The 2026 MLS All-Star Game will feature plenty of familiar faces for U.S. soccer fans, as four members of the U.S. Men’s National Team that competed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have earned All-Star honors following standout MLS campaigns.
Defender Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), defender Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), midfielder Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) and goalkeeper Matt Freese (New York City FC) will represent Major League Soccer when the league’s best face Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday, July 29 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Freese, Ream and Berhalter will also showcase their talents in the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T on Tuesday, July 28.
Four USMNT Stars Rewarded After World Cup Performances
The quartet played important roles for Mauricio Pochettino’s United States squad during this summer’s World Cup and have carried that momentum back into MLS.
Max Arfsten Continues Rapid Rise
Columbus Crew wingback Max Arfsten has earned his second consecutive MLS All-Star selection after another impressive campaign under Wilfried Nancy.
The 24-year-old has started all 15 league matches this season, contributing four goals and four assists while helping Columbus remain among the Eastern Conference contenders. His decisive strike against New York City FC also sent the Crew into the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals for the first time in 16 years.
Arfsten’s journey remains one of American soccer’s best stories. After developing through MLS NEXT Pro following his college career at UC Davis, he has become a regular for both club and country. Since making his USMNT debut in 2025, he has collected 21 international appearances while becoming one of the nation’s emerging stars.
Veteran Leadership and Emerging Talent
Tim Ream Adds Another All-Star Honor
Charlotte FC captain Tim Ream returns to the MLS All-Star Game for the first time since his selection with the New York Red Bulls in 2011.
Now 38, Ream has brought invaluable leadership to Charlotte after spending nearly a decade with Fulham in England. He has started every MLS match for Charlotte this season while continuing to serve as one of the league’s most dependable defenders.
Internationally, Ream has built an outstanding career with 86 appearances for the United States, serving as captain under Mauricio Pochettino and adding another World Cup campaign to his decorated résumé.
Sebastian Berhalter Enjoys Career-Best Season
Few midfielders in MLS have been more influential than Vancouver Whitecaps playmaker Sebastian Berhalter.
After earning MLS Best XI honors in 2025, Berhalter has elevated his game even further in 2026 with six goals and seven assists through just 14 league appearances.
The son of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter has quickly established himself on the international stage since debuting in June 2025. His breakout World Cup included a historic performance against Türkiye, where he became the first active MLS player—and the first American since 1966—to record both a goal and an assist in a World Cup match.
Matt Freese Earns First MLS All-Star Selection
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese rounds out the USMNT quartet after establishing himself among MLS’ elite shot-stoppers.
Since joining NYCFC in 2023, Freese has amassed 323 saves and 25 clean sheets across 110 appearances while playing a pivotal role in the club’s recent playoff runs.
His rise has continued on the international stage, where he has earned 19 caps since making his U.S. debut in 2025. During the World Cup, Freese recorded clean sheets against Australia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, further cementing his reputation as one of the country’s top goalkeepers.
What This Means
The selection of four recent USMNT World Cup players highlights the growing quality within Major League Soccer and underscores the league’s ability to develop and showcase top American talent.
With Charlotte hosting this year’s All-Star festivities, fans will have the opportunity to see several of the nation’s brightest stars compete against Liga MX’s best before MLS enters the crucial stretch of the regular season.
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Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.