CHARLOTTE — The MLS All-Stars defeated Liga MX 4-3 Wednesday night in front of a capacity crowd of 35,197 at Bank of America Stadium, capping a week of MLS All-Star festivities in Charlotte.
Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream earned a spot in the starting lineup for the hometown club’s first-ever MLS All-Star Game.
Liga MX struck first with an early goal from Luis Gabriel Rey, but newly signed Los Angeles FC star Son Heung-min energized the crowd by scoring twice in a three-minute span to help lift MLS to the victory.
The thrilling match marked the finale of Charlotte’s week-long celebration, bringing together the league’s biggest stars and thousands of fans for a historic night in the Queen City.
“It’s huge to have it in your own city, to be in there with Tim, with Pep. It’s nice to have your home comforts,” said Charlotte FC Captain Ashley Westwood.
Ream also put things into perspective when he told Channel 9 this might be the only time he’ll share an all-star field with both Westwood and Biel; something none of them took for granted.
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Ahead of the game, league leaders and former players hosted a special clinic at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex.
More than 400 kids packed the pitch in Matthews as part of MLS All-Star Community Day.
MLS leaders said it gave young players new opportunities and made them part of the excitement surrounding All-Star Week.
“It’s about the kids, their love for the game, seeing the look on their face when they get the opportunities and they learn about the new things that are coming their way,” said Jan Mirman, the vice president of Community Engagement at MLS.
“For me, I feel very proud of the place I live in, excited, and I hope the team wins,” said Frank Mungugia, a youth soccer player.
Students also learned about leadership, confidence, and setting goals for their futures.
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