GettyTST 2024 has arrived, and the Group Stage is coming. Matches kickoff on Wednesday in the men's field, and superstars from all over the world have arrived in Cary, N.C. for the 7v7 tournament.
From ESPN media personality Pat McAfee taking on ex-NFL star J.J. Watt to Sergio Aguero's iconic return to the pitch, there are some major narratives set to unfold in the second year of the tournament.
GOAL takes a look at five of the top Group Stage storylines in the men's field...
GoalIt's a match between German giants as the Bundesliga invades TST in 2024. Highlighting Borussia Dortmund's squad this year is Roman Weidenfeller and Brazilian Felipe Santana - both of whom are experienced veterans and former Black and Yellow stars.
Bayern, meanwhile, are fielding their World Team featuring youth academy players as a part of a preseason tour.
The famed rivalry between the two sides will come to TST this year as the Bundesliga clubs look to see who will come out on top.
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GettyIn a battle between two notable NFL players, a 6-5 former defensive end (Watt) will take on a 6-1 former punter (McAfee) in what could be a clash for the ages. Well, we hope so, anyway.
When the duo announced they would be playing in this year's tournament, some jaws dropped. Watt, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the year and former Houston Texan - and Burnley co-owner - will be playing for the Clarets this year. McAfee, the former Indianapolis Colt and current ESPN media personality, will roll out as captain of a Concacafa SC squad that includes ex-USMNT stars Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea.
It could be a blockbuster matchup, and one of the most highly anticipated in the group stage.
GettyThe battle between Blue and Red, featuring two of Europe's finest attackers of the past decade - Nani and Aguero will clash in Group A of the tournament.
They'll meet on Thursday (6 pm ET on ESPN+ and ESPNU) in one of the marquee group stage matches.
The Argentine's Aguero Team and the former Portugal star's Nani FC will meet in the final Group Stage match as they look to advance into the knockout round.
Getty ImagesThe former USMNT stars will clash in the Group Stage of the tournament, with Conrad's Kwik Goal FC and Kljestan's Sneaky Fox pitting multiple ex-MLS stars against each other.
Former MLS MVPs Sebastian Giovinco and Dwayne De Rosario will represent Conrad's lineup, while the likes of Mix Diskerud, Kelyrn Rowe and Jay Demerit will field opposite of them.
A contest of former domestic stars, it will be a must-watch match in what is becoming a budding rivalry. Sneaky Fox eliminated Conrad in 2023 in the knockout round at TST, so fans will want to tune in to see if the courses are reversed.
GettyThe 2006 FIFA World Cup champion is making his triumphant return to the pitch this week to rep the Inter crest.
The legendary Italian defender joined Inter in 2001 - for a fee just north of $10M - from Perugia, and the rest was history. Over 10 years in a Nerrazzuri kit, Materazzi accumulated 184 appearances for the Serie A side. From 2001-2008, he made 41 appearances for the Triocolore on the international stage, including a brilliant 2006 World Cup victory.