D.C. United’s Wayne Rooney to lead MLS All Star team against Arsenal

D.C. United head coach Wayne Rooney will serve as leader of the MLS All Star team as they take on Premier League side Arsenal FC on Wednesday, July 19 at Audi Field. 

Traditionally, the manager of the Major League Soccer side hosting the event doubles as the All Stars manager. The upcoming edition of the competition will provide Rooney with a different perspective, after  participating as a player on two different occasions.

He first featured against the MLS All-Stars in 2011 as a member of Manchester United, before going on to represent the American league in the 2019 edition against Atlético Madrid.

“I’ve had a front-row seat to watch the growth and development of Major League Soccer, first as a player and now as a manager,” said Rooney. “The opportunity to lead the best our league has to offer against a top Premier League club like Arsenal will be a highlight for me personally and an unforgettable experience for our passionate fanbase here in D.C.”

Arsenal is no stranger to the MLS All Star event, after participating in the 2016 edition in San Jose at PayPal Park. The English side triumphed 2-1 over the best of Major League Soccer, as a late goal by Chuba Akpom secured the victory. 

The team returns seven years later with a new set of players, including US men’s national team figure Matt Turner, led by manager Mikel Arteta. 

“It’s great that we’re playing against the MLS All-Stars in Washington D.C. in July,” said Arteta. “Our US tour last summer was very good preparation for the season, and we’re looking forward to once again visiting our amazing supporters in the US. The match against the MLS All-Stars will be a good test ahead of the 2023-24 season.”

Following back-to-back MLS All-Star wins over the LIGA MX All-Star team in 2021 and 2022, the 2023 MLS All-Star Game will be the 17th time MLS welcomes an elite international club for the midsummer showcase.

The MLS All-Stars have previously faced clubs from the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga, the Scottish Premiership, and Mexico’s Liga MX.