Beckham booed on return

[Gribz 919]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8158547.stm

 

David Beckham was involved in a confrontation with Los Angeles fans during his first home game since returning from a spell at AC Milan.

 

The 34-year-old England midfielder missed the first half of the Major League Soccer season after extending his loan deal with the Italian side.

 

The Galaxy were playing Milan in a friendly and Beckham was jeered by sections of the sell-out crowd.

 

"The majority of fans have been great," Beckham insisted afterwards.

 

"It was only one or two that, you know, it was to be expected.

 

"Sometimes it goes beyond it. I tried to shake one of the guy's hands but he didn't want any of it. That's the way it is."

 

His charisma is very important for other players. We are really happy with his situation

 

Boos were louder than cheers as the players were introduced prior to kick-off and every touch from the former England captain was jeered early on by sections of the 27,000 sell-out crowd.

 

Several fans made their displeasure known with banners and as the players went off at the interval Beckham had to be escorted from the field by security as he walked over to an area of seats to confront jeering fans.

 

One supporter jumped down and had to be restrained before being taken away.

 

It marked the end of a turbulent week for Beckham since his return to the United States, who also had to placate team-mates following comments by Galaxy captain Landon Donovan.

 

The pair met with coach Bruce Arena after Beckham responded to the remarks from Donovan that accused the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player of being unprofessional.

 

The match itself ended 2-2, Beckham doing his talking on the pitch by having a hand in both Galaxy goals.

 

For the first he played a trademark cross-field ball to Donovan, who then set up Alan Gordon, while for the second, and with Galaxy 2-1 down, it was Beckham's corner that was headed home by Bryan Jordan.

 

After that he turned to a section of fans who had been particularly vociferous and shrugged his shoulders, while he applauded those fans who had been supportive when he was withdrawn in the 75th minute.

 

"There's not another player on this team or in this league who can make those kinds of plays," stated Donovan. "That's going to be crucial for us."

 

Earlier this year, Beckham said he wanted to remain with the Italian club rather than return to the Galaxy.

 

He also revealed earlier this month he would consider a return to the Premier League because it would improve his chances of playing for England at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

 

Milan manager Leonardo did not rule out a return to the San Siro for Beckham.

 

"His charisma is very important for other players," he said through a translator. "We are really happy with his situation."

 

Beckham played in Galaxy's 3-1 win at the New York Red Bulls during his first game back in the US and with six games of the MLS season remaining his side are third in the Western Conference.

 

Not surprised. He is talking the piss a bit and recently stated his wish to play again in Europe.

 

But he only has himself to blame, he has to be committed when he makes such move, he went there for the money and fame more than anything else.

 

He should just pack up and move back to Europe where he will easily find a club.

[craig 5,199]

Not surprised. He is talking the piss a bit and recently stated his wish to play again in Europe.

 

But he only has himself to blame, he has to be committed when he makes such move, he went there for the money and fame more than anything else.

 

He should just pack up and move back to Europe where he will easily find a club.

 

I find it amusing though that these fans are giving him such a hard time when they have 4 "national" sports (NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL) where players are CONSTANTLY moving to other teams.

 

At least in Beckham's instance he was looking to go to, and stay at, Milan for footballing reasons - these schisters are doing it for nothing more than money.

 

Yes, Beckham went to LA for the money - not sure I agree with the fame part Gribz (I think that was more his wife's thing) - but by looking to go to Milan or back to the EPL he would be taking a huge pay cut to do so.

 

I think that he also had a belief that he could improve the interest levels in "soccer" in the US, but has probably found it very difficult to break down decades old barriers which mean schools and colleges are only really interested in NFL, NBA and MLB sports.

 

I think that when Beckham went to the US he thought his international career was almost over and that he should go to the US for a last major pay-day. But he has played well enough since that move to still be involved in the national set-up and he probably now regrets the choice he made as it is making it more difficult to be noticed and be in the national team.

 

He seems like a really nice bloke though. He was interviewed over in the US last week by one of the national networks and the interviewer (Matt Lauer) commented that he really liked the suit Beckham was wearing. Matt Lauer was on the same program the next day (obviously) with Beckham's suit. Beckham went back-stage after the interview, took his suit off and gave it to Lauer.

 

I used to dislike Beckham but the more I hear him he sounds like a regular guy who is very humble but just so happens to have a god-given talent which has made him incredibly rich.

 

Good for him I say.

[Gribz 919]

Yes, Beckham went to LA for the money - not sure I agree with the fame part Gribz (I think that was more his wife's thing) - but by looking to go to Milan or back to the EPL he would be taking a huge pay cut to do so.

 

I think that he also had a belief that he could improve the interest levels in "soccer" in the US, but has probably found it very difficult to break down decades old barriers which mean schools and colleges are only really interested in NFL, NBA and MLB sports.

 

 

I think his wife was the main player in the fame thing but he would have went along with the idea also.

 

The second part is true, he wanted to improve 'soccer' in the US but surely he must have known it would take a huge committment and moving away to Milan on loan is a bit of a kick in the teeth to the Major League. It says to other players that they may lose their international place by going to that league and the UK media showed that league out to be Championship level at best.

 

Beckham gained my respect when he came back from the death threats from his own England fans to be a key player for them.

 

Would be interesting to see who thinks he is world class. Ive never thought he was a world class player, he is certainly a good player with a unique right foot but not world class. Im not just talking about free kicks (we've seen 100s of players hit free kicks as good), but his goal making passing is different class.

[andrew_2010 0]

Landon Donovan also spent some months away during their season on loan at Bayern Munich, although I don't think he was as vocal about staying as Beckham, but im sure if offered, he would have jumped at it.

 

Im a fan of beckhams, and for me he IS world class. His work ethic is phenominal for such a gifted player, and although he gets the piss ripped out of him for being stupid, he's a very rich man now after some clever moves and hard work.

[Gazza_8 233]

I wouldn't say he was a gifted player. He's a crackin' passer but that's about it. He does try like fuck though and I do applaud him for that.

[craig 5,199]

I wouldn't say he was a gifted player. He's a crackin' passer but that's about it. He does try like fuck though and I do applaud him for that.

 

Is passing and effort not two of the major things you would look for in a midfielder ?

[Gazza_8 233]

Is passing and effort not two of the major things you would look for in a midfielder ?

 

Perhaps but I'd go for goalscoring too. A modern day midfielder should be looking to score 10+ goals a season. I reckon effort isn't vital for a right midfielder.

[craig 5,199]

Perhaps but I'd go for goalscoring too. A modern day midfielder should be looking to score 10+ goals a season. I reckon effort isn't vital for a right midfielder.

 

But as a right midfielder should you really be expecting 10+ when he is stuck out on the wing ?

 

I would say goal creation is as, if not more, important for a right midfielder and Beckham certainly created plenty.

[Gazza_8 233]

But as a right midfielder should you really be expecting 10+ when he is stuck out on the wing ?

 

I would say goal creation is as, if not more, important for a right midfielder and Beckham certainly created plenty.

 

That too. With Beckham you have his ability to score from FKs on a regular basis and long shots which are two aspects I'd love to see in a Rangers player.

[ian1964 10,761]

Sign him Walter