MLS All-Star week is a wrap.
Reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar and Nashville SC captain Walker Zimmerman represented Nashville SC in the 2023 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target as the best of Major League Soccer took on Premier League side Arsenal FC.
Before the All-Stars took to the pitch on Wednesday, Mukhtar joined other All-Stars in the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G. Goalkeeper Ben Martino also represented Nashville SC and Huntsville City FC in the goalie wars competition. In addition, Nashville SC Academy product and recent homegrown signing Adem Sipić put on a show in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game. After that, Carl Ramey, Mia Hasan, and Coach Misty Germek represented Nashville SC in the Special Olympics Unified All-Star Game, presented by MLS WORKS & Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.
Here's how our Nashville SC representatives fared during All-Star Week:
MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G
Huntsville City FC goalkeeper Ben Martino was eliminated in the first round of Goalie Wars at the skills challenge, falling 4-3 to Crown Legacy FC goalkeeper Isaac Walker.
MLS fell short in the skills challenge after a dominant performance that saw Arsenal win four of the five events. Hany Mukhtar made his return to the Touch and Crossbar Challenges, scoring 37 points for MLS in the Touch Challenge and narrowly missing the crossbar from range in the Crossbar Challenge.
Also making his return to the All-Star Skills Challenge was Walker Zimmerman's son, Tucker, who stole the show with a live interview in the broadcast booth.
MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate
Homegrown player Adem Sipić played the first 45 minutes and scored a brace for the East in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game Wednesday morning. The match finished 2-2 with the West ultimately taking the win in penalty kicks.
Special Olympics Unified All-Star Game presented by MLS WORKS & Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Nashville SC representatives Carl Ramey and Mia Hasan helped lead the West to a dominant 6-1 victory over the East (Nashville SC played in the West due to roster constraints).
MLS All-Star Game presented by Target
Both Hany Mukhtar and Walker Zimmerman were named to the 2023 MLS All-Star Starting XI, taking the pitch together for kickoff against Premier League side Arsenal FC. Mukhtar demonstrated skillful footwork in the midfield to bolster MLS' offense, but the hosts struggled to find the back of the net. Mukhtar was subbed off in the 34' minute. Walker Zimmerman played with MLS’ defense for the entirety of the first half, holding Arsenal to two goals. Arsenal took the win over MLS in a decisive 5-0 performance.
