantage, but with stars like Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez being in the match to represent Liga MX, the starpower will be on display left and right.

MLS has kicked off All-Star week by defeating Liga MX in the skills challenge, while MLS Next Pro also got in on the fun with the Eastern Conference All-Stars defeating the Western Conference in a 4-3 victory. All seven goals were scored by different players and if the clash between MLS and Liga MX can live up to that expectation, it’ll be quite a show. 

Here are storylines, how you can watch the match and more:

How to watch MLS All-Stars vs. Liga MX All-Stars

• Date: Wednesday, July 23 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
• Location: Q2 Stadium — Austin, Texas
• Live stream: MLS Season Pass

Last meeting

In the most recent meeting between these teams, the Liga MX All-Stars defeated MLS 4-1 in Columbus after MLS won the previous two matchups.

MLS All-Stars 

• Goalkeepers: Dayne St. Clair – Minnesota United FC, Brad Stuver – Austin FC, Yohei Takaoka – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Defenders: Jordi Alba – Inter Miami CF, Max Arfsten – Columbus Crew, Tristan Blackmon – Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Michael Boxall – Minnesota United FC, Alex Freeman – Orlando City, Jakob Glesnes – Philadelphia Union, Andy Najar – Nashville SC, Miles Robinson – FC Cincinnati, Kai Wagner – Philadelphia Union
• Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter – Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Cristian Espinoza – San Jose Earthquakes, Evander – FC Cincinnati, Carles Gil – New England Revolution, Diego Luna – Real Salt Lake, Hany Mukhtar – Nashville SC, Jeppe Tverskov – San Diego FC, Obed Vargas – Seattle Sounders FC, Philip Zinckernagel – Chicago Fire FC
• Forwards: Tai Baribo – Philadelphia Union, Denis Bouanga – LAFC, Anders Dreyer – San Diego FC, Chucky Lozano – San Diego FC, Marco Pašalić – Orlando City, Diego Rossi – Columbus Crew, Sam Surridge – Nashville SC, Brian White – Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Liga MX All-Stars

• Goalkeepers: Luis Malagón – Club América, Kevin Mier – Cruz Azul | Goalkeeper of the Year
• Defenders: Sebastián Cáceres – Club América, Willer Ditta – Cruz Azul, Luan García – Toluca, Jesús Gallardo – Toluca, Joaquim Pereira – Tigres UANL, Sergio Ramos – CF Monterrey, Israel Reyes – Club América, Ignacio Rivero – Cruz Azul, Carlos Rotondi – Cruz Azul 
• Midfielders: Roberto Alvarado – Chivas Guadalajara, Juan Brunetta – Tigres UANL, Sergio Canales – CF Monterrey, Rodrigo Dourado – Atlético San Luis, Érik Lira – Cruz Azul, Elías Montiel – CF Pachuca, Gilberto Mora – Club Tijuana, James Rodríguez – Club León, Marcel Ruíz – Toluca, Agustín Palavecino – Necaxa, Alejandro Zendejas – Club América
• Forwards: Diber Cambindo – Necaxa, Hugo Camberos – Chivas Guadalajara, Uroš Đurđević – Atlas, Henry Martín – Club América, Paulinho – Toluca, Brian Rodríguez – Club América, Alexis Vega – Toluca 

Prediction

Without Messi, the task will be too daunting as Liga MX’s attacking quality makes the difference. Pick: Liga MX 2, MLS 1