Beckham set to shine at MLS all-star game

By Steve Keating

TORONTO (Reuters) - Almost a year after his aborted Major League Soccer (MLS) debut in Toronto, David Beckham returns to BMO Field on Thursday still the undisputed number one attraction as the league prepares for its annual All-Star clash against West Ham United.

While Beckham's return to Toronto failed to generate the same heat as his last visit to MLS's northern outpost, the former England captain proved he can still draw a crowd with Thursday's match attracting a sell-out audience and media attention from around the world.

Sharing the podium with Beckham at the pre-game media conference on Wednesday were Chicago Fires Mexican international signing Cuauhtemoc Blanco and All-Star coach Steve Nicol but it was left to the England midfielder to field 95 percent of the questions which ranged from his interest in acting to a first-year review of the MLS.

"It (MLS) is a lot better than everyone thinks," said Beckham, who rocked the sporting world when he left Spanish giants Real Madrid to join soccer minnows Los Angeles Galaxy on a five-year deal worth $250 million (125 million pounds). "Especially this year the level has gone up.

"It's been an eye-opener, some places that we go. The travelling has been tough to get used to after Europe but the whole experience, I'm enjoying it.

"I'm enjoying playing against different players and different teams in the league.

"Every league in the world is different, the Premiership is fast and furious and La Liga is very technical. Every league is different and this is a very entertaining league.

"Overall it's been a good, positive experience."