International soccer icon David Beckham makes Toronto playing debut, sits down with CBC for exclusive one-on-one interview

CBC hits BMO Field in Toronto on Thursday, July 24, to bring Canadians live, prime time coverage of the 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game, as international soccer sensation David Beckham leads the MLS All-Stars against English Premier League club West Ham United. The action gets underway on CBC Television live at 7 p.m. ET (Ontario - East) and at 7 p.m. local (Manitoba – West), as well as on CBCSports.ca, live at 7 p.m. ET.

Brenda Irving will host CBC’s coverage of Major League Soccer’s 13th annual All-Star Game, which kicks off with a special preview show featuring an exclusive, must-see CBC one-on-one interview with Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham. Nigel Reed will call the game alongside analyst and former Canadian team captain Jason De Vos, while Mitch Peacock reports from the sidelines with updates and breaking news throughout the game. The 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game on CBC will also feature coverage of the halftime show, which features London, UK based R&B singer Estelle.

The 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game on CBC marks Beckham’s Canadian debut at BMO Field and his first appearance as an MLS All-Star. The former English team captain will be joined by his Galaxy teammate, MLS Golden Boot leader, Landon Donovan. Canadians Jim Brennan of Toronto FC and Dwayne De Rosario and Pat Onstad (both of the Houston Dynamo) will also be part of the All-Star squad taking the field in Toronto.

West Ham United makes its Canadian debut led by English International striker and former Beckham teammate Dean Ashton. The English side warmed up with a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Crew on Sunday. In four previous matchups with overseas oppositions, the MLS All-Stars have won every game.

Nutrilite Canadian Championship Soccer on CBC continues tonight, Tuesday, July 22, as Toronto FC host Montreal Impact at BMO Field, with the winner capturing the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and becoming Canada’s representative in the CONCACAF Champions League. CBCSports.ca and CBC’s digital channel bold will provide live coverage at 7 p.m. ET, while CBC Television will broadcast the match at 12 midnight local. CBC resumes its MLS regular season schedule on Monday, July 28 at 9 p.m. ET as Toronto FC visits Real Salt Lake at Rice-Eccles Stadium, live on CBCSports.ca and bold.