FC Cincinnati midfielder Stiven Jimenez and FC Cincinnati Academy forward Ryder Mills have been selected to participate in the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate, the league announced today. The second edition of the MLS NEXT All-Star game will take place on Wednesday, July 19 at 10:30 a.m. ET at the Naval Academy’s Glenn Warner Soccer Facility in Annapolis, Md.
Jimenez and Mills are two of 44 players selected to participate in the East vs. West style match which will feature the best young talent from across the country. Players were selected by MLS NEXT personnel following the conclusion of this year’s MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase and must have competed in at least one MLS NEXT premier event this season.
Jimenez, 16, made his FC Cincinnati debut against Louisville City FC on April 26 in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and became the fifth-youngest player in MLS history to play in a regular season match on June 21 against Toronto FC. Jimenez has also featured for FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS NEXT Pro this season, making 10 appearances.
Mills, 18, has made 11 appearances for FC Cincinnati 2 in his first season playing in MLS NEXT Pro. Mills scored his first of two MLS NEXT Pro goals against Crown Legacy FC on March 31 and registered a career-high five shots. Mills has started in five of the last six for FC Cincinnati 2.
Jimenez and Mills become the second and third FC Cincinnati players to be selected to the MLS NEXT All-Start game following David Garcia’s selection in 2022.
The MLS NEXT All-Star match will be streamed live from MLS NEXT’s TikTok account. Complete MLS NEXT All-Star rosters and additional match information can be found by visiting mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
