The best players in MLS will take on Arsenal in the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 28 in San Jose, setting up the latest MLS vs. English Premier League matchup in the midsummer showcase.
In fact, Thursday marks the ninth time in which the All-Stars will play an EPL club and MLS has held the advantage over the EPL, winning five of the previous eight matchups.
Arsenal, who played the New York Red Bulls on US soil in 2014, will be the seventh English All-Star opponent: Fulham, Chelsea, West Ham United, Everton, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were the others.
Here's how they fared. For a complete history of the MLS All-Star Game, visit MLSsoccer.com's history section.
2005: MLS All-Stars 4, Fulham 1 – MAPFRE Stadium
The All-Stars’ first-ever European opponent, Fulham, arrived in Columbus with former MLS All-Stars Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride in tow. The All-Stars still thrashed the Cottagers by a final score of 4-1.
2006: MLS All-Stars 1, Chelsea 0 – Toyota Park
Chelsea were coming off two-straight Premier League titles when they faced off against the All-Stars in Illinois. But Dwayne De Rosario & Co. turned out to be formidable opponents with the MLS legend dealing the stunning, game-winning blow.
2008: MLS All-Stars 3, West Ham United 2 – BMO Field
De Rosario was the hero yet again in 2008, this time clinching the result from the penalty kick spot. Dean Ashton had equalized for the Hammers at 2-2 just two minutes prior to De Rosario’s 69th-minute conversion.
2009: Everton 1 (4), MLS All-Stars 1 (3) – Rio Tinto Stadium
In the only All-Star Game ever go to penalty kicks, USMNT star goalkeeper Tim Howard emerged as the star, saving Freddie Ljungberg’s penalty kick to seal the victory for the Toffees. Future New York Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill started and played 76 minutes for the English side.
2010: Manchester United 5, MLS All-Stars 2 – Reliant Stadium
Then new Manchester United signing Javier “Chicharito" Hernandez wowed the Houston crowd by coming off the bench to score his first goal in a Red Devils uniform, their fifth with six minutes remaining. Hometown hero Brian Ching was the standout for MLS, with a goal and an assist.
2011: Manchester United 4, MLS All-Stars 0 – Red Bull Arena
The reigning Premier League champions put on another dominant performance in Harrison, New Jersey. Manchester United’s star-studded squad, featuring Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic, steamrolled the All-Stars thanks in part to Rooney’s two assists.
2012: MLS All-Stars 3, Chelsea 2 – Talen Energy Stadium
After two years of tough results against Manchester United, it was a return to form for the All-Stars. This one wasn’t easy as future New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard put Chelsea up 2-1 in the 58th minute. But the All-Stars stormed back behind goals from Chris Pontius and a stoppage-time winner from Seattle Sounders striker Eddie Johnson.
2015: MLS All-Stars 2, Tottenham Hotspur 1 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
A star-studded MLS squad provided the firepower as Kaká and David Villa registered first-half goals just four minutes apart. Rising English star Harry Kane netted Tottenham’s lone goal, but it was not enough as MLS held strong to see out the result.
