Fox analyst sees week as Orlando’s chance to step into spotlight
The countdown is set and only a few days remain until the start of MLS All-Star Week kicks off in Orlando Saturday night.
Fox analyst and former MLS star Maurice Edu said the week will offer Orlando a chance to showcase itself as a soccer city.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for the city of Orlando,” Edu said. “They have a very passionate fan base that take pride in their city and their team. That’s been reflective since they came into the league and even before their entrance to the league.”
Although the ultimate focus is the MLS All-Star Game on July 31, the week-long event will kick off this upcoming Saturday. From e-gaming competitions to a game sponsored by the Special Olympics, Edu described all-star week as an “all-encompassing” event for fans.
One addition to this year’s all-star week is the introduction of the MLS Skills Challenge, which pits local, MLS and Atletico Madrid stars against each other in events that test their ability to pull off trick shots and precision passing. The event is similar to ones held during all-star weeks for other American leagues, such as the NBA Dunk Contest or the MLB Home Run Derby. Edu believes it will bring a new layer of excitement to the week.
“I think the fans are going to really appreciate that,” Edu said. “It’s gonna be fun. I think as a kid, you always watch your favorite players playing on the pitch where it’s 11-v-11 and you always wonder how this guy would fare against this guy in a 1-v-1 setting. This is sort of an answer to that.”
Throughout skills challenges and the MLS All-Star Game itself, Edu said the week will showcase the competitiveness of MLS athletes. Edu recalled his own experience in the 2014 MLS All-Star Game, when the team faced off against Bayern Munich.
Although the all-star game is often viewed as an exhibition game for both teams, Edu said that the second the first whistle blew, both teams approached the game like any league match.
“There was no holding back in that game,” Edu said. “We took it very seriously. Soon as you cross that white line, you want to play, you want to compete, you want to win. I think you’re gonna see that from the players and I think the fans are going to appreciate that.”
For Edu, an important focus of the week will be growing the game through a younger generation of athletes and fans. Part of that process will be highlighted during the MLS Homegrown Game, which features the top homegrown players from
“It’s a historic moment for this city. They’ve had a chance to make some strides forward over the past few years on the field, and now this is an opportunity to showcase themselves off the field.” — Fox analyst and former MLS star Maurice Edu
throughout the league. To Edu, the continued growth of the homegrown and academy programs in MLS is a major key as the league pushes to develop talent.
“When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a professional player, but it felt so far away,” Edu said. “Now the academy system gets your players the chance to get incorporated into the professional environment, and the process becomes a little more realistic for
them. You can dream and you feel like that dream is attainable because the guys that you aspire to be are within arms’ distance.”
This year, the game will give forward Benji Michel the opportunity to represent Orlando City in front of his hometown crowd. Michel will be one of four players from Orlando City featured throughout the week. Midfielder Nani will play in both the game and the skills challenge while Sebas Mendez and Chris Mueller are scheduled to join Nani in the skills challenge.
With its players, stadium and club on display, Edu said all-star week will be focused on one common idea — a celebration of what the game means to the city of Orlando.
“It’s a historic moment for this city,” Edu said. “They’ve had a chance to make some strides forward over the past few years on the field, and now this is an opportunity to showcase themselves off the field.”