The 2023 MLS All-Star Game takes place at DC United’s Audi Field on Wednesday, July 19. Premier League giant Arsenal is this year’s opponent, meaning the MLS All-Stars will face a European club for the first time since 2019.
Fittingly, EPL legend Wayne Rooney will coach the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday. The former England and Manchester United striker has a 28-man roster at his disposal, featuring many of the best players in Major League Soccer.
If you’re planning to wager on the MLS All-Star Game, I’ve got you covered. After assessing the odds, previewing the matchup and going over other useful betting advice, I will provide my prediction and pick for the MLS All-Stars vs. Arsenal showdown.
MLS All-Star Game 2023 Odds
What better way to kick things off than by checking out the latest odds for the 2023 MLS All-Star Game?
- Arsenal (-220)
- Draw (+370)
- MLS All-Stars (+525)
As you can see, Arsenal is the bookies’ clear favorite to win the 2023 MLS All-Star Game. This should come as no surprise to soccer fans or bettors, as the Gunners finished second in the Premier League last season.
The MLS All-Stars are priced at +525, making them the obvious underdogs. Of course, the roster is littered with top players, but Major League Soccer is nowhere near the level of the Premier League.
Lastly, you can get odds of +370 for the draw. Since three of the last five MLS All-Star Games have gone the distance, the draw presents tasty value for those who want to try their luck.
2023 MLS All-Star Game Preview
Following games against the Liga MX All-Stars in 2021 and 2022, the MLS All-Stars are set to face a European club for the first time since their 3-0 defeat to Spanish side Atletico Madrid back in 2019.
Naturally, Arsenal poses a big threat to the MLS All-Stars. The Gunners won 26 of their 38 Premier League matches last season, finishing just five points behind perennial champion Manchester City.
The best kind of training. #MLSAllStar pic.twitter.com/IvxVjRmyAG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2023
It is also worth noting that Arsenal has splashed the cash this summer, signing Delan Rice from West Ham United for a whopping £105m. On top of that, Kai Havertz has arrived from Arsenal in a £65m deal, while Jurrien Timber has been added for £34.4m.
Of course, Major League Soccer clubs cannot match that kind of spending, but the 2023 All-Star Game roster contains plenty of players that could cause Arsenal problems.
MLS All-Star Team Roster for 2023
Wayne Rooney’s roster features Hany Mukhtar (2022 MLS MVP) and Carles Gil (2021 MLS MVP). Last season, Mukhtar bagged 23 goals and seven assists in 33 league games, while Gil notched four goals and 12 assists in 2021.
Here is the 2023 MLS All-Star Game roster in full.
Coach
- Wayne Rooney (DC United)
Goalkeepers
- Roman Burki (St. Louis City SC)
- Tyler Miller (DC United)
- Dorde Petrovic (New England Revolution)
Defenders
- Alvaro Barreal (FC Cincinnati)
- Ryan Hollingshead (Los Angeles FC)
- Jon Gallagher (Austin FC)
- Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati)
- Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
- Tim Parker (St. Louis City SC)
- John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls)
- Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders
- Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)
- Mathieu Choiniere (CF Montreal)
- Hector Herrara (Houston Dynamo)
- Jose Martinez (Philadelphia Union)
- Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy)
- Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew)
- Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)
- Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
- Carles Gil (New England Revolution)
- Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew)
Forwards
- Kai Kamara (Chicago Fire)
- Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas)
- Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United)
- Christian Benteke (DC United)
- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
- Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC)
- Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes)
MLS All-Star Game History vs. Europe (2005-2019)
The All-Stars vs. Europe series took place between 2005 and 2019. If you’re betting on the 2023 MLS All-Star Game, be sure to study the team’s past results against European clubs.
- 2005 – MLS All-Stars 4-1 Fulham
- 2006 – MLS All-Stars 1-0 Chelsea
- 2007 – MLS All-Stars 2-0 Celtic
- 2008 – MLS All-Stars 3-2 West Ham United
- 2009 – MLS All-Stars 1-1 Everton (3-4 p)
- 2010 – MLS All-Stars 2-5 Manchester United
- 2011 – MLS All-Stars 0-4 Manchester United
- 2012 – MLS All-Stars 3-2 Chelsea
- 2013 – MLS All-Stars 1-3 Roma
- 2014 – MLS All-Stars 2-1 Bayern Munich
- 2015 – MLS All-Stars 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
- 2016 – MLS All-Stars 1-2 Arsenal
- 2017 – MLS All-Stars 1-1 Real Madrid (2-4 p)
- 2018 – MLS All-Stars 1-1 Juventus (3-5 p)
- 2019 – MLS All-Stars 0-3 Atletico Madrid
After winning their first four clashes against European teams, the MLS All-Stars managed to win just three of their next 11. As we head into the 2023 MLS All-Star Game, the home team is on a four-game winless run against clubs from Europe.
It is also worth remembering that Arsenal defeated the MLS All-Stars back in 2016, with the Gunners claiming a 2-1 victory on that occasion.
2023 MLS All-Star Game Prediction and Pick
At the end of the day, all the signs point towards the Arsenal win here. The Premier League club possesses multiple world-class players, meaning the MLS All-Stars will struggle to get a foothold in the contest.
Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli all scored 15 goals across all competitions last season, contributing 25 assists between them for good measure. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus bagged 11 goals and eight assists following his move from Man City.
A diverse group of MLS All-Stars means plenty of musical tastes—especially the dads. 😅
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) July 18, 2023
Check out the official @MLS playlist on Apple Music ahead of Wednesday's All-Star Game, airing at 8:30pm ET on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV. https://t.co/YrrB7eF3Su pic.twitter.com/a7Hmk6qrge
If you’re feeling brave, odds of +370 for the draw might be worth exploring. That said, Arsenal’s price of -220 still offers decent value, especially when you consider the gulf in quality between the two sides.
Best Bet: Arsenal (-220)
Enjoy the MLS All-Star Game With Sports Hub
That concludes my 2023 MLS All-Star Game betting preview. Having assessed the odds, analyzed both teams and looked at the All-Stars’ head-to-head record against European teams, I’m confident that we can make some money on Wednesday.
Before the MLS All-Star Game on July 19, Audi Field will host the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, featuring a shooting challenge, touch challenge, cross and volley challenge, passing challenge and crossbar challenge.
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