Recently in Beckham Category

Galaxy central defender Omar Gonzalez, the club's top draft pick out of Maryland didn't miss a game for the Galaxy this year and was literally head and shoulders above other candidates.

From the Galaxy press release:

The 21-year old defender from Dallas, Texas, becomes the second consecutive Galaxy defender to win the award. Teammate Sean Franklin received the honor in 2008. Gonzalez received the most votes in polling of media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers. All first-year players in MLS without previous professional experience were considered for the Rookie of the Year award.

The 6-foot, 5-inch, 210-pound, defender was an imposing force on the backline for the Galaxy this season. His size and range were key factors in the most dramatic defensive turnaround in League history, as the Galaxy allowed only 31 goals in 2009 compared to 62 goals allowed the previous season. Gonzalez also scored one goal and added one assist in his rookie season.

Turning to Friday's main event in the form of the Galaxy-Dynamo Western Conference final at Home Depot Center:

*The latest claim is that Grant Wahl's The Beckham Experiment actually bought the team together. Do you buy that?

* The Dynamo expect Friday's game against the Galaxy to be, um, feisty. Hmmm. Let's hope it's more than that.

*Does MLS consistency give the Dynamo the edge Friday? This article claims it does. But, the Galaxy has nine players on its roster who have won an MLS Cup, while coaches Bruce Arena and Dave Sarachan have three MLS Cup apperances between them. And we're not even counting the experienced likes of Eddie Lewis, Gregg Berhalter and David Beckham, who has played 115 games or so for England and been in that World Cup thingie once or twice. He's not been in the MLS playoffs before though. So?

*And speaking of Beckham, England backs his withdrawal from its squad for a friendly this weekend because of the MLS playoffs. That's nice of them.

* Tickets, of course, to the game Friday are still on sale.

Finally, in college action Tuesday UCSB may have ended the season of the Cal State Northridge men (10-8-2) with a 1-0 win in the Big West Tournament..

The Matadors will learn whether their season is extended at 2:30 p.m. Monday on ESPNNews to see if they earn an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. UCSB advances to face UC Irvine at home in the tournament finals.

No wonder this man is smiling

LONDON (AP) -- David Beckham earned nearly $16.5 million from personal sponsorship deals during his first full season with the Galaxy.

The England midfielder's latest accounts show that his marketability was unaffected by his move from Real Madrid to the United States, where soccer is less popular.

Newly released figures from the official British company registry show that Beckham's income from his Footwork Productions company in the year ending Dec. 31, 2008, soared by 91 percent from the previous year.

The company's gross profit of $20 million, which rose about 15 percent, includes income from endorsements. That figure is believed to account for two-thirds of the 34-year-old Beckham's sponsorship income.

A separate company, Brand Beckham, receives his $5.5 million basic salary from the Galaxy, the share of the merchandising he generates for the MLS team and joint endorsements with his wife, Victoria, including their range of fragrances.

Beckham joined the Galaxy on a five-year contract in July 2007. Despite the non-renewal of sponsorship contracts with Gillette and Pepsi, his advisers at 19 Entertainment are confident of expanding his off-the-field portfolio.

As well as developing his own apparel range with Adidas, Beckham's management team is looking to secure up to six sponsors in various areas.

Beckham's global appeal is likely to be helped by a second five-month stay at AC Milan
beginning in January, which will boost his chances of going to a fourth consecutive World Cup with England.

Sorry for the short notice.

Here's the brief press release I got from the Galaxy just minutes ago:

Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena and midfielder David Beckham will go "Inside the Locker Room" with the Petros and Money Show on Fox Sports Radio on Wednesday evening. Beckham will be live with Petros and Money from 5-5:30 p.m., with Arena joining the hosts from 5:30-6 p.m. for a full hour of Galaxy coverage on the network.

Fox Sports Radio is available locally on AM 570 KLAC.

Supposedly he'll be back in mid-July 2010, after the World Cup concludes.

Beckham found time to take in the Lakers game Sunday after playing in one of his final appearances at the HDC before heading to Italy. Son, Brooklyn, looked unimpressed though. (AP Photo)

He'll join Milan Dec. 28 after the Galaxy's post-season tour and remain with the Italian club through the end of their season in May.

"After the wonderful experience of last season we are very happy to see David Beckham again wearing the red and black colors," said Adriano Galliani, Vice President and CEO of AC Milan. "We are confident his loan spell will not only improve Milan, it will help the player to take part in the World Cup in South Africa and continue to enhance his career in North America with the LA Galaxy. We would like to thank the Galaxy and MLS for their co-operation and understanding."

Here's Becks:

"I need to give myself the best chance possible to make the World Cup squad and playing for Milan on loan will help me to do that," Beckham said. "I genuinely enjoyed my time at Milan and I look forward to meeting the players and staff again. I'm thankful to Tim Leiweke and Bruce Arena for allowing me this opportunity. I'm committed to LA Galaxy and MLS in the long term and remain as passionate as ever about growing the game of soccer in America . I'm completely focused on ending this season on a high note with my club by winning the MLS Cup."

So another season of Beckham-era ticket prices then, but the team will be without Beckham for all but 11 games or so (which is what he managed this season).

Reporter Phil Collin, who was out at the Galaxy's practice this morning before Saturday's game against the San Jose Earthquakes, checks in with word that David Beckham left the field within the first hour with ice wrapped around a thigh.

Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena downplayed the apparent injury though saying "I think he's fine" before being asked whether this was a new injury.

"At his age those aren't new injuries," Arena said. "He's had that before. He's fine. Just being cautious."

Go figure.

Next for Beckham - the Nobel Prize.

Oh, and Becks says his loan deal to AC Milan is "95 percent done."

"It's 95 percent done so I don't know why it wouldn't happen now," Beckham was quoted as saying by AP. "It will be sorted out in the next month, and I will probably be going there at the end of December."

WEMBLEY, England (AP) -- David Beckham entered England's final World Cup qualifier in the 59th minute and still was selected man of the match.

"I just told him it was like Obama getting the Nobel Prize after eight months of being
president of the United States," England coach Fabio Capello said. "Beckham gets it after 30 minutes."

Peter Crouch scored twice, Beckham got an assist after entering as a second-half substitute and England completed World Cup qualifying with a 3-0 victory over Belarus on Wednesday night.

Crouch scored in the fourth and 76th minutes, and Shaun Wright-Phillips got a goal in the 59th minute off a short corner kick from Beckham.

The selection of man of the match was made by television commentator Steve Bruce, Beckham's former Manchester United teammate.

"I'm a little bit embarrassed," Beckham said.

With his 115th international appearance, Beckham moved within 10 of the English record held by retired goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

England (9-1), which clinched a World Cup berth last month, finished first in Group Six with 27 points, six ahead of second-place Ukraine (6-1-3), which goes to next month's European playoffs.

"Always it's important to win," Capello said. "We lost one game and it's important for me to learn more things about the players. I am happy for the second half and for the goals that we scored.

"There were some good things, some not so good. It's something the players know, but those ideas are for us. I'm not happy because we had to wait too many times to win back the ball. This is not the first time."

The English played their final qualifier without injured regulars Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. Substitute James Milner and Beckham both hit posts late in the match.

The AEG prez wants the futures of David Beckham and Landon Donovan decided in the next two weeks:

LONDON (AP) -- The Los Angeles Galaxy want David Beckham's expected loan to AC Milan to be completed in the next two weeks so the deal doesn't distract from the team's bid for the MLS Cup.

The English star has helped the Galaxy make the Major League Soccer playoffs for the first time in four years and the Nov. 22 final is within reach.

But he also wants to join a top European club in January leading to the World Cup to help him stay on the England team coached by Fabio Capello. Beckham is eager to return to Milan after a loan there earlier this year.

"We want to get it done, for him and for us and I don't want any confusion," Tim Leiweke,
chief executive of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy, said Thursday. "It's the same with Landon (Donovan). There is a lot of rumors of whether he is staying or going. We're going to clear that up in the next two weeks because we want the team to be focused."

Leiweke wants Beckham to return to the Galaxy after the 2010 World Cup despite the hostile reception from Galaxy fans when he returned in July after spending the first half of the year at Milan.

"I talk to David a lot and this year a lot more because I wanted to make sure he didn't get down and that it would work out," Leiweke said. "We have a deep appreciation of what he is doing over here with his national team. I wanted him to know that we will support him so we are going to lend him out."

Beckham is 11 appearances away from retired goalkeeper Peter Shilton's record 125. He could match the mark if England advances deep into the World Cup, which starts in June.

But with the final not until July 11, Beckham will miss the first three months of the MLS
season.

"We're not going to give him as much time off this time - he's going to have to earn his
keep," Leiweke cracked. "He will have a little time off. I admire what he is doing with the
caps. It's historical and legendary. We're honored to have a player of his magnitude playing at the World Cup. We're going to have four or five of them from the Galaxy at the World Cup and that is real progress for the league and team."

And Leiweke believes England - not the U.S. should get the World Cup in 2018. Bet Sunil Gulati is thanking Tim for that one:

LONDON (AP) -- England's 2018 World Cup bid received the backing Thursday of the CEO of the company that owns the Los Angeles Galaxy, despite the United States being of the one main competitors to host the tournament.

Tim Leiweke, president and chief executive officer of Anschutz Entertainment Group, said England's case to put on soccer's showpiece event for the first time since 1966 was clearly the best.

"I can't imagine a more passionate host," Leiweke said at the Leaders in Football conference. "England is a place where people care about football more than anywhere in the world. I've never seen passion for any sport like the passion you have for football here.

"FIFA should take a long, hard look at bringing the World Cup to England. Over the years, England have worked hard at their football infrastructure, they have fantastic stadia and deserve to get the World Cup."

After FIFA vice president Jack Warner - also the president of CONCACAF, of course - dismissed England's bid as "lightweight" Wednesday for not using star players, a host of foreign Premier League players were presented as bid ambassadors at the Leaders in Football conference.

A four-year wait could be over for the Galaxy this weekend.

The Galaxy will qualify for the playoffs for the first time since the MLS Cup-winning season of 2005 if they defeat the Fire and Chivas USA ties or wins at D.C. United.

How long ago is that?

That was a team that featured Naldo, Pablo Chinchilla and one-season wonder Herculez Gomez, scorer of 11 goals in 22 games. It was a team fabulous in its total mediocrity you'll recall; the Galaxy barely qualified for the playoffs with a 13-13-6 record and then improbably went on to win the MLS title when Pando Ramirez belatedly recognized what a goal net was and actually scored.

Among the worst things that ever happened to the Galaxy.

It meant Steve Sampson stuck around until mid-2006 and Alexi Lalas joined after GM Doug Hamilton died on a airplane coming back from a CONCACAF Champions Cup clash the following season.

And we know what happened from there.

Tonight is an opportunity for the Galaxy to put that unpleasant past behind them before a national television audience (8 p.m. ESPN2).

It won't be easy. The Fire can also clinch a post-season berth with a win (and if D.C. United fails to defeat Chivas USA).

Pulling for Chivas USA isn't the only thing the clubs have in common. There are all sorts of unusual similarities between the teams right down to home goal differential. Check out the statistical parallels here.

The Fire are the best road team in the league and have the aerial arsenal of veteran Brian McBride at their disposal after his return from injury.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Rolling Hills Estates' John Thorrington are out for the Fire, although David Beckham and A.J. DeLaGarza are expected to return for the Galaxy. Galaxy midfielder Dema Kovalenko faces a late fitness test; Stefani Miglioranzi is out.

There's more here.

Updated bonus quotes from reporter Phil Collin:

Here's Landon Donovan on the implications of the game:

"We realize that most likely if we win this game we're in the playoffs. We worked very hard this year at putting ourselves in this position and now we control our own destiny, which is great. And we have an opportunity in front of our fans to seal it.

"We have done a really good job starting with Bruce and then with our veteran guys of changing the way our team functions on a daily basis. That doesn't come down to one person or one coach or one player. That comes down to a lot of people stepping up to take responsibility and we've all done that. The teams that are successful in this league have those qualities."

Here's Coach Bruce Arena, on why there have been some topsy-turvy results lately:

"Tension is part of it and I also think as we've said all along there's a real fine line between all the teams that are just a step out of the playoffs. The teams that have played well lately are teams that have been at the bottom of the standings. Perhaps there's no pressure on them.

One last thing: Win or lose DeLagarza, Chris Birchall and Miss LA Galaxy will be at the newly-opened Chipotle in Hermosa Beach, 1439 Pacific Coast Highway, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Yum.

Updated: BTW, since we're reminiscing here, The Seattle Times has a profile of former Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid today. Check out the article here.

It appears David Beckham may well play Friday against Chicago at Home Depot Center after all.

He trained with the squad Tuesday and "upped" the pace in practice again today; no adverse effects I'm told and things are looking good for the crucial encounter that could see (depending on results Saturday) the Galaxy make the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Beckham, of course, missed the last Galaxy game with an Achilles issue and was on Monday officially listed by the club as "questionable" for the Fire game.

Incidentally, Chicago Fire midfielder John Thorrington of the Palos Verdes Peninsula is out of the game with a right groin strain, while Cuauhtemoc Blanco is listed as questionable.

Nationally televised on ESPN2: check.

Playoff implications on the line since the Galaxy can clinch their first playoff berth in four years with a win over the Chicago Fire on Friday night and a D.C. United loss to Chivas USA Saturday: check.

David Beckham returning from what was initially dismissed as a 50-50, long-standing Achilles tendon issue: Maybe not.

The midfielder could miss his second game in a row at a crucial time of the season after being one of five players listed as questionable in today's Galaxy injury report ahead of Friday's game.

The complete list:

OUT - Alecko Eskandarian (Head - Disabled List), Julian Valentin (Right Foot - Disabled List)

DOUBTFUL - None

QUESTIONABLE - David Beckham (Right Ankle - Inflammation), A.J. DeLaGarza (Left Knee - Bruise), Dema Kovalenko (Right Achilles - Tendonitis), Eddie Lewis (Left Ankle - Sprain), Stefani Miglioranzi (Left Groin - Strain)

PROBABLE - None

You've got to feel for Eskandarian: his injury is not broken nose or concussion symptoms - it's just "head."

Ouch.

The tight MLS playoff race

The Galaxy meet the Columbus Crew at 4:30 p.m. today and there are four viewing parties locally.

There's no David Beckham.

Chivas USA faces a must-win game against the hapless Red Bulls at 7:30 p.m. at Home Depot Center (or on Fox Soccer Channel).

Injuries and more injuries are the story of this one so far.

Key fact: New York are the only MLS team not to have won on the road this season.

I'll blog from the game, so join me then.

Coach Bruce Arena told reporters in Columbus today that despite the injury being a 50:50 thing, the club would leave David Beckham in L.A. as a precaution with what's described as an achilles tendon issue. He's likely to only miss the one game, although it's a big one at this stage of the season - the Crew are tied for the top spot in MLS with Houston, with the Galaxy lurking just two points behind.

BTW, full back A.J. DeLaGarza, who missed the last game with a bone bruise on his knee, did make the road trip and could feature in Saturday's game.

Maybe, according to this report.

Guess we'll find out Friday.

And right after Beckham perhaps played the best game of his Galaxy career, too.

LONDON (AP) -- England coach Fabio Capello has given a strong indication that Galaxy midfielder David Beckham will make it to a fourth World Cup, hailing the former captain's ability to bring the squad together.

The 34-year-old Beckham made his 114th international appearance as England routed Croatia 5-1 on Wednesday to qualify for next year's tournament with two games to spare. Beckham is 11 games shy of the English record for appearances, held by goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

"He is always with us because for me he is one of the most important players," Capello said Thursday. "He is good in the group. He is good in every moment during the training. Some players are important for the position and morale of the group."

But to make Capello's cut, Beckham will have to leave the Galaxy in January to rejoin AC Milan or find another top European club. Capello said Beckham must stay fit during MLS's offseason.

If Beckham avoids injury or a deterioration in form, he could take Shaun Wright-Phillips'
place on the 23-man roster. Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon are Capello's speedy options on the right flank, but Beckham provides a different threat with precision crosses and free kicks.

Having been left out of Italy's squad for the 1978 World Cup, Capello knows the pain of
missing out on a major tournament.

"I played the qualification for the Argentina World Cup, but I didn't go to Argentina," he
recalled. "I wasn't injured. I just wasn't good enough, and I heard on TV that I was not in
the squad."

While English players speak of fearing Capello, the man himself tries to dispel the image. He doesn't even mind players complaining to him about why they aren't being selected.

"My door is always open," Capello said. "Three players asked me why I didn't play them during this year, I explained why. I respect the players. The players respect me. This is very important."

Capello, who took over from Steve McClaren after the failed Euro 2008 qualification campaign, has nine months to prepare England, seeking its first major title since the 1966 World Cup.

There are two more Group Six matches to play, against Ukraine and Belarus. Then there are likely to be four exhibitions, including a Nov. 14 match against Brazil in Qatar.

"It's important to play Brazil because we will understand what we have to do if we play
against a team like Brazil or Spain," Capello said. "We have arrived at a good level. We
played very well against Croatia. But we have to improve and be better at some moments, some movement with the ball and without the ball."

Briefly:

*See the previous post for the full lineup of today's games and their implications.

*The U.S.-Trinidad & Tobago game kicks off at 4:11 p.m. Pacific on ESPN Classic with a 30-minute pre-game show preceding it. Game preview.

*Meanwhile, here's a column bemoaning the celebrity of David Beckham and its effect on England. Galaxy fans know all about that, but that isn't stopping clubs lining up for his services after the MLS season is done..

*Finally, the Cal State Dominguez Hills men and women opened their CCAA seasons Tuesday night.