The summer of soccer fun will not end with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
MLS returns on July 16, and the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime is right around the corner, taking place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on July 29.
MLS unveiled this year's All-Star cast on Wednesday, and the pathway will be represented. MLS NEXT Pro was the proving ground for five alumni who've gone on to become all-star caliber at the big-league level; in total, 10 players who have appeared in MLS NEXT Pro were named to the roster.
Fresh off the 2026 FIFA World Cup bid with the U.S. men's national team, the former Philadelphia Union II 'keeper returns to his post at New York City FC in MLS, where he was among the league's elite before the break.
After bouncing up and down the ranks at Philadelphia Union, Freese posted a dominant 16-game season in MLS NEXT Pro in 2022 that propelled him to be a full-time first-teamer from then on.
Arfsten, also coming off the USMNT World Cup campaign, has been a versatile weapon for the Columbus Crew along the left flank. Prior to winning the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup with the Crew, Arfsten got his professional start in San Jose with Earthquakes II.
Gozo, 19, was a regular with Real Monarchs from 2022 to 2024. He made one, perhaps final, appearance in MLS NEXT Pro last season as he rose to prominence in the Real Salt Lake first-team setup.
Featuring as a versatile right-sided specialist, Gozo's breakout has extended to 2025 with 6g/5a posted in 14 big-league appearances. Even the MLS neutrals took notice, evidenced by Gozo being voted into the 2026 All-Star First XI.
Rising through the RBNY ranks from Academy to first-team levels, Hall also enjoyed a breakout MLS campaign in 2025 while also adding 3g/1a to Red Bull New York II's MLS NEXT Pro Cup championship crusade.
The true Homegrown posted a torrid 9g/4a before the World Cup break and will resume MLS action in the thick of the 2026 Golden Boot race.
Markanich featured for Colorado Rapids 2, St Louis CITY2, and Minnesota United FC 2 en route to his path to being recognized as one of the best left-backs in the league, also being voted into the First XI.
His four-goal start to 2026 paces all outside backs in MLS and puts him on pace to match his breakout nine-goal season in 2025.
Five other All-Stars have made MLS NEXT Pro appearances.
Seattle Sounders centerback Jackson Ragen made two starts for Tacoma Defiance in 2022.
Canada and Portland Timbers goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau made five rehab starts with LAFC 2 in 2023.
USMNT World Cup selection and Vancouver Whitecaps All-Star midfielder Sebastian Berhalter made one appearance with WFC2 in 2023.
Also in 2023, then-rookie MLS SuperDraft selection Daniel Munie made 11 MLS NEXT Pro appearances with Quakes II on his path to becoming a first-team regular for San Jose in MLS.
Last season, Nashville SC goalkeeper Brian Schwake made five appearances for Huntsville City FC.
Full 2026 MLS All-Star roster by position and selection mechanism:
GOALKEEPERS (3)
- Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City SC; Coach’s Selection)
- Matt Freese (New York City FC; Coach’s Selection)
- Brian Schwake (Nashville SC; Voted In)
DEFENDERS (10)
- Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; Coach’s Selection)
- Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids; Coach’s Selection)
- Richie Laryea (Toronto FC; Commissioner’s Pick)
- Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United FC; Voted In)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire FC; Voted In)
- Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew; Coach’s Selection)
- Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes; Coach’s Selection)
- Andy Najar (Nashville SC; Voted In)
- Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders FC; Coach’s Selection)
- Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; Voted In)
MIDFIELDERS (9)
- Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC; Voted In)
- Pep Biel (Charlotte FC; Coach’s Selection)
- Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami CF; Coach’s Selection)
- Evander (FC Cincinnati; Coach’s Selection)
- Carles Gil (New England Revolution; Coach’s Selection)
- Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake; Voted In)
- Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC; Voted In)
- Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps FC; Coach’s Selection)
- Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC; Coach’s Selection)
FORWARDS (7)
- Hugo Cuypers (Chicago Fire FC; Voted In)
- Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC; Coach’s Selection)
- Julian Hall (Red Bull New York; Commissioner’s Pick)
- Son Heung-Min (LAFC; Voted In)
- Leo Messi (Inter Miami CF; Voted In)
- Petar Musa (FC Dallas; Coach’s Selection)
- Sam Surridge (Nashville SC; Coach’s Selection)
