David Beckham's LA debut: Exciting, disappointingDavid Beckham’s debut for the LA Galaxy this weekend was exactly what I expected. The match was worse than I feared.
The atmosphere surrounding the Home Depot Center in Southern California was electric – that much shone right through the TV. The red carpet was rolled out – literally – for such celebrities as Eva Longoria, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Katie Holmes, and Jennifer Love-Hewitt. This star power, added to Beckham’s own considerable drawing power, no doubt meant that many prospective soccer fans were tuning in to witness their first ever match.
I don’t know if they saw enough to come back.
Not that I can blame Beckham – it took a courageous effort for him to even take the pitch in obvious pain. Clearly, he didn’t want to disappoint the thousands of fans in attendance, and millions watching from home. Even the commentators – especially Eric Wynalda and Julie Foudy - clearly were cheering for Becks to enter the match. When he finally entered the game in the 88th minute, I actually got chills – not bad for someone who’s not a huge fan of either #23 or his new Galaxy team.
His first touch was impressive – a 50 yard pass that was too good for its intended recipient. And that’s the problem. Becks didn’t have a Willis Reed-esque effect on the rest of his teammates, lifting them to a win or even a draw. They were just as mediocre in the first 87 minutes without him as they were in the final 13 with him. The team couldn’t even earn a free kick in a place for Becks to at least have a go. He’s the lone star in a Galaxy of mediocrity. And that includes Landon Donovan, who had the gall to insist that he’ll still be taking some free kicks.
There wasn’t a person watching the game who didn’t want David to at least have to chance to do something exciting. The refs extended stoppage time to nearly 4 minutes – in a friendly – finally allowing Beckham to at least take a corner kick.
Not that I, or other learned soccer fans expected him to come in and start drilling shots into the upper 90 from midfield. But what about those who were giving the sport its first chance, due to the nearly unprecedented media frenzy? They were treated to a scoreless first half, and a single goal deflected in off the post from Chelsea’s John Terry in the second. Sure, it’s quite early in the preseason, but even the neutrals – and I think most people found themselves in this camp – would’ve love to have seen the scoreboard lit up with 4 or 5 goals, even if most of them went to the team in blue.
Pre-match, the typically over-competitive Jose Mourinho promised to lay off of Beckham when he did play. He knew what everyone was paying to see. But the Blues were slack *until* Becks came in. Reading import Steve Sidwell’s unnecessary sliding challenge took Becks off his feet, and a nationwide collective gasp was heard. Three matches at Chelsea and you’re already an a-hole, Steve. Classy.
Beckham himself has been emphasizing that he’s going to be with the team for five seasons, not five minutes. His best in an MLS uniform is yet to come – just look at Juan Pablo Angel’s resurgence. But will new fans and an impatient traditional media give him that long?
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David Beckham ფან-კლუბი, ინგლისის საუკეთესო ფეხბურთელი
