Real Madrid expected to give MLS stars intense match

Veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard says top North American club players should expect “cutthroat” competition from Spanish giants Real Madrid in Wednesday’s ( Thursday in Manila) Major League Soccer All- Star Game.

The All- Star match at Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, marks the end of a four- match, 11- day preseason US tour for Real Madrid that included a 3- 2 loss to rival Barcelona in a Clasico matchup at Miami.

But Howard expects Real Madrid to bring their best as they prepare for the upcoming La Liga campaign.

“When you get to play for a team like Real Madrid, there’s no days off,” Howard said. “There are no easy games. They have a world- class coach that they are trying to impress.

“They have got to play well to earn a spot coming up for the La Liga season. World football is intense and it’s cutthroat. There aren’t any days when guys just take it easy. When you put your jersey on and cross the line -- whether it’s a tournament, a regular-season game, a pre-season game, an All-Star Game — these guys are going to be up for it.”

Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Howard will start in goal for Chicago Fire coach Veljiko Paunovic in the mid- season exhibition.

In 2001, Howard represented the East in a conference versus conference All- Star Game and in the following year he was part of an MLS All- Star squad that took on US national team.

He played against the MLS AllStars when he returned with English Premiership side Everton in 2009 in the current format that pits the All- Stars against top- flight European competition.

“I’m not sure which one’s better,” he said of the various permutations of the All- Star Game he has experienced. “But it will be certainly exciting to play Real Madrid — there’s no question about that.”

The All- Stars feature plenty of heavyweights with marquee match experience, including World Cup winners Bastian Schweinsteiger, David Villa and Kaka.