In general, U.S. Soccer coaches have a rule about calling in overseas players - they don't do it unless they're going to play them. Honestly, why subject someone to the travel if they're not going to step on the field?
However, over in Colorado, they're apparently worried that Beckham will miss the opener there. Yet at the same time, they question whether Becks will even get a cap.
First of all, three days rest is much more what Beckham got last year when he played the entire match for England versus Germany before flying back to an MLS match versus Chivas USA the next day. Secondly, if he only plays part of the match or not at all, why wouldn't he be fine to play in Colorado? Finally, perhaps MLS learned about marketing matches, any matches, as "Come see a certain someone" because players do get injured and that's just part of the game.
Maybe they're actually marketing this as "Come see the Galaxy" and if people haven't figured out that David Beckham is a member of that team, well, they're probably too far out of the soccer loop to be converted into fans anyway.
Beckham will likely play, barring injury, in both games - the one in France and the one in Colorado.
If Beckham plays in France, he shouldn't play in Colorado.
ReplyDeleteYes, he did it last year, but just because he can do it doesn't meant he should. It was a bad idea to have him play in that Chivas game last year and it will be a bad idea to have him do the same this year.
Having said that, maybe he can come off the bench (20 or 15 minutes). He shouldn't start and play 90 minutes, though.
No, he didn't do it last year. Last year he flew back from England and played the very next day.
ReplyDeleteLet's say he plays the second half in France. Why wouldn't he be ok to play three days later? A lot of Galaxy players played midweek (SuperLiga or Open Cup) games, then played a regular season MLS game on the weekend. It's not a ridiculous abuse of Beckham at all, especially considering that he's fit and not rehabbing any current injury.
I don't think that fans shouldn't be unconcerned about whether Beckham will play but to say that the Galaxy most certainly wont use him is extreme.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am not too worried about his status for that game. I expect he'll start and play most, if not all, of the game.
of course he'll start, they have little chance of winning without him. Great game, no offense vs no defense
ReplyDeleteI'm a Rapids season ticket holder and I think he'll probably play, but I'll cut FC Rocky some slack. It's hard not to be pessimistic when you're a Rapids fan. I think the whole lot of us have had our views darkened by the fact that Clavijo is still coach.
ReplyDeleteThe Rapids have no right to complain about whether Becks plays or not during the season opener. Otherwise, they should have bought their own superstar footballer to attract more fans.
ReplyDeletewouldnt the rapids fans rather not see him play? he's really good and could make their team lose.
ReplyDeleteI asked Ruud Gullit today - he said that Beckham and Landon Donovan (who is also going to be involved in an international match) will probably play.
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