George Bello willl get an opportunity to play for the MLS All-Star team. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)
NEW YORK – Major League Soccer Monday announced the additions of Inter Miami CF midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro and Atlanta United defender George Bello to the roster for the 2021 MLS All-Star Game.
The updates are made as MLS and LIGA MX share the final rosters for the history-making match set for Wednesday (9 p.m. ET, FS1 / Univision / TSN / TVA Sports).
These additions were necessary as LA Galaxy’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, LAFC’s Carlos Vela, New England’s Carles Gil and New England’s Tajon Buchanan became unavailable.
The added MLS All-Stars Pizarro and Bello have been in tremendous form in the MLS regular season as Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United have begun to find their form in recent weeks. Pizarro recorded a brace in Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory over Toronto FC Saturday, a second consecutive win for the club, and Atlanta United is unbeaten in their last five matches, including two shutouts.
On the opposing side, additions to LIGA MX’s roster include Santiago “Chaquito” Giménez (Cruz Azul), and Kevin Alvarez (Pachuca CF), who will replace Jesus Gallardo (C.F. Monterrey).
On the eve of the match, the featured eight MLS players competing in the 2021 MLS Skills Challenge will be Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union, Goalkeeper), Nani (Orlando City SC, Forward), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas, Forward), Rodolfo Pizarro (Inter Miami CF, Forward), Diego Rossi (LAFC, Forward), Raúl Ruidíaz (Seattle Sounders FC, Forward), Matt Turner (New England Revolution, Goalkeeper), Lucas Zelarayán (Columbus Crew, Midfielder).
The eight players representing LIGA MX in the skills showcase event will be Rubens Sambueza (Deportivo Toluca F.C, Midfielder), Rogelio Funes Mori (C.F. Monterrey, Forward), Jonathan Rodríguez (Cruz Azul, Forward), Pedro Canelo (Deportivo Toluca F.C., Forward), Diego Valdés (Santos Laguna, Midfielder), Orbelín Pineda (Cruz Azul, Midfielder), Alfredo Talavera (Pumas UNAM, Goalkeeper), and Nahuel Guzmán (Tigres UANL, Goalkeeper).
