Major League Soccer and TOCA Football have partnered to provide a special all-star experience for four youth soccer stars from across the U.S. Each young athlete will compete in the 2024 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T.
This summer's TOCA Skills Showcase was a national competition held at dozens of TOCA Centers throughout May and June, with winners announced in early July. Utilizing TOCA's cutting-edge technology and soccer training programming, winners were selected based on scores based on “baseline sessions” including points scored, best streaks and average playing speed.
After two months of intense competition, winners emerged from two different age groups.
(ages 7-12 and 13-18) will represent the East and West regions in an on-field exhibition at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge featuring the best stars from LIGA MX and MLS.
TOCA is the Official Soccer Training Partner of MLS, providing players of all ages and skill levels with the soccer skills they need to develop their first touch, passing and shooting accuracy, movement, speed of play and more through repetitive and interactive training challenges.
“I will never forget my experience as an MLS player, especially being selected as an All-Star in 1999 while playing for San Jose,” said TOCA founder Eddie Lewis, a former MLS, English Premier League and U.S. Men's National Team player. “When I was trying to become my best as a professional player, I used the same training philosophy and routine that TOCA uses today. To see TOCA players playing on the same field as MLS All-Stars and be celebrated after nearly 25 years is an incredible feeling that words can't describe.”
Under 12 Player Profiles:
east: Cayden Valdez, TOCA Nashville, Alice FC
- year of birth: 2014
- Favorite MLS team/player: Nashville SC / Lionel Messi
- position: Defender
West: Chance Tobin, TOCA Redmond (Seattle), Eastside FC
- year of birth: 2014
- Favorite MLS team/player: Inter Miami / Lionel Messi
- position: Central attacking midfielder
“Being the first young player to be selected to the MLS All-Star team was such an amazing accomplishment for me,” said Chicago Fire and USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta, who became a TOCA stakeholder and ambassador in June. “I played against Arsenal in 2016, and to be selected as one of the best players and to play against the best players in the world was very special. If I was a young player like these winners, this opportunity would be unforgettable. As a player, it's so important to be well prepared and trained, and TOCA provides that. Practicing the way you play means getting more touches and repetitions to hone yourself.”
“I can't wait to cheer on our TOCA stars at the MLS All-Star event,” he added.
Under 18 player profiles:
east: Cameron Ney, TOCA Richmond Bedford Heights (Cleveland), Cleveland Force SC
- year of birth: 2011
- Favorite MLS team/player: Columbus Crew / Jordi Alba
- position: Left wing
West: Ishan Singh, TOCA Redmond (Seattle), PacNW FC
- year of birth: 2009
- Favorite MLS team/player: Seattle Sounders / Jordan Morris
- position: Midfielder
Each winner will receive All-Star treatment and will fly to Columbus to take part in All-Star celebrations that include the 2024 MLS All-Star Concert presented by Target, fan experiences and community-focused events, the MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration and the 2024 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, highlighted by an on-field showdown between the East and West winners at a sold-out Lower Dotcom Field, home of the reigning MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew.
Check out the MLS All-Star Week events here
TOCA installed its technology at the FC Dallas Performance Center earlier this year and is actively involved in soccer camps and youth development activities working with clubs such as Atlanta United, Nashville SC and Colorado Rapids. The TOCA training experience has become deeply ingrained at all levels of MLS, including many rising stars such as CF Montreal's George Campbell and Mason Toye, Atlanta United's Caleb Wiley, FC Dallas' Omar Gonzalez, and St. Louis City SC's Dida Armstrong and Jay Reed.
“The partnership between TOCA and MLS knows no bounds,” said Lewis. “This year has already brought new experiences and growth for both of us, and we can't wait to continue building on this success.”
