Nashville SC Academy forward Liam Stribling has been named a 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star, the club and MLS NEXT announced June 24. The MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate pits East against West at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, North Carolina, home of Crown Legacy FC, on Monday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game streams live on the MLS YouTube channel and MLSsoccer.com.
Stribling’s Season With Nashville SC Academy
Stribling is one of 44 players chosen for the 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star Game from the United States and Canada. He appeared in 27 matches for the Nashville SC Academy U16 and U18 teams this season, recording seven goals across 1,918 minutes played. The winger made his professional debut on March 6 with Huntsville City FC, Nashville SC’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, becoming the youngest player in club history to appear in a match.
International Play With the U-16 National Team
Stribling also earned three caps for the United States U-16 Boys’ National Team this year, scoring one goal during that international stretch.
Nashville SC’s Recent MLS NEXT All-Star History
Stribling follows two other Nashville SC academy products onto the All-Star roster. Nashville SC Academy U18 defender Liam Devan represented the Boys in Gold at the 2025 MLS NEXT All-Star Game, and current Nashville SC defender Chris Applewhite did the same in 2024.
How Players Qualify for the MLS NEXT All-Star Game
This year’s 44 All-Stars were selected after the conclusion of the 2025-26 regular season and the 2026 MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate. Eligible players must have been born between 2009 and 2011 and competed in either the MLS NEXT regular season or at least one premier event, including MLS NEXT Fest, MLS NEXT Flex presented by Allstate, the Generation adidas Cup, or the MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate.
About MLS NEXT
Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is a leading platform for youth player development in North America, offering training and coaching to prepare players for their futures in soccer and beyond. More information is available at mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
Source: Nashville SC Communications
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