Messi and Alba skip MLS All-Star Game

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 23, 2025)  Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, two top players for Inter Miami, did not show up for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas. They were both chosen by fans to play against the best from Mexico’s Liga MX, but they skipped all events including the skills challenge. 

MLS rules say that if a player skips the All-Star Game without being hurt, they must sit out the next league match. That means Messi and Alba could miss Inter Miami’s game against FC Cincinnati this Saturday. MLS is talking with the team and will decide soon if the players will be suspended.

Some fans are upset, saying Messi and Alba should have at least played a little, while others feel the players need a break after recently playing a tough schedule.  A similar situation happened in 2018 with Zlatan Ibrahimović, who was suspended when he skipped the event.  Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, said he’d rather they rest than play mid-season.

MLS All-Stars ready for big match against LIGA MX

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 13, 2025) The 2025 MLS All-Star Game is almost here, and fans are getting excited. This year, 26 of the league’s best players will face off against top stars from Mexico’s LIGA MX. The big game will take place on July 23 at Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. CT, and it will be shown on MLS Season Pass.

The roster was picked in three ways. Twelve players were voted in by fans, media, and players. Another 12 were picked by MLS All-Star coach Nico Estévez. Two final players were selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

Some of the biggest names on the list include Lionel Messi from Inter Miami and Denis Bouanga from LAFC. Messi, who was voted in, is one of the most successful soccer players in the world. Bouanga also had a strong season and brings speed and goal-scoring power.

In goal, Dayne St. Clair from Minnesota United was voted in, while Brad Stuver of Austin FC and Yohei Takaoka of Vancouver were chosen by the coach.

The defense includes top players like Jordi Alba of Inter Miami and Michael Boxall of Minnesota, both voted in. Coach Estévez also picked players like Jakob Glesnes of Philadelphia and Andy Najar of Nashville.

The midfield is filled with talent too. Diego Luna from Real Salt Lake and Evander from FC Cincinnati were voted in. Sebastian Berhalter from Vancouver also made it in by vote. Other picks include Jeppe Tverskov from San Diego FC and David Da Costa from Portland.

The forwards are full of firepower. Along with Messi and Bouanga, voters picked Brian White of Vancouver and Tai Baribo from Philadelphia. Commissioner Don Garber added Patrick Agyemang of Charlotte FC and Chucky Lozano of San Diego FC.

Former Houston Cougars Wallace, Kelso And Goodnight To Play In Minor League All-Star Games

Wallace Will Participate In Home Run Derby Prior To Game

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 22, 2011) Former University of Houston catcher Chris Wallace and shortstop Blake Kelso will play in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game at 7:30 p.m. April 21 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md.

In addition to playing in the All-Star game, Wallace is one of 10 players that will compete in the 2011 BB&T Home Run Derby.

Wallace, who plays for the Lexington Legends, will play for the South Division, while Kelso, of the Hagerstown Suns, willrepresent the North Division. Players are chosen through voting by managers, coaches, front office executives, media and fans.

Wallace ranks second in the league standings with 14 home runs and fourth with 49 RBIs. He opened the season with a 12-game hitting streak and went on to be named the SAL Player of the Week. He also hit three home runs with nine RBIs against Asheville on April 17.

This is the second All-Star game for Wallace since he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 16th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Last season, he played in the Appalachian League All-Star game with the Greenville Astros.

Wallace spent four seasons behind the plate for Houston posting a career .291 batting average. He was selected to the All-Conference USA Second Team in 2009 and led the Cougars with 10 home runs as a senior.

Kelso will start at third base in the All-Star game and ranks fifth in the league with a .404 batting average. He also has 12 doubles, one triple and two home runs.

After being drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 10th round of the 2010 MLB Draft, Kelso began his professional career with the Vermont Lake Monsters of the New York-Penn League where he was named a mid-season All-Star.

Kelso was a staple in the Cougar infield,making 181 consecutive starts at shortstop. He finished his three-year career at UH with a .319 batting average, 41 doubles, 11 triples and eight home runs. He is also the school record holder with 588 assists.

MIDWEST LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME

In addition to Wallace and Kelso playing in the SAL All-Star Game, former pitcher Michael Goodnight will play for the Eastern Division in the Midwest League All-Star game Tuesday. The game willstart at 6 p.m. at the Quad Cities’ Modern Woodmen Park.

Goodnight leads the Lake County Captains with a 5-5 record and a 3.04 ERA. He has pitched a team high 71 innings, allowing 24 earned runs on 49 hits with 65 strikeouts. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 13th round of the 2010 MLB Draft.

A two-year letterwinner for the Cougars, Goodnight made 16 starts as a sophomore posting a 4.96 ERA with 148 strikeouts. He was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2009.

Houston Dynamo's Brian Ching Scores, Assists at 2010 MLS All Star Game

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 29, 2010) Local soccer fans in attendance at the 2010 MLS All Star Game in Houston got a reason to cheer as they saw a local player get into the game and score a goal.

Houston Dynamo's forward Brian Ching came into the game in the 46th minute as a replacement for Juan Pablo Angel.

The orange clad Dynamo fans in the stands came to their feet when he headed a free kick from David Ferreira past Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

His goal came in the 64th minute, taking the score to 2-1, cutting the Red Devil's lead to one.

He came back with an assist in the 90th minute on Dwayne De Rosario's goal.

The goals by Ching and De Rosario are all the MLS All Stars could put on the scoreboard.
Ching was added to the All Star roster by Commissioner Don Garber as one of his two exclusive picks.

"It was really amazing to do that in front of all those fans. It was an incredible atmosphere, and I will always remember that moment," Ching stated in the post-game press conference.

He also said, "This was a good night for the MLS. It showed how far the MLS has come. Soccer is the top youth sport out there, and if you look at the crowd we had, I think you could see it is finding its footing, and that’s really exciting."

Manchester United Downs MLS All Stars 5-2

(Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez blocks the ball before he scores a goal in the 2010 MLS All Star Game. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 28, 2010) It did not take Manchester United long to get on the scoreboard against the MLS All Stars. In a scant 23 seconds into the game, forward Federico Macheda found the net on a kick from the top of the box to give The Red Devils the lead in the match.

From that point, it was all downhill for the MLS All Stars, as Manchester United showed their dominance on the pitch by defeating the MLS All Stars 5-2 before a sellout crowd of 70,728 in Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

Macheda came right back in the 13th minute on a pass from midfielder Nani to give Manchester a two goal lead.

The first half saw The Red Devils take total control of the game with well executed passes and pin point accuracy on almost every play.

Granted, Manchester United is a team that has played together and is prepping for their upcoming season, and the flow and general dynamics of the game showed the disadvantage of attempting to host an All Star Game against an established club.

Knowing that MLS head coach Bruce Arena went to the locker room at half time and attempted to make adjustments to enable his squad to raise their level play to matc that of The Red Devils.

In the second half, Manchester United continued dto ominate the game, but the MLS began to show a bit of fire when Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching finally put the All Stars on the board with a goal in the 63rd minute.

Manchester came right back in the 70th minute on a solid shot by midfielder Darron Gibson to make the score 3-1.

Three minutes later, midfielder Tom Cleverley found the goal from the left side to give The Red Devils a 4-1 lead.

Manchester’s offensive assault continued in the 84th minute on a solid shot and goal by newcomer Javier Hernandez.

The 22-year old scored two goals for Mexico in the recent World Cup and is the first player for the Mexican professional league ever to be signed by Manchester United.

The MLS All Stars got the final goal of the game in the 90th minute when midfielder Dwayne De Rosario took a pass from Ching to score the second goal for the MLS.

There will be much written in the next few days about the disparity of the two teams, but never the less, a good game was played for the fans.

When all was said and done, the Manchester United players accepted the trophy for their victory as the fans stated in the stands to honor the champions.

Noticeably absent from the awards was Manchester United long time head coach Sir Alex Ferguson. But that was to be expected. After 24 years at the helm of The Red Devils, he knew it was his players’ time to shine. After all, they were the ones who had played the game and they deserved the honor.

So another chapter in the MLS storybook is laid to rest. Next year will bring new challenges and goals for the MLS and its All Star Game. Let hope next year's edition will continue to elevate soccer the United States.

2010 State Farm Home Run Derby-1st Round Results

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA (July 13, 2010) The first round of the State Farm Home Run Derby is complete and the results are listed below, in the order they batted.

1. Chris Young-Arizona Diamondbacks (RH): 1 Home Run: average: 410 feet; longest: 416feet.

2. Vernon Wells-Toronto Blue Jays (RH): 2 home runs; average: 395 feet; longest: 428 feet.

3. Corey Hart-Milwaukee Brewers (RH): 13 home runs; average: 433 feet; longest: 464 feet

4. Nick Swisher-New York Yankees (LH): 4 home runs; average: 412 feet; longest: 440 feet.

5. Matt Holliday-St. Louis Cardinals (LH): 5 home runs; average: 441 feet; longest: 497 feet

6. David Ortiz-Boston Red Sox (LH): 8 home runs; average: 402 feet; longest: 440 feet

7. Hanley Ramirez-Florida Marlins (RH): 9 home runs; average: 434 feet; longest: 472 feet

8. Miguel Cabrera-Detroit Tigers (RH): 7 home runs; average: 450 feet; longest: 476 feet

Cabrera, Ortiz, Hart and Ramirez advance to the second round.

2010 State Farm Home Run Derby

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA (July 12, 2010) Here is the batting order for the State Farm Home Run Derby at the 2010 MLB All Star Game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

1. Chris Young-Arizona Diamondbacks
2. Vernon Wells-Toronto Blue Jays
3. Corey Hart-Milwaukee Brewers
4. Nick Swisher-New York Yankees
5. Matt Holliday-St. Louis Cardinals
6. David Ortiz-Boston Red Sox
7. Haney Ramirez-Florida Marlins
8. Miguel Carbrera-Detroit Tigers

I am picking Nick Swisher to win it all.

Here are the rules for the contest:

Opening Round
• Each player gets 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible.
• The four players with the most home runs hit in the Opening Round advance to the Semi-Final Round.

Semi-Final Round
• Home runs totals from the first round will carry over to the second round.
• Each player gets 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible per at bat.
• The two players with the most home runs in the Semi-Final Round advance to the Championship Round.

Championship Round
• Home runs from the first two rounds do not carry over to the Championship Round; Opening and Semi-Final Round totals are cleared from the board.
• Each player gets 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible.
• The player who hits the most home runs in the Championship Round is declared the Home Run Derby champion.

Rules
• An out is registered when a player swings at a pitch and does not hit a home run.
• A ball hit over the fence must be fair to count as a home run.

I will update the results after the first round.

2009 State Farm Home Run Derby: Second Round Results

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (July 13, 2009) The second round of the State Farm Home Run Derby is complete and the results are listed below, in order that they batted. The results from both rounds, one and two, were combined to get a total with the two top batters advancing.

Each batter got ten outs in the second round.

1. Albert Pujois-St. Louis Cardinals (batting right handed)
1st Round: 5 home runs
2nd Round: 6 home runs
Total: 11 home runs

Pujois came on strong in the second round and seemed to be hitting the ball better.

2. Ryan Howard-Philadelphia Philles (batting right handed)
1st Round: 7 home runs
2nd Round: 8 home runs
Total: 15 home runs

Howard was hitting better this round.

3. Nelson Cruz-Texas Rangers (batting left handed)
1st Round: 11 home runs
2nd Round: 5 home runs
Total: 16 home runs.

Cruz looked a bit tired as the second round progresses. He will need to dig deep down to keep hit hitting hard in the finals.

4. Prince Fielder-Milwaukee Brewers (batting left handed)
1st Round: 11 home runs
2nd Round: 6 home runs
Total: 17 home runs

Fielder only needed one home run with five outs to go to advance to the finals.

The finals will see Fielder facing Cruz in a National League versus American league final.

Dynamo Duo Named to All-Star Squad

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 15, 2008) - Houston Dynamo stars Pat Onstad and Dwayne De Rosario were named as reserves for the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, to be played on July 24 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, it was announced today.

Onstad was selected by all-star coach Steve Nicol, of the New England Revolution, as a goalkeeper alongside starter Matt Reis. The Canadian international has the best career goals against average in MLS history with a 1.07 mark. This season, Onstad has a goals against average of 0.85 in all competitions, including six shutouts in 16games. His MLS goals against average of 1.06 ranks second among starting goalkeepers.

De Rosario was chosen as a commissioner’s pick by MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Also a Canadian international and from the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, De Rosario leads the Dynamo with seven goals in all competitions in 2008 and has four goals and two assists in league play. Normally a midfielder, De Rosario has seen significant time as a forward in 2008. He finished third among midfielders in fan balloting for the Sierra Mist All-Star Game, trailing only David Beckham and Cuauhtémoc Blanco.

Both Onstad, who earned his second All-Star Game selection (2004, 2008), and De Rosario, who earned his third (2006, 2007, 2008), are expected to remain with the Dynamo through their July 22 make-up game at D.C. United before joining the MLS All-Star squad in Toronto.

State Farm Home Run Derby-Finals

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK and HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 15, 2008) Justin Hamilton and Justin Morneau faced off in the finals of the State Farm Home Run Derby. Their home runs totals started over and the one who hits the most home runs in this round wins.

The results of the finals are as follows:

Justin Morneau-Minnesota Twins
Total: 5 home runs (1 gold ball home run)
Average: 432 feet
Longest: 468 feet

Josh Hamilton: Texas Rangers
Total: 3 home runs (0 gold ball home run)
Average: 476 feet
Longest: 491 feet

Justin Morneau wins the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby. As in so many contests, the big guy who shows tremendous effort and dominated the game does not win. Josh Hamilton may not have won the home run derby, but he put on a show that many will not forget. He also won over a great many Yankees fans, and that is not an easy thing to do. He did both of those things in Yankee Stadium. What a fitting tribute to "The House That Ruth Built."

Hamilton's performance could not have been in a better venue. Who knows what will happen in future Home Run Derbies. One thing is certain, Hamilton's performance will be talked about over beers in many a local bar for years to come.

State Farm Home Run Derby-Round 2 Results

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK and HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 14, 2008) The second round saw better hitting, to give the fans their money's worth.

Here is the order and the results:

Lance Berkman-Houston Astros (LH)
2nd round: 6 home runs (1 gold ball home run)
1st round: 8 home runs
Total: 14 home runs
Average (2nd round): 409 feet
Longest (2nd round): 446 feet

Justin Morneau-Minnesota Twins (LH)
2nd round: 9 home runs (0 gold ball home run)
1st round: 8 home runs
Total: 17 home runs
Average (2nd round): 426 feet
Longest (2nd round): 479 feet

Ryan Braun-Milwaukee Brewers (RH)
2nd round: 7 home runs (0 gold ball home runs)
1st round: 7 home runs
Total: 14 home runs
Average (2nd round): 421 feet
Longest (2nd round): 448 feet

Josh Hamilton-Texas Rangers
2nd round: 4 home runs (0 gold ball home run)
1st round: 28 home runs
Total: 32 home runs
Average (2nd round): 409 feet
Longest (2nd round): 471 feet

Hamilton retired from the second round after 4 home runs. he had already advanced to the finals against Justin Morneau. That was a smart thing to do, in order to save his pitcher's arm for the finals.

The totals start over in the finals, so Hamilton and Morneau will start over with no home runs. The player that hits the most home runs finals will win the State Farm Home Run Derby.

In any case, this derby has turned into one of the highlights of MLB All Star Week.

MLB State Farm Home Run Derby-Round 1 Results

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK and HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 14, 2008) The first round of the State Farm Home Run Derby is complete and the results are listed below.

1. Dan Uggla-Florida Marlins (RH): 6 home runs; average: 414 feet; longest: 434 feet
(one gold ball home run)

2. Grady Sizemore-Cleveland Indians (LH): 6 home runs; average: 440 feet; longest: 459 feet (no gold ball home runs)

3. Evan Longoria-Tampa Bay Rays (RH): 3 home runs; average: 419 feet; longest: 446 feet (no gold ball home runs)

4. Chase Utley-Philadelphia Phillies (LH): 5 home runs; average: 402 feet; longest: 434 feet (2 gold ball home runs)

5. Lance Berkman-Houston Astros (LH): 8 home runs; average: 442 feet; longest: 476 feet (three gold ball home runs)

6. Justin Morneau-Minnesota Twins (LH): 8 home runs; average: 428 feet; longest: 453 feet (one gold ball home run)

7. Ryan Braun-Milwaukee Brewers (RH): 7 home runs; average: 415 feet; longest: 439 feet (no gold ball home runs)

8. Josh Hamilton-Texas Rangers (LH): 28 home runs; average: 445 feet; longest: 518 feet (no gold ball home runs)

Hamilton can sit out the second round and still advance to the finals. This guy is a home run hitting machine. Unless Morneau, Berkman, and Braun can hit like Hamilton, only one of them is advancing to the finals against ha,ilton.

This is the BEST home run derby that I have seen in conjunction with the All Star Game.

I may have to travel to Arlington to see Hamilton and his Rangers play.

Well, on to the second round.

2008 State Farm Home Run Derby Preview

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK and HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 14, 2008) Here is the batting order for the State Farm Home Run Derby at the 2008 MLB All Star Game in Yankee Stadium in New York City.

1. Dan Uggla-Florida Marlins
2. Grady Sizemore-Cleveland Indians
3. Chase Utley-Philadelphia Phillies
4. Evan Longoria-Tampa Bay Rays
5. Lance Berkman-Houston Astros
6. Justin Morneau-Minnesota Twins
7. Ryan Braun-Milwaukee Brewers
8. Josh Hamilton-Texas Rangers

I am picking Lance Berkman to win it all. I have to pick him as he IS an Astro and the Astros need to win soemthing this year.

Here are the rules for the contest:

Opening Round
• Each player gets 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible.
• The four players with the most home runs hit in the Opening Round advance to the Semi-Final Round.

Semi-Final Round
• Home runs totals from the first round will carry over to the second round.
• Each player gets 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible per at bat.
• The two players with the most home runs in the Semi-Final Round advance to the Championship Round.

Championship Round
• Home runs from the first two rounds do not carry over to the Championship Round; Opening and Semi-Final Round totals are cleared from the board.
• Each player gets 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible.
• The player who hits the most home runs in the Championship Round is declared the Home Run Derby champion.

Rules
• An out is registered when a player swings at a pitch and does not hit a home run.
• A ball hit over the fence must be fair to count as a home run.

I will update the results after the first round.

Astros Berkman in Home Run Derby

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman will be participating in the 2008 Major League Baseball All Star Game Home Run Derby in Yankee Stadium in New York City.

I will be posting his results when he comes to bat. He is currently warming up.

The National League will feature Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman; Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun; Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla; and Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley.

Competing for the American League will be Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria; Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau; and Cleveland Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore.

Berkman, a five-time N.L. All-Star, will be competing in the Derby for the fourth time in his career. He also took part in 2002, 2004 (finishing as the runner-up at his home ballpark, Minute Maid Park) and 2006. Morneau, a two-time A.L. All-Star, was a part of last year's field at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The remaining six participants will be competing in the Derby for the first time. Longoria will be just the sixth rookie ever to participate in the Derby.

As has become a Derby custom, each batter will get 10 outs per at-bat. After the ninth out, a gold ball will be put into play. Each homer hit with a gold ball will garner a $17,000 donation from State Farm and MLB to the Boys & Girls Club of America, MLB's preferred charity.