David Beckham Unveiled for LA Galaxy

David Beckham is finally unveiled for LA Galaxy.

He is expected to debut in a friendly versus Chelsea 21 July.

Red carpet rolled out for Beckham - BBC

BBC Video

Fans clamour to see Beckham play - BBC

BBC Images

Beckham unveiled in Los Angeles - AP - FoxSoccer.com

Beckham ready for LA challenge - Sky Sports


Beckham LA Galaxy Jerseys

Beckham Leaves for Los Angeles

David Beckham will be unveiled tomorrow and make his playing debut for LA Galaxy 21 July in a friendly against Chelsea.

Beckham and family fly to Los Angeles - AP - FoxSoccer.com


David Beckham LA Galaxy Jerseys - NEW

Beckham Real Madrid Era Nets £300m

David Beckham's time at Real Madrid raised merchandising profits for the club by 137%.

Madrid reveal Beckham cash boost - BBC


Beckham Merchandise

U.S. Shows Copa America No Respect

Although it was well into the second half against Argentina, U.S. Soccer was finally shown what fielding a weakened team against arguably the world's best team will get you. A 4-1 drubbing, that should have been worse.

Quite frankly, when the final whistle sounded, it was actually a relief, as one couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the overwhelmed young Americans. Another ten minutes and Argentina would have probably put up three or four more goals.

So the question is: why did the Americans field such a weak team?

It seems that the reasons run from "domestic leagues start soon or are already going" to "this is a good chance for the young guys to get ready for World Cup 2010."

The latter of those evokes the most laughter from anyone outside of the U.S. Soccer family. Imagine the English F.A. telling supporters that Euro 2008 is a good opportunity to try out the young lads.

The English F.A. and manager Steve McClaren aren't even allowed to field a weakened team for a friendly.

And they shouldn't be.

It's wrong that the U.S. should give a run-out to players that are not ready for international football. You don't get ready for international football during top level tournaments. You are supposed to show that you have arrived at those tournaments.

U.S. manager Bob Bradley recently stated, "when our focus turns to our ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa."

Forgetting for a moment the disrespect this shows to the Copa America, it seems strange to call "qualifying" for the World Cup the ultimate goal.

For starters, qualifying for the World Cup has not been a problem for the U.S.

They play in the weakest confederation other than Oceania. Their only real rival Mexico, is vexed when playing the Americans anywhere other than Mexico. And mysteriously, FIFA would rather pull World Cup spots from Europe or South America than to dare upset the delicate balance in North America.

Besides all of that, the U.S., with all its weaknesses, are still probably in the top two in the region.

The shock would be if they didn't qualify for the World Cup.

None of this is to say anything about the fact that sending your young players out to be humiliated doesn't prepare them for future tournaments. What World Cup champion was prepared by sending out their "B" squad to get pounded in the previous tournament?

This kind of rhetoric is reminiscent of talk prior to France '98, when many American players were cocky and dismissive about the difficult task at hand, right before scoring one goal and finishing 32nd. While those sentiments were at the complete other end of the spectrum, they are similar in showing that soccer is still very immature in the United States.

It would behoove the U.S. Soccer brain-trust, as well as many U.S. players, to watch interviews with the English national team players. Mostly what they would see is humility mixed with pride.

Respect for who they are playing, no matter how big or small, and every match matters.

Earlier this year, when dropped from the national squad, David Beckham stated he would walk back to England from the United States to play again for his country. And he will fly some 100,000 later this year to prove his loyalty and passion.

Sadly, U.S. Soccer doesn't seem to have any of this kind of passion, nor do they seem to have any respect for one of the world's premier football competitions.

You have to wonder if CONMEBOL will even bother extending invitations to the U.S. for future tournaments.

It must be disappointing to the U.S. national team fans that were excited to find out their team would make their first Copa America appearance in 12 years.

However, for true football fans of any nation, it would have been rather disconcerting if a hodgepodge, four-days-in-the-making, U.S. side had been able to hang on against eleven of the most talented footballers in the world.

U.S. Soccer will surely argue that Copa America conflicts with MLS and too closely followed the Gold Cup. But in the end, this just serves to highlight their unwillingness to play to the rest of the world's schedule.

And of course, MLS conflicts with the World Cup as well, but the U.S. position about how the Copa America and the World Cup stack-up in priority has now been well established.

Maybe the U.S. should have simply declined the invitation.

-Chris


Related on other sites:
CONMEBOL not pleased with U.S. - AP - FoxSoccer.com
CONMEBOL

Lampard - Chelsea Midfielder Rejects New Contract

Chelsea's Frank Lampard rejects a new deal, but still has two years remaining on his current contract.

Lampard rejects new Chelsea deal - BBC

Chelsea Away Kit 2008

Hargreaves Manchester United Transfer Finally Complete

England midfielder Owen Hargreaves finally moves to Manchester United from Bayern Munich in a deal reportedly worth £17m.

Hargreaves completes Man Utd move - BBC


Manchester United T-Shirt

Beckham, American Football Player Reggie Bush Video

David Beckham plays keepy-up with an American football and more.

Saints FC? Becks meets Bush - FoxSoccer.com Video 3:03


Beckham Merchandise

Beckham LA Galaxy Unveiling 13 July

LA Galaxy will unveil David Beckham on 13 July.

His first match will possibly be a friendly against Chelsea 21 July.

Galaxy set date to unveil Beckham - BBC


David Beckham Merchandise

Eriksson Will Likely Manage Manchester City

BBC is reporting that Sven-Goran Eriksson will likely accept the Manchester City job if the takeover by Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra materializes.

Eriksson set to take Man City job - BBC

Manchester City Jerseys

Real Madrid Win Title in Dramatic La Liga Finale

In a dramatic finish in La Liga, Real Madrid win the title with two late goals for a 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu.

Beckham bows out with Liga title - BBC

Beckham nearly gets Hollywood ending - AP - FoxSoccer.com

Weddings for Four England Internationals

John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Gary Neville, and Michael Carrick, all marry their girlfriends this weekend.

England stars' wedding hat-trick - BBC

Beckham Will Keep England Spot

David Beckham is told he can keep his place on the national team by England manager Steve McClaren.

Beckham assured of England future - BBC

David Beckham Merchandise

Ben Haim to Chelsea According to Allardyce

Sam Allardyce claims that Chelsea will sign Bolton's Ben Haim.

Chelsea set to win Ben Haim race - BBC

Beckham Asked to Stay by Real Madrid, Again

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, who once claimed no other teams were interested in David Beckham, says he will try to talk the England international into staying at the Bernabeu.

Allegedly, there is a clause in Beckham's contract that would allow him to stay at Real Madrid.

A spokesperson for Beckham stated the move to LA Galaxy would take place as planned.


Real chief wants Beckham to stay - BBC

England Players Will Donate Pay

England players will be donating all pay from their international matches to charity.

Team England Footballers Charity will raise more than £1m before the World Cup in 2010.

England stars to play for nothing - BBC

Beckham Updates

"I'm going to travel to Zaragoza and I'm going to play" Beckham on crucial Real Madrid match Saturday.
Becks will play for Real despite injury - AP - FoxSoccer.com

Lalas "will drive Beckham to airport..."
Galaxy happy with Beckham recall - CNN

100,000 miles in the air
Long-haul Beckham By Tom Fordyce & Ian Hughes BBC

Aviation health expert Farrol Kahn warned: "It puts him in the high risk category for getting deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)."
Beckham warned over flight risks - By Tom Fordyce -BBC

Beckham Looks to Continue for England

While the suddenly in-demand David Beckham looks to continue playing for the national side, pundits and fans alike have begun looking at future schedules and realizing Beckham will have to miss a lot of matches for LA Galaxy to remain in the England set-up.

Recent statements from both sides show that England will take priority over MLS.

When speaking of playing for the national team, Beckham makes no mention of scheduling conflicts and speaks only of his desire to remain in McClaren's squad.

LA Galaxy president Alexi Lalas seems in favor of Beckham's return to international glory, leading one to believe these details were worked out long before Beckham signed with the MLS club.

Yesterday, Beckham himself seemed to make everyone's speculation rather unnecessary, stating, "LA Galaxy will do everything possible to keep me playing for my country."


Beckham commits to England cause - BBC
Becks confident of club and country role - AP - FoxSoccer.com

David Beckham Leads England Back

England's hopes of qualifying for next summer's Euro 2008 got a boost as David Beckham assisted on two of three goals in a 3-0 rout of Estonia.

Beckham was undoubtedly England's most prolific player as the former captain played through a twisted ankle he picked up early on.

Two brilliant long-range passes into space, one that found Peter Crouch and one that found Michael Owen, sealed the victory that closed out the international season.

A lovely volley by Joe Cole from a Peter Crouch header had earlier put England on top in the 37th.

The 6'7" Liverpool striker was in impressive form but foolishly picked up a yellow late on that will have him missing the match against Israel on 08 September.

The win, combined with a draw between Croatia and Russia, put England closer to qualification.

England are currently 4th in Group E, but with four of their five remaining games at home.


Croatia 17
Israel 17
Russia 15
England 14
Macedonia 7
Estonia 0
Andorra 0

Glenn Hoddle Tips Beckham to Continue for England

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle told BBC Five Live that he backs David Beckham to remain in the England squad beyond Wednesday's qualifier.

Hoddle stated "I think he could be back to stay, whatever happens in America."

Beckham back to stay, says Hoddle - BBC Report

Euro 2008 Fixtures 02.06.07 - Qualifiers

European Championship 2008 Qualifying Matches

Saturday 02.06.07

13:00 - Kazakhstan v Armenia
15:00 - Wales v Czech Republic
16:00 - Russia v Andorra
17:00 - Azerbaijan v Poland
17:00 - Iceland v Liechtenstein
17:15 - Finland v Serbia
18:00 - Germany v San Marino
18:30 - FYR Macedonia v Israel
19:00 - Belarus v Bulgaria
19:00 - Bosnia-Herzegovina v Turkey
19:00 - Denmark v Sweden
19:00 - Lithuania v Georgia
19:05 - Norway v Malta
19:30 - Albania v Luxembourg
19:30 - Estonia v Croatia
19:30 - Greece v Hungary
19:30 - Latvia v Spain
19:45 - Belgium v Portugal
19:45 - Faroe Islands v Italy
19:45 - Slovenia v Romania
20:00 - France v Ukraine


Wednesday 06.06.07

14:00 - Kazakhstan v Azerbaijan
16:30 - Armenia v Poland
17:00 - Andorra v Israel
17:15 - Faroe Islands v Scotland
18:00 - Bulgaria v Belarus
18:00 - Norway v Hungary
18:15 - Finland v Belgium
19:00 - Romania v Slovenia
19:15 - Bosnia-Herzegovina v Malta
19:15 - Luxembourg v Albania
19:15 - Sweden v Iceland
19:30 - Croatia v Russia
19:30 - Estonia v England
19:30 - Germany v Slovakia
19:30 - Greece v Moldova
19:30 - Latvia v Denmark
19:30 - Liechtenstein v Spain
19:45 - Lithuania v Italy
20:00 - France v Georgia