West Ham United are set to face England midfielder David Beckham when the club plays the Major League Soccer All-Stars in Toronto on Thursday 24 July.
The LA Galaxy player was among the eleven names voted into the First XI following a poll of fans, players, media and coaches/general managers. Beckham was second in the combined voting behind US star striker and club-mate Landon Donovan, while the next most popular was the veteran Chicago Fire and Mexico playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco. The match, which kicks off at midnight London time, will be broadcast live in England via Setanta Sports.
The New England Revolution, who are the MLS's form team, have three players in the lineup - namely goalkeeper Matt Reis, defender Michael Parkhurst and midfielder Shalrie Joseph. The defence also features Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and Columbus Crew's Frankie Hejduk, who will be taking on West Ham United four days earlier in a friendly on Sunday 20 July.
Joining Beckham, Blanco and Joseph in midfield are Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan and Columbus midfielder Robbie Rogers. Up front alongside Donovan is the FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper, who with eight goals has three fewer than current league top scorer Donovan on eleven.
The First XI is reflective of Major League Soccer's diverse player pool. Ranging in age from 21 (Robbie Rogers) to 35 (Cuauhtémoc Blanco), this group brings an array of experience both domestically and abroad. Three players born outside of the United States and Canada are among the eleven, each having captained their respective country's national team - Beckham (102 caps with England), Blanco (97 caps with Mexico), and Joseph (Grenada).
On 15 July, Revolution head coach Steve Nicol and his staff will select five additional All-Stars, who will join two Commissioner selections to complete the 18-man MLS squad. Nicol earned the honor of coaching the MLS side by leading his team to the highest points per game average in the league through games on 29 June. The First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup. Nicol will select the starters based on player availability and tactical considerations