Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream earns MLS starting nod

CHARLOTTE FC

Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream has been named an MLS starter for the July 29 MLS All-Star Game against Liga MX at Bank of America Stadium.

Tim Ream’s place on North American club soccer’s biggest stage is set.

The Charlotte FC defender was named a starter for Major League Soccer’s All-Star Game July 29 at Bank of America Stadium. Ream, who is captain if the U.S. national squad for the FIFA World Cup, earned the MLS starting nod through a combined vote of fans, players and media. It’s his second All-Star game, 15 years after he made the showcase with Red Bull New York.

Ream is the second Charlotte FC player to make the all-star game, following Patrick Agyemang in 2025. Agyemang didn’t play due to his transfer to Derby County in England before the game.

The MLS All-Stars will take on all-stars from Liga MX, Mexico’s top league in a match to be broadcast in more than 100 countries. The remainder of the 26-player MLS roster will be made up of 13 players chosen by Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith and two selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber. 

Ream is among five MLS starters called up to World Cup teams, joining Sebastian Berhalter (United States), Son Heung-Min (South Korea), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa) and Lionel Messi (Argentina). He is also among five starters to have previously been selected, along with Sebastian Berhalter (2025), Messi (2024-25), Hany Mukhtar (2022-25) and Andy Najar (2025).

Chicago Fire center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who topped fan voting, is the second South African player picked as an All-Star in league history, 30 years after Doctor Khumalo’s debut in the summer classic. LAFC’s Son Heung-Min is the second South Korean named an All-Star, joining his national team head coach and former LA Galaxy defender Hong Myung-Bo, who earned a spot in 2003.

2026 MLS All-Star starters:

Goalkeeper: Brian Schwake (Nashville SC) 

Left back: Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United FC) 

Center backs: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire FC) and Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) 

Right back: Andy Najar (Nashville SC) 

Defensive midfielder: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) 

Attacking midfielders: Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake) and Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) 

Forwards: Hugo Cuypers (Chicago Fire FC), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), and Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) 

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