Revs coach Nicol excited about All-Star game

Tag : Game Call

"We want to show people what we're made of and this is the perfectway to do it," Nicol said.
With only four defenders on the 18-man All-Star team, Los AngelesGalaxy forward Donovan said keeping West Ham in check won't beeasy.
"Guys understand this is a big opportunity to show we're goodenough," Donovan said. "If anyone comes in and thinks this is awalk in the park, I'm going to let them know."
West Ham finished 10th in the Premier League last year, afive-place improvement over the previous season. Led by Englandstriker Dean Ashton, Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg andAmerican defender Jonathan Spector, the Hammers beat the ColumbusCrew 3-1 Sunday in a friendly marred by crowd violence.
Donovan, who leads the MLS with 12 goals and seven assists thisseason, is making his eighth consecutive All-Star appearance. Heexpects a high level of competition because West Ham's fringeplayers will be trying to earn regular places once the Englishseason begins in August.
"They're going to be a very good team and they're going to bedifficult to play against," Donovan said. "I think they'll be asprepared as any team we've ever played in an All-Star game."
Donovan's Galaxy teammate Beckham will be making his first All-Starappearance, as is Chicago Fire midfielder Blanco. The MLS team willalso have New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel and Galaxyforward Edson Buddle, second in the league with 11 goals thisseason.