Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna is set to shine at the highly anticipated 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, presenting top-level talent from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Mexico’s LIGA MX. The event, sponsored by AT&T, will take place at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, on July 22 at 7 p.m. MT, and will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV in both English and Spanish.
Luna, recently crowned Gold Cup star with the U.S. Men’s National Team, will compete alongside top names like Denis Bouanga (LAFC) and Evander (FC Cincinnati). After a successful stint with the national team, where he contributed significantly to their performance, Luna is poised to showcase his skills once again. He returns to MLS as the leading scorer for Real Salt Lake this season with eight goals, matching his previous year’s All-Star output.
Additionally, Luna will play in the following day’s MLS All-Star Game, joining global icons like Lionel Messi and other U.S. Men’s National Team members. This year marks Luna’s second straight All-Star selection, a rare achievement for Real Salt Lake, last seen with Hall of Famer Nick Rimando in 2014/15.
The Skills Challenge will feature engaging head-to-head contests that test various soccer skills including ball control, accuracy, and strategy. Making special appearances are legends such as Clint Dempsey and Oribe Peralta, along with U.S. Women’s National Team star Lindsey Heaps and LIGA MX Femenil standout Nicki Hernández. This event emphasizes teamwork and competition, with donations benefiting both the 4ATX Foundation and MAS Cultura.
Historically, LIGA MX leads the Skills Challenge series 2-1, creating a thrilling rivalry since its inception in 2021. This year, a fan-favorite aspect returns: Goalie Wars, where MLS NEXT Pro goalkeepers will engage in an exciting competition to test their shot-stopping and scoring abilities.
Tickets for the event are available for purchase, enticing soccer fans with a showcase of the sport’s best while supporting charitable causes. With top talent on display and exciting competitions planned, this All-Star Skills Challenge promises to be a highlight on the soccer calendar.