David Beckham finally played, so maybe all those reporters covering the "will he-won't he" stories can go back to covering AYSO matches. Beckham made his debut in the 72nd minute of Thursday's match against DC United. And guess what? L.A. still lost.
MLS goal-scoring leader Luciano Emilio and a rejuvenated DC United spoiled the much-hyped (understatement of the year) debut of MLS's most famous designated player. Emilio put United ahead in the 27th minute with a well-struck shot from distance that goalkeeper Joe Cannon got a hand on but could not keep out, and that's the only goal that they would need.
LA coach Frank Yallop started Kyle Martino over Peter Vagenas in the midfield, and the young American cleared space for a Beckham debut in the second half, only it wasn't in the way that Yallop preferred. In the 67th minute, Martino was shown a straight red for sliding in on Fred's ankle from behind.
Beckham's entrance for Quavas Kirk, as expected, drew a huge ovation and certainly a sigh of relief from Galaxy executives. But Beckham, who only began practicing with his teammates this week, had trouble linking up with any of them, even though he delivered some impressive passes. One pass to Carlos Pavon came off a beautifully struck free kick to Pavon at the near post, but the Honduran international put it over the bar.
The Beckham effect was on full display as 46,686 packed RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., in the hope that the Gimped Great One would make a cameo. The LA Galaxy, who have played fewer matches than anyone to maximize the Beckham effect, will need to shake off the loss quick, with a Sunday match against the East-leading Revolution looming on Sunday. Los Angeles are clinging to the hope that more Beckham will equal more points as they have a pitiful 14 points from 14 matches.
The win puts United in second place in the East, with a game in hand. United will return to SuperLiga play in their next match, giving Los Angeles a chance at revenge in the USA-Mexico club tournament semi-final on August 15 at The Home Depot Center.
Sports media personality Michael Wilbon, best known for being one-half of the PTI duo, has a nice column on Beckham's debut and NASL memories.
About Me
- The Yankee Hooligan
- TYH is a masked avenger for the righteousness of American soccer, converting nonbelievers and destroying those who stand in the way of our country's glorious destiny as a soccer world power.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Our long national nightmare is over...
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1 comments:
To be fair, once Beckham did hit the field, LA's chances dramatically rose.
They had three good scoring chances with him at the helm of two of them--the great pass to Donovan and the free kick that found the head of Pavon. (I think it was Pavon)
Their chances would have been even greater if, hey, they had 11 men on the field. What the hell was Kyle Martino thinking? Just a stupid, rash tackle.
I guess he was just fed up with Fred kiling (absolutely KILLING) the Galaxy at every turn on the right wing.
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