Columnist Nick Green has written 100 Percent Soccer
since 2005. A
native of England, he began writing about soccer in
the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat
in the stands for one in
the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home
Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas
USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer.
Married to a long-suffering soccer widow, he has a cat
named Pele.Hollywood United at Galaxy
Looks to be a sparse crowd for today's game at Home Depot Center benefiting victims of the recent wildfires.
England Coach Steve McClaren is here, however, and the (London) Sunday Times reported today that David Beckham has won a recall to the England team for the potentially crucial Croatia game Nov. 21, although the Brits could effectively be out of Euro 2008 qualifying by then.
The story is here.
David Beckham gets his first start since Aug. 29.
Third choice goalkeeper Lance Friesz is in goal for the Galaxy behind a back four of Chris Albright (who has returned from his serious injury), Troy Roberts, Kyle Veris and Ante Jazic.
Alongside Becks in midfield are Cobi Jones, Kelly Gray and 17-year-old Israel Sesay.
The strikers are Carlos Pavon and Edson Buddle.
Landon Donovan is on the bench and central defender Abel Xavier is back in Portugal.
United starters include former MLS players Richard Gough, Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas, Chris Henderson, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Jorge Campos (playing as a striker), Joe-Max Moore and Jason Boyce.
World Cup winner Frank LeBoeuf, the former French international, is also starting.
In goal is Anthony Lapaglia of "Without a Trace" fame.
Cool low flyby over the stadium just now by an LAPD chopper, by the way
There's no TV today.