2018 MLS All-Star Game
| Target All-Star Atlanta '18 | |||||||
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| Event | 2018 Major League Soccer season | ||||||
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| Juventus won 5–3 on penalties | |||||||
| Date | August 1, 2018 | ||||||
| Venue | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia | ||||||
| Most Valuable Player | Josef Martínez (MLS All-Stars) | ||||||
| Referee | Robert Sibiga (United States) | ||||||
| Attendance | 72,317 | ||||||
The 2018 Major League Soccer All-Star Game was the 23rd edition of the annual Major League Soccer All-Star Game. It was held on August 1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia and played against Italian club Juventus. The match was tied 1–1 after 90 minutes and was settled in a penalty shoot-out that Juventus won 5–3.[1]
Josef Martínez won MVP.
The match was attended by 72,317, setting a new record for a standalone MLS All-Star Game.[2]
Pre-match
In October 2017, MLS announced that Atlanta would host the All-Star Game, due to the success of the first-year Atlanta United FC.[3] Juventus was confirmed as the match's opponents in March 2018, participating as part of their American pre-season tour.[4]
Match rules
- Unlimited substitutions
- Penalty shoot-out if tied through full time; no extra time
Squads
MLS All-Stars
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- Manager:
Gerardo Martino (Atlanta United)
Juventus
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- Manager:
Massimiliano Allegri
Notes:
- a Injured or otherwise unable to play.
Match
MLS All-Stars  .svg.png){kind=small} | 1–1 | Juventus |
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Martínez  26' |
Report | Favilli 21' |
| Penalties | ||
| 3–5 | ||
          MLS All-Stars
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     Juventus
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Most valuable player:
Assistant referees:
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Match rules
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Controversy
Zlatan Ibrahimović, then a player of the Los Angeles Galaxy, was selected for the All-Star Game, but he chose to withdraw from the game, citing fatigue caused by travelling and the congested schedule.[5] In consequence, the MLS suspended Ibrahimović for the regular season game after the All-Star Game,[6] which saw the Colorado Rapids defeat the Galaxy by 2-1.[7] In a later interview, Ibrahimović called the suspension "ridiculous". "They do whatever they want. I come from a different world, I come from the real world." said Ibrahimović.[7]
References
- ↑ Roberson, Doug (August 1, 2018). "Martinez scores but MLS All-Stars fall to Juventus in front of record crowd". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ↑ "2018 MLS All-Star Game breaks ASG attendance record". Major League Soccer. August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ↑ Roberson, Doug (October 18, 2017). "Atlanta will host 2018 MLS All-Star game". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ↑ "Italian giants Juventus announced as 2018 MLS All-Star Game opponents". MLSsoccer.com. March 22, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ↑ Creditor, Avi (June 30, 2018). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic Withdraws From MLS All-Star Game vs. Juventus". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- ↑ Couch, Ben (June 29, 2018). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic to miss 2018 MLS All-Star Game, next LA Galaxy match". Major League Soccer. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- 1 2 "Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Suspension for skipping MLS All-Star Game 'ridiculous'". ESPN. August 9, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
Friendly association football tournaments in 2018 | |
|---|---|
« 2017 2019 » | |
| Florida Cup | Florida (10–20 January) |
| Four Nations Tournament |  Ndola (21–25 March) |
| International Friendship Championship |  Basra (21–27 March) |
| King's Cup |  Bangkok (22–25 March) |
| China Cup |  Nanning (22–26 March) |
| PSSI Anniversary Cup |  Cibinong (27 April–3 May) |
| Panda Cup | Chengdu (23–27 May) |
| International Champions Cup | Multiple locations (July–August) |
| Women's International Champions Cup | Miami (26–29 July) |
| MLS All-Star Game | Atlanta (1 August) |
| Alpine Cup |  Mandalay (1–5 August) |
| Vinaphone Cup |  Hanoi (3–7 August) |
| Joan Gamper Trophy |  Barcelona (15 August) |
| Bangabandhu Cup | |
| Olympic Return Cup |  Kuwait (9–15 October) |
