Beckham highlights MLS all-star lineup

David Beckham, who is Major League Soccer's marquee player, will play in the MLS All-Star game to be held later this month against West Ham United in Toronto.

Former England skipper Beckham is expecting a close match with West Ham, the English Premier League club nearest to his childhood home in east London.

“I've played against a few of the players before in the Premiership. It's going to be a tough game,” Beckham said.

“They're preparing for the season, so they'll be working hard to get their fitness and it will be an interesting game.”

Joining Beckham on the MLS team is Mexico's Cuauhtemoc Blanco following voting by fans, coaches and the American media.

Between them Beckham, of the Los Angeles Galaxy, and Blanco, of the Chicago Fire, have a combined 197 international caps and five World Cup appearances.

Also in the selection, which will be boosted next week with an additional five selections by All-Star team coach Steve Nicol and two picks from MLS Commissioner Don Garber, is Beckham's Galaxy teammate and MLS leading scorer this season Landon Donovan.

Donovan will be appearing in his seventh straight All-Star selection at the age of 26.

MLS All-Star preliminary squad:

Goalkeeper: Matt Reis (New England)

Defenders Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Frankie Hedjuk (Columbus), Michael Parkhurst (New England)

Midfielders: David Beckham (Los Angeles), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago), Shalrie Joseph (New England), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)

Forwards: Kenny Cooper (Dallas), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles).