One Club, Four Representatives: New England Revolution’s Memorable MLS All-Star Week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The New England Revolution were well represented throughout the 2026 MLS All-Star festivities, with four members of the organization earning the opportunity to showcase the club on one of Major League Soccer’s biggest stages.

MLS All-Star Week officially kicked off on Monday, July 27, as the MLS All-Stars held their first full-team training session at Atrium Health Performance Park, the training home of Charlotte FC.

The opening session was light in intensity, with players focusing on stretching, passing rondos, and lofted passing drills as they began building chemistry ahead of Wednesday night’s MLS All-Star Game.

Following training, New England Revolution captain and midfielder Carles Gil met with the media to discuss his All-Star experience, the growth of Major League Soccer, and the week ahead.

Following Monday’s training session, Revolution captain Carles Gil reflected on what it meant to represent New England at his fifth MLS All-Star Game, the continued growth of Major League Soccer since his arrival in 2019, and the opportunity to share the field with some of the game’s biggest stars.

Now a five-time MLS All-Star, Gil said the honor is even more meaningful given the Revolution’s success during the 2026 campaign.

“Good, obviously very happy. For me, it means more when this year the group is also doing very good this year. We are in third place right now. Overall, happy to be here and trying to enjoy the day.”

Having joined New England in 2019, Gil has witnessed the league’s rapid evolution firsthand. He believes the overall quality of MLS continues to rise, fueled by an influx of talented players from around the world and steady improvements across every level of the league.

“Many things have changed since I arrived in 2019. You can see the players coming into the league—not just big names, but very competitive players. Some are young and want to improve here, while others already have experience and want to continue competing at a high level.”

“You can see the improvement in the players, the teams and the coaches. There are still many things to improve, for sure, but you can feel that the league gets better every year.”

Gil also spoke about the unique opportunity to train alongside many of the league’s top players, as well as global stars Thomas Müller and Heung-min Son, who were among this year’s MLS All-Stars.

“The players are here because they have a lot of talent. It’s a pleasure to train with them. Obviously, this year we have players like Thomas Müller and Heung-min Son, so training and playing with them is very exciting.”

Following Gil’s media availability, New England Revolution Academy midfielder Logan Azar met with reporters to discuss his selection as an MLS NEXT All-Star and his preparations for the MLS NEXT All-Star Game later that evening.

Ahead of the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, Azar reflected on what earning All-Star honors meant to him, the opportunity to develop alongside New England Revolution captain Carles Gil, and his excitement to represent the Eastern Conference on one of the league’s biggest youth stages.

Being selected as an MLS NEXT All-Star was a moment the young midfielder described as both rewarding and memorable.

“It’s amazing to be an All-Star. This is a really cool experience for me.”

As a member of the Revolution Academy, Azar has also benefited from training in the club’s first-team environment, where he has had the opportunity to observe one of Major League Soccer’s elite playmakers in Gil. The experience, he said, has played an important role in his development.

“It’s very cool to see how Carles Gil plays. He’s one of the best technical players I’ve ever seen play. It’s great to be in that environment every day.”

Despite the magnitude of the occasion, Azar entered the match focused on embracing the experience and making a positive impact for his teammates.

“I’m excited for all of it. The whole environment should be a lot of fun, and I hope I can contribute in a positive way.”

As the opening training session concluded, attention quickly shifted to Monday night’s MLS NEXT All-Star Game, where the New England Revolution were once again well represented.

Revolution Academy midfielder Logan Azar earned the start for the Eastern Conference in the 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star Game, taking on the Western Conference’s top MLS NEXT talent.

The showcase provided Azar with the opportunity to test himself against many of North America’s best young players while representing both the Revolution Academy and the Eastern Conference on one of the league’s biggest youth stages. The midfielder seized the moment, delivering one of the standout performances of the evening as he played a key role in the East’s dominant victory.

Azar started the match in central midfield and played the entire first half, producing one of the standout performances of the evening.

The Eastern Conference carried a commanding 5-0 lead into halftime, with Azar playing a key role in the second goal. After winning possession near the top of his own penalty area with a strong defensive challenge, the Revolution Academy midfielder quickly transitioned the play forward and delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Columbus Crew Academy forward Jamil Danjaji. Danjaji took the pass in stride and calmly converted the one-on-one opportunity.

The Eastern Conference eventually secured a dominant 6-1 victory over the Western Conference, capping a memorable night for Azar on one of the premier stages in North American youth soccer.

Following the match, I spoke with Azar about his performance, the assist, and what it meant to represent the Eastern Conference in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game.

Reflecting on his performance, Azar was pleased with both his individual display and the Eastern Conference’s dominant team effort.

“I think I played really good. I think we dominated the first half, and we were able to connect passes to give us the chances on goal, and we completed those.”

Azar also looked back on his assist, which came after he won possession with a strong tackle before threading a perfectly weighted through ball to Jamil Danjaji, who calmly converted the chance.

“It was definitely a fun experience to play on the pitch. The assist, I was able to win the ball with a tackle and was able to play the through ball to Jamil, and it connected and he finished. It was a really cool experience to have all the fans out here. My parents were in the stands, so it was cool to show off for them.”

Following the match, I also spoke with MLS lead analyst and Revolution legend Taylor Twellman, who came away highly impressed with Azar’s performance.

“Very impressed with Logan. His attitude, the way he interpreted the game, the way he carried himself, the way he led the teammates around him. I was very impressed. Chris Tierney had spoken very highly of him, so I had been made aware of him coming in, but until you get to see him firsthand, have the eye test, meet him, shake his hand—the Revs got themselves a good one.”

Praise from one of Major League Soccer’s most respected analysts—and one of the greatest players in New England Revolution history—served as further validation of Azar’s breakout performance. The Revolution Academy midfielder displayed composure on the ball, defensive awareness, vision, and leadership throughout the match, helping guide the Eastern Conference to a convincing 6-1 victory.

With the MLS NEXT All-Star Game complete, attention quickly shifted back to the senior MLS All-Stars as preparations resumed Tuesday morning ahead of Wednesday night’s showcase against the Liga MX All-Stars.

Tuesday’s MLS All-Star training session featured a noticeable increase in intensity as the group continued its preparations for Wednesday night’s match.

The session began with a stretching and activation routine before transitioning into a possession drill. Players then took part in a three-man shooting exercise designed to sharpen their finishing before wrapping up training with a high-tempo scrimmage that limited players to two touches, with every goal required to be finished first-time.

Following training, New England Revolution captain Carles Gil met with the media to discuss his selection for the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, what the event means for the league, and his personal and team ambitions for the remainder of the 2026 season.

I asked Gil when he learned he would be participating in the Skills Challenge and whether he was looking forward to competing in the various events.

“They told me maybe four or five days ago,” Gil said. “You never know what’s going to happen because it’s a moment that normally you control, but maybe you can miss and you get nervous. But it’s fun, it’s a moment you enjoy, and I will try to give my best.”

I also asked Gil whether he believes the MLS Skills Challenge helps grow the sport by allowing fans to see a different side of the players or if it is simply a fun event for everyone involved.

“Oh yes, I think for sure it’s different,” Gil said. “Normally you don’t see this type of thing from us, from other players, and it’s good. Like I say, we obviously play football, but we don’t do this type of thing normally. Sometimes it’s strange, but it’s fun for everyone—for the fans and also for the players.”

Looking ahead to the remainder of the campaign, I asked Gil what would constitute a successful 2026 season for both himself and the Revolution.

“I think, for sure, making the playoffs,” Gil said. “I think we deserve it—not just us, but the fans, the club, everyone deserves to have these types of games in Gillette.

“Honestly, we want to win everything. It’s difficult. I don’t think we’re contenders right now, but we can do it because I feel we can improve even more.

“Individually, I just want to be the best Carles for the team, depending on what the team needs from me in each moment.”

As preparations on the training pitch wrapped up, the spotlight shifted to the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, with Gil among the select group of players slated to compete in the annual showcase of technical excellence.

During the event, Gil took part in the MLS All-Star Passing Challenge and the MLS All-Star Relay Challenge, serving as one of Major League Soccer’s representatives in two of the featured Skills Challenge events.

Gil took part in the second heat of the Passing Challenge, where the New England Revolution captain squared off against Cruz Azul midfielder Carlos “Charly” Rodríguez. Gil delivered one of the strongest performances of the competition, successfully completing all five passing targets in just 21 seconds—a new MLS All-Star Passing Challenge record for the fastest time to clear the five-target course. Rodríguez finished with two successful targets, while Gil’s record-setting time earned him a direct berth into the championship round as the top overall qualifier.

In the championship round, Gil faced Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream for the Passing Challenge title. Despite another impressive performance, Gil fell 5-3 as Ream capped off a dominant evening to claim the 2026 MLS All-Star Passing Challenge crown.

Later in the evening, Gil returned to competition in the MLS All-Star Relay Challenge, the final event of the night. The Revolution captain teamed up with Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Thomas Müller to complete the crossing portion of the relay for Team MLS. Despite a strong effort, MLS was unable to finish the course within the allotted time, allowing Liga MX to claim the event.

Despite the setback in the relay, MLS secured the overall 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge title, defeating the Liga MX All-Stars 3-2 by winning the Shooting Challenge, Passing Challenge, and Goalie Wars Challenge.

Following the conclusion of the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, attention quickly shifted to the final day of All-Star Week.

Early Wednesday morning, New England Revolution Unified forward Alyson Green and Unified outfield player Billy Scanlon proudly represented the Eastern Conference in the 11th annual Special Olympics Unified Sports® MLS All-Star Game.

The annual showcase brought together athletes from Unified programs across Major League Soccer, highlighting the league’s continued commitment to inclusion while providing Special Olympics athletes with the opportunity to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Green, who was selected as one of the Eastern Conference captains, and Scanlon both played key roles in guiding the East to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Western Conference.

Their appearances marked a significant milestone not only for both players, but also for the New England Revolution’s Unified program.

Competing during MLS All-Star Week, the pair showcased their talent and represented New England on a national stage, further emphasizing the club’s commitment to growing the game and creating meaningful opportunities for athletes of all abilities.

The victory added another memorable chapter to the Revolution’s strong representation throughout the week.

With the Unified All-Star Game complete, attention then shifted to Bank of America Stadium, where New England Revolution captain Carles Gil and the MLS All-Stars faced the Liga MX All-Stars in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.

Gil earned the start for the MLS All-Stars and wasted little time making his presence felt. The Spanish playmaker orchestrated the attack with the vision, creativity, and composure that have made him one of the league’s premier midfielders, recording two assists in just 33 minutes of action.

His pinpoint passing helped the MLS All-Stars establish an early advantage before his evening came to an end with a first-half substitution.

The performance capped an exceptional week in Charlotte for the Revolution captain. Earlier in the week, Gil advanced to the final of the MLS All-Star Passing Challenge after a record-setting opening-round performance, further showcasing the technical quality that has defined his career. He carried that same form into the All-Star Game, where he played a pivotal role in the league’s attacking success.

Liga MX mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, cutting into the MLS lead and creating several dangerous chances in the closing minutes. However, the MLS All-Stars weathered the late pressure to preserve their advantage. After 90+3 minutes of action, the final whistle confirmed a thrilling 4-3 victory for Major League Soccer.

Gil’s outstanding performance was ultimately recognized with one of the evening’s highest honors, as he was named a finalist for the 2026 MLS All-Star MVP award.

Speaking with the media following the match, Gil reflected on the victory and the opportunity to share the field with some of Major League Soccer’s biggest stars.

“Yes, obviously, I’m happy with the game. We wanted to win. Obviously, it’s a friendly game, but it’s always important to win. I had a good connection with Son. It’s very easy to connect with that type of player. Even though we’d never trained together before, he’s a very good player.”

Following the match, I asked the Revolution captain whether reaching the final of the MLS All-Star Passing Challenge and being named an MLS All-Star MVP finalist served as validation of the continued evolution of his game.

“No, I don’t think so. At the end of the day, what’s most important is what I do with my club, New England. I’m very happy because we’re finally where we want to be, fighting for first place in the Eastern Conference. For me, that’s the most important thing.”

“Obviously, I always want to be the best Carles I can be. Even in 33 minutes of play, I’m still trying to improve. Marko Mitrović and his staff have helped me a lot in many areas, but what I want most is for my team to win and for me to be the best version of myself for them.”

Gil also highlighted the increasing quality across Major League Soccer, saying the league continues to raise its standard with each passing season.

“I think you can see the talent we have. You look at the starting XI, you look at the bench, and you see very talented players. That’s a good thing. Every year, as I’ve said, new players arrive, new talented players, new stars. Every year, the league gets better and better, and hopefully we can continue like this.”

I also asked Gil about former Revolution forward Taylor Twellman’s recent claim that he belongs among the top 10 players in MLS history.

“No… I think he loves me a lot,” Gil said with a laugh. “Obviously, to hear something like that coming from him is a pleasure. He’s a legend, not just for New England, but for the league. A former MVP… I don’t know how many goals he scored in the league, but the numbers speak for themselves.”

Looking ahead, Gil confirmed he expects to be available when the Revolution return to MLS action on Saturday, hosting CF Montréal at Gillette Stadium.

“I’m obviously ready. I’ll train with the group on Friday and be ready to play on Saturday. It’s a very important game for us. We know we’re very strong at home, and we’ve also had some very good performances away from home. But we have a lot of away games coming up over the next two months, so it’s important to win these types of matches. It’s a difficult opponent and it’s never easy to win, but we need these three points.”

With Wednesday night’s final whistle, the 2026 MLS All-Star Game officially brought an end to a memorable week of festivities in Charlotte. For the New England Revolution, the club was well represented throughout the celebration, with Carles Gil earning MLS All-Star MVP honors after a two-assist performance, Logan Azar showcasing the Academy in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, and Alyson Green and Billy Scanlon representing the club in the Special Olympics Unified Sports® MLS All-Star Game. Together, the quartet highlighted the Revolution’s strength across the first team, academy, and Unified program during one of Major League Soccer’s biggest annual showcases.

Marko Mitrović and the New England Revolution (9-2-5, 29 pts.) are on the road to face Eastern Conference side CF Montréal (4-3-8, 15 pts.). The match is set to kickoff at Stade Saputo on Saturday, August 1st at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

(Editor’s Note: For more of Adrian Heinsohn’s photos, click on the link)

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