Report: Real Madrid near deal to be MLS All-Star Game opponent

Major League Soccer is set to pull off a major coup by attracting Real Madrid to 2017’s All-Star Game in Chicago, sources told ESPN FC’s Doug McIntyre.

Confirmation of the illustrious opponent is expected soon, with Los Blancos poised to become the first Spanish club to feature in the marquee exhibition.

The latest MLS All-Star Game is slated for Aug. 2, 2017 at the Chicago Bears’ Soldier Field. In previous years, it’s attracted the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich. This year’s installment reportedly could have involved Barcelona, but Real’s Clasico rival reached an impasse in negotiations with the North American league.

Real Madrid was due to play in the 2004 showpiece, but backed out. MLS temporarily returned to the East vs. West format it used from 1996.

On this occasion, Zinedine Zidane’s lot will feature stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. Real Madrid is currently in pole position for the title in La Liga while it tries to defend its Champions League crown.

The All-Star team won a match as recently as 2015, when goals from Kaka and David Villa downed Tottenham Hotspur by a 2-1 scoreline in Colorado.