Galaxy players: Beckham loss "massive."
Galaxy players reacted Tuesday to Beckham's injury; Coach Bruce Arena sounds like he's taking it in stride, however:
CARSON (AP) -- David Beckham's prolonged absence because of an injury suffered in Europe will affect the Los Angeles Galaxy profoundly, Galaxy players said Tuesday."With this team, it's massive," said Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter, who played for the
United States in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. "He's a huge part of this team. It's (a matter of) trying to figure out what to do next."Beckham tore his left Achilles' tendon Sunday while playing for AC Milan during his second offseason loan to the Italian club from Major League Soccer's Galaxy. He underwent surgery in Finland on Monday and will be sidelined for about six months.
The Galaxy's season ends in October so Beckham will miss most of the MLS season.
"He's an important part to AC Milan, he's an important part to England and he's a vital part to us," Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein said. "On the field, the leadership, the quality he brings, you don't replace that."
Beckham was trying to earn a place on England's World Cup roster. Had he done so, he would have been the first English player to appear in four World Cups.
"I know he's very down about this," said Klein.
Galaxy midfielder Bryan Jordan said Beckham provided a positive example for young players.
"I look at how he does things, how he keeps the ball, where he loses the ball, how he gets his crosses in," Jordan said. "I've looked up to him even before playing with him."
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said he had no idea when Beckham would return.
"I don't think I've ever had a player with an Achilles' tendon tear," Arena said. "When they say 'six months,' it's probably accurate. That might even be aggressive. You don't know how the player reacts to the surgery, therapy, rehab, all that stuff."
Nevertheless, Arena said Beckham's absence will not alter the Galaxy's basic approach to offense.
"We're not going to change anything," Arena said. "We were going to be playing without him up until July, anyway. We won't need to be making any adjustments if he's not back in July."
Incidentally, Landon Donovan will meet the media Wednesday for the first time since returning to the Galaxy from Everton.
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Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. 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 and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Get well soon, Beck's!
I dunno why it is a "massive loss", or really much of a loss at all, since he will miss as much time as he otherwise would have for showing up halfway into the season as he has every other year ...
Beckham injuried is a loss, but no massive one,, on the field for the G’s.
As reported G’s haven’t scored a single goal from his corner, freekicks which he has taken in 2009.
He would have missed at least half a season anyway (not pending possible future MNT call ups next fall).
It’s just too bad we can’t have the DP spot or at least his salarycap space until then…
At least Klein/Mathis and Co will get more playing time and maybe the draftpick Stevens too.
G’s have more problems up top with Buddle way too streaky and Alecko having to retire (at least temporary).