Premier League giants Arsenal will take on the cream of MLS in the form of the All-Star exhibition match, with the event also set to see the Gunners take part in a series of unique challenges.
The clash will see both teams face off at Audi Field in the US capital, with former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney set to take charge of an ensemble cast of the MLS' best performers. Aside from the game itself, both teams will also take part in the All-Star Skills Challenge, which will see ten players from each team feature.
Essentially, those involved will be tasked with completing five activities, all of which will allow the team to add points to the overall scoreboard to win the event. Intriguingly, anyone can be named to take part in the challenge on behalf of each respective team, with those participating not necessarily having to be part of either roster.
The first challenge of the spectacle - the Shooting Challenge - will see three players from both teams set the task of hitting 11 targets that are scattered in the goal over three thirty-second rounds in a bid to get points on the board. With twenty seconds left, the participants are then invited to try and hit a moving 20-point target.
Following on from this, the hopefuls will be asked to pick out six players who will then take part in a Touch Challenge, which will see them tested on their ability to control and volley crosses into a skeeball-style apparatus featuring points values from two up to 20. The will face 15 attempts in all, with conversions from orange balls from a launcher worth double the points.
Then comes the exciting Cross and Volley Challenge which is a simple exercise which involves the participants asked to connect with crosses - with the most spectacular goals rewarded with points. Each team will use four players for this endeavour, with two 60-second rounds on the clock with the technique of each person put to the test, with a fan vote even set to award some 25 points for the best moment of the challenge.
After this mission then comes the Passing Challenge which will see players directly pit their wits against their rivals from the other team, with one player from both sides taking part each time. The aim of this one will be to race against their opposition player to knock out four targets in total, with reaching the final target the goal - hitting this wins you the challenge.
Then, finally, the Crossbar Challenge, which is a unique twist on the classic game and will see seven players from each team attempt to hit the upright with a shot from the 18-yard line. If one team reaches five points overall, they then move onto Zone Two - which means they will have to hit the goalframe from a further distance - before taking on the Victory Shot.
Gary Stevenson, who is the deputy commissioner and president of MLS has described his excitement at hosting the Gunners for the unique spectacle in Washington D.C. and stated: “Major League Soccer is pleased to welcome Arsenal FC as the opponent for the 2023 MLS All-Star Game and All-Star Skills Challenge.
"Arsenal FC is one of the most storied and popular clubs in the world and they are giving their fans a memorable season as they sit at the top of the Premier League table. Fans at Audi Field and watching on MLS Season Pass, will be treated to back-to-back fun and thrilling nights featuring skill, style, and intense competition as top global stars meet in our nation’s capital."
