MLS All-Star week kicks off with Saturday soccer celebration

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s officially the start of the MLS All-Star week here in Columbus. It began with the MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration, a free event for fans of all ages. 

Soccer fans made their way to McFerson Commons Park to kick off MLS All-Star week. There were a lot of excited fans out Saturday afternoon. 

“I love events like this just being able to go out and be amongst other fans and of course I also love the little games and all the merchandise,” said Sage Jordan, a soccer fan.

Day one of MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration began with a ribbon cutting ceremony. From there, fans got to enjoy everything from music to giveaways to soccer-based games and more. There was something here for everyone, so NBC4 asked fans what their favorite part was. 

"I’d say all the interactive activities, you can kick a soccer ball, do some fun challenges,” said Sebastian Lindamood, a soccer fan.

“The one with the goalie,” Colson Sevin said. 

Sunday is the concert at Nationwide Arena and Monday is all about giving back to the community. Tuesday is the skills challenge at Lower.com Field, where players will face off in shooting challenges, goalie wars and more.

“I know the community is very proud to be hosting,” Linda Logan, the CEO and President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, said.

This isn’t the first time Columbus has hosted the All-Star game, but it is the first time it’ll be played at Lower.com Field. 

“Columbus is a great market to host this game. You can tell that everybody is really excited to be here. But what's really fun about it is the rivalry that's on the field,” Jen Maurillo, Chief Events Officer for MLS, said.

Linda Logan, with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, said we have something to be proud of.

“We’ve hosted two of Major League Soccer's biggest events in a seven month period," Logan said. "And we are hoping to get a third when the crew repeats this December. Wouldn't that be amazing? So I'm very proud of the fact that our community gets to see the best and the brightest in the sport."

She said Columbus residents get to see some of the best athletes in the world right in their own backyard. As for the impact the MLS All-Star game will have here, Logan is estimating that this week will bring in roughly $20 million dollars of direct spending to the community, which is huge for local businesses.

“So the fact that we get to host these events means a lot, not only for those that have invested in our future, but also for our residents, because they get to see some of the best athletes in the world right in their own backyard," Logan said. "So I know we're very proud of that, and I think the best is yet to come."

The All-Star Soccer Celebration picks back up again Sunday at 3 p.m., and the big game is Wednesday night at 8 p.m.