Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 6y

Andre-Pierre Gignac, Mateus Uribe would headline a hypothetical Liga MX All-Star team

The prospect of a MLS versus Liga MX All-Star showdown will go from a debate to a reality at some point in the future, with both leagues having committed to a game between the two further down the line.

On Wednesday, it is Juventus' turn to face an MLS All-Star side led by Gerardo "Tata" Martino, but as the rivalry grows between North America's two biggest leagues -- as seen in last season's CONCACAF Champions League -- the debate over which league would have the strongest All-Star side provides an interesting subject of discussion.

MLS has obviously laid its cards on the table and presents a strong and rejuvenated squad in Atlanta on Wednesday. But what about Liga MX?

Mexico's first division doesn't have the star names of MLS -- David Villa, Carlos Vela, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, etc. -- but the general perception is that Liga MX has greater overall depth.

So how would a Liga MX All-Star XI stack up against the MLS All-Stars?

Please keep in mind that this is a subjective take and naturally others would pick a very different XI. A 4-4-2 formation has been used.

Goalkeeper: Tiago Volpi (Queretaro)

Queretaro would have been significantly worse off over recent seasons if it weren't for Brazilian goalkeeper Volpi. Perhaps no individual player in Liga MX is more valuable to his team than the 27-year-old is to Los phoGallos Blancos.

Other options: Agustin Marchesin (Club America), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Marcelo Barovero (Monterrey).

Right-back: Luis "Chaka" Rodriguez (Tigres)

The Tigres right-back has shown flashes of promise throughout his career, but he's found consistency over the last 12 months and has made the right-back position his own at a club at which it isn't easy to earn a starting spot.

Other options: Stefan Medina (Monterrey), Paul Aguilar (Club America)

Center-back (right): Hugo Ayala (Tigres)

Ayala was good when called on by Mexico at the World Cup and was named defender of the season for the 2018 Clausura. The 31-year-old may not be everyone's favorite, but few defenders have shown such quality week after week.

The loss of Nestor Araujo and Carlos Izquierdoz -- both of whom moved abroad from Santos Laguna -- opened up the position for Ayala.

Other options: Pablo Aguilar (Cruz Azul), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca)

Center-back (left): Santiago Garcia (Toluca)

Shocking own goal in the Copa MX final aside, the Argentine Garcia is the best left-sided center-back in Liga MX, just ahead of Monterrey's Jose Maria Basanta.

Garcia is imposing in the air, in his prime at 30 and has experience in both Serie A and the Bundesliga.

Other options: Bruno Valdez (Club America), Basanta (Monterrey)

Left-back: Leonel Vangioni (Monterrey)

Vangioni is as dependable a left-back as there is in Liga MX, as you'd expect from a player forged in Newell's Old Boys and with experience at River Plate and AC Milan.

The Argentine's teammate Jesus Gallardo is and will likely remain a winger at Monterrey, but showed his potential as a full-back at the World Cup and could've also slotted in here.

Other options: Brayan Angulo (Puebla), Adrian Aldrete (Cruz Azul), Cristian Borja (Toluca)

Central midfield: Guido Pizarro (Tigres)

Take you pick between Pizarro and Club America's Guido Rodriguez. Both would do a job in central midfield for the All-Star team, although fielding the two together would be a little defensive. Pizarro gets the nod because of his extra experience.

Other options: Rodriguez (Club America), Jose Juan "Gallito" Vazquez (Santos Laguna)

Central midfield (left): Mateus Uribe (Club America)

Uribe missed a vital penalty for Colombia against England in the World Cup, but remains one of Liga MX's hottest properties and brings attacking flair to the central midfield position.

Other options: Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca), Ivan Marcone (Cruz Azul), Diego Valdes (Morelia)

Right wing: Elias Hernandez (Cruz Azul)

Given the strikers (below), this team will need service into the penalty area from at least one of wings and there is no better crosser of the ball in Mexico than Hernandez, who has settled quickly at his new club Cruz Azul.

Other options: Jurgen Damm (Tigres), Renato Ibarra (Club America), Rodolfo Pizarro (Monterrey)

Left wing: Rubens Sambueza (Toluca)

How can you not go with the marauding playmaker Sambueza? No one has created more chances in regular season play in 2018 than Sambueza (51) and he's also the second-most fouled player this year (also 54).

The Left-footed Sambueza usually plays on the right, but can still drift inside from his left-wing position in this scenario.

Other options: Aviles Hurtado (Monterrey), Javier Aquino (Tigres), Gallardo (Monterrey)

Forward (right): Rogelio Funes Mori

Such a consistent goal-scorer and all-round striker. Funes Mori is good in the air, has a goal ratio of better than a goal every two games and brings others into play when he has his back to goal.

Other options: Hurtado (Monterrey), Mauro Boselli (Leon), Enner Valencia (Tigres)

Forward (left): Andre-Pierre Gignac

The Frenchman, who is still the face of Liga MX, has to be involved. Gignac has already established himself as a club legend at Tigres and has started the Apertura season off with two goals in two games.

Other options: Julio Furch (Santos Laguna), Eduardo Vargas (Tigres)

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