100 Percent Soccer on “Which Way, L.A.?”

I’ll be talking to Warren Olney, host of “Which Way, L.A.?” at 7 p.m. on KCRW (89.9 FM) about David Beckham’s prospects of making his debut Saturday against Chelsea.

Updated: Listen to the podcast here.

The Reporter’s Notebook segment on Beckham is about 20 minutes into the program, after a lengthy discussion on Homeland Security.

Updated 9:50 p.m. Anyone else smell a major PR debacle brewing?

At the half of the MLS All-Star game tonight, Beckham said live on ESPN2 that he’s more likely than not to miss Saturday’s game against Chelsea.

But even after those comments, ESPN continued to promote his appearance during the game, simply saying he’s unlikely to start. The network plans blanket coverage of his debut, including an isolated camera on Beckham — even if he is on the bench.

In the Associated Press story that followed on Beckham’s comments, Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas is quoted as saying Beckham will get on the field in some fashion.

The apparent conflict leaves plenty of questions:

Is a player-club clash over Beckham’s fitness to play unfolding? Will commercial interests be placed over a player’s long-term health? If the injury was this serious why didn’t Beckham get here sooner for treatment rather than the day before he was introduced at the HDC? What kind of treatment did he receive in England? And how exciting will it be for television viewers to see Beckham wave to Tom Cruise from the bench?

Oh, and the MLS All-Stars beat Celtic 2-0 in the game.

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About Nick Green

South Bay-based Los Angeles News Group soccer columnist and blogger Nick Green writes at the 100 Percent Soccer blog at www.insidesocal.com/soccer and craft beer at the Beer Goggles blog at www.insidesocal.com/beer. Cheers!