TORONTO, July 23, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) - BMO Field, home to Major League Soccer's Toronto FC, and the site of international soccer matches involving the Canadian national teams, will host the 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game. The MLS all-stars will play against West Ham United of England's Premier League on the industry-best soccer specific FieldTurf pitch on Thursday, July 24.
The FieldTurf surface at BMO Field is the latest in synthetic turf innovation and was initially installed in April 2007. It first passed the stern FIFA testing procedures in June 2007 to earn FIFA 2-Star Recommended status. Having been the site for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 along with Toronto

By John F. Molinaro CBC Sports Dwayne De Rosario was one of three Caandians named to this year's MLS all-star team. (Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) With

By Dylan Butler and Mark Polishuk / MLSnet.com Staff TORONTO - There were stars on the turf at BMO Field for the first MLS training session in preparation for Thursday night's MLS All-Star Game against West Ham United, including David Beckham, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Landon Donovan and Juan Toja.
But that's about it.
w years ago the two No. 10s were both considered Public Enemy No. 1 by the other's country during some of those heated U.S.-Mexico matches?

When West Ham United officials were offered a chance to play the MLS All-Stars, they saw the match as an opportunity for the club to continue their preseason conditioning, starting with a friendly Sunday in Columbus, where the Hammers beat the Columbus Crew 3-1 in a match marred by crowd violence.
The English contingent arrived in Toronto on Monday and planned training sessions the next two days. The Hammers prepare for their Premiership opener Aug. 16 vs. Wigan.

Steve Nicol insists the depth of talent at his disposal for Thursday's All-Star game is proof of the strides being made in Major League Soccer.
Nicol: Takes charge of All-Star team
exican playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Canadian star Dwayne De Rosario are among the players vying for midfield starting spots against the English Premier League side, while Nicol has plenty of options up front to partner MLS-leading goalscorer Landon Donovan, including Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel and US internationals Edson Buddle and Kenny Cooper.

By Orrin Schwarz | Daily Herald Columnist For instance, there was the long-ago conversation in the Chicago Fire's Soldier Field locker room with then-MLS

By BOB LUDER Jimmy Conrad’s sweet on two things: daughter Julia and lemon cake. Julia was 5 months old when this picture was taken at Conrad’s home.

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - West Ham striker Dean Ashton believes the Major League Soccer All-Star Game is "going to be a big test."
West Ham, which finished 10th in the English Premier League last season, plays a group of MLS All-Stars led by David Beckham at BMO Field in Toronto at 7 p.m. (ET) on Thursday.
paring for the grueling EPL season, West Ham wants to snap the MLS All-Stars' perfect mark against international opponents.

TORONTO - David Beckham jogged around the turf, smiling and laughing with his teammates during a brief practice at BMO Field on Tuesday in preparation for Thursday's Major League all-star game.
But while soccer's biggest star was there, a pair of Canadian all-stars were noticeably not.
d all-star coach Steve Nicol of the New England Revolution. "The one thing I can promise the Canadians is that they'll see the field at some stage."

Landon Donovan is not exactly Toronto's favourite visitor. The fans at BMO Field have taken a liking to bashing the American international, who has a Major League Soccer-leading 12 goals this season.
But when the league's all-star game kicks off Thursday night, Donovan is hoping for cheers, as he will be part of the MLS team that takes on English side West Ham United.
hrough the paces under New England coach Steve Nicol.

By Mark Polishuk / MLSnet.com Staff VAUGHAN, Ont. - Talk about Canadian hospitality. West Ham United head coach Alan Curbishley was amused to learn that several Toronto FC supporters groups attending Thursday's Major League Soccer All-Star Game were planning to cheer for West Ham, rather than a team comprised of just one TFC player (Jim Brennan) and several rivals. These supporters' groups were even planning to learn the lyrics to the West Ham anthem, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles."
"That's all right," chucked Curbishley. "I don't think 'Blowing Bubbles' is that hard."
l-known West Ham stars who made the trip across the pond, as WHU will field close to their entire first-choice

By Frank Dell'Apa, Special to ESPNsoccernet All-star games and player drafts are North American sporting concepts, and it is questionable whether they have

Landon Donovan has warned West Ham not to take Thursday night's game against the Major League Soccer All-Stars lightly at BMO Field.
Donovan: Expects tight game
uan Pablo Angel, Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco and league-leading goalscorer Donovan, in his eighth All-Star Game at the age of just 26.

By Pat Martin, MLS Editor Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Major League Soccer's All-Stars have gone undefeated against some of the world's most well known club teams over the past five years, but does it really mean anything in the grand scheme of things?
In 2003, the MLS All-Stars topped Mexican side CD Guadalajara 3-1. In 2005, they toppled the English Premier League's Fulham FC 4-1, and the past two seasons they outscored world powers Chelsea and Celtic of the EPL and Scottish Premier League, respectively, by a combined 3-0 for two more wins.
nough and if you take it lightly they can embarrass you. And we want to win and show that we're good."

By Dylan Butler / MLSnet.com Staff Landon Donovan has a message to any first-time MLS All-Stars who are thinking of having an extended vacation in Toronto

Major League Soccer’s All-Star squad will face off against Premiership club West Ham United on July 24th from Toronto, Canada. BMO Field is home to second-year franchise Toronto FC. The atmosphere will be electric as home fans and privileged ticket hold
by David Wilson (Senior Writer) 0 comments
se Toronto FC. The atmosphere will be electric as home fans and privileged ticket holders cheer on the best of MLS.