NY Red Bulls 5 - 4 LA Galaxy
Update - David Beckham has arrived at Heathrow airport in London, photo in the gallery. Unfortunately the caption says that he was walking with a 'pronounced limp'. We should hear more about his injury status tomorrow. Also I've added the new Intimately Beckham Ad to the gallery thanks to Megan for sharing it.
You can watch David Beckham's assists and his post match interview above.
Photos from the game are in the gallery.
LA Galaxy were narrowly defeated in an epic played out in front of a MLS record crowd of 66,000 who were on the edge of their seats through out. David Beckham started and went the full 90+ minutes at Giants stadium tonight. He showed that he is a giant among men, with his injured left ankle still heavily bandaged and lacking match fitness he played with heart, courage and determination. With three assists and as the creator of the majority of the Galaxy's attacking opportunities he kept the Galaxy in the game but the NY side were the better team and snatched the victory in the end. Although it was only captain Beckham's second start and his first full game in over 8 weeks he has already had a transformational effect on the Galaxy who bear little resemblance to the team that lost to the New England Revolution.
The best is of course yet to come. Once David Beckham is fully fit and the team has an opportunity to gel they will be a stronger side for it! There is a match summary online here and you can view the match play-by-play tracker here. Also 'Beckham sets up three in Galaxy's loss to Red Bulls' from Reuters and a match summary at ESPN.
At the end of the match Becks, although very tired, went over to the stands to greet fans, he applauded the four corners of the field as he always does and gave his shirt to a little girl. More details from the night are on northjersey.com
Press - here are a few more articles, 'Beckham big in the Big Apple' from The Times, '66,000 reasons why Beckham matters to MLS' from Yahoo, 'Beckham alights on planet earth' from The New York Times and 'Becks caught up in Bulls rush' from New York AM this includes a video clip of Becks training on Friday and of his team-mates Cobi Jones and Landon Donovan speaking about him.
David Beckham's Post match comments
You can watch David Beckham's complete post-game Presser here.On the game: - "It was very different. I haven't been involved in a game like that since I was nine or 10 years old where there were so many goals and the change of play changes so much in 90 minutes. But it was a great game and great for the people who turned up tonight. You see the stadium and you see the fans, it's pretty incredible and it's great for the league and great for both teams to play in an atmosphere like that. We're disappointed because I think we played pretty well in the game and we created enough chances to win the game. Congratulations to Red Bull, I think both teams made it exciting for all the people who paid their money, but we're disappointed to go home without points."
On his ankle after playing 90 minutes on the artificial turf: - "I was surprised to actually play 90 minutes. The manager and the coaching staff kept asking me if I wanted to come off. But I'm quite a stubborn person on and off the field. When we were winning I didn't want to come off and when we were losing I didn't want to come off. I think my stubbornness took over and I didn't want to come off the pitch. It was such a great atmosphere and I was enjoying the game, with so many goals on both ends, I didn't want to come off. My ankle took a pounding obviously, I'm not used to this surface but it wasn't bad. It played quite well tonight. There were a couple instances where I rolled over on my ankle but at the end of the day we have to play on this surface. My ankle is more swollen than it was before the game but I'm sure it'll be fine for the game on Wednesday."
On the recent play of the Galaxy: - "I think it's about confidence. When new players come to the team, it can go one way or the other and it's gone the way I hoped it would. I think tonight we're a little disappointed because we lost the game but there's a lot we can take from the game because we showed a lot of character tonight. To go one-nil down, then 2-1 up, then 2-2 and down 4-2, then come back, it's a learning curve. Sometimes you've just got to accept that you're only going to get a point tonight, but we've got the mentality that we want more and I don't see that as a bad thing I see it as a good thing. It might be bad when you don't end up with a point but on the other side we've got a team that wants to win and that's a positive."
On playing for England this week: - "Only time will tell. I have to see how it is tomorrow. I'm traveling tomorrow morning to London to meet up with the team and I'd like to play some part in the game on Wednesday and then flying back, hopefully get some rest and play some part in the Chivas game. I think it's important for me to get back and be at the game and hopefully play some part in the game."
Read more comments from David Beckham and his team-mates online here.
The official LA Galaxy site have added a clip of David Beckham talking to the press last Tuesday after his first training session with the team you can watch it here. Becks talks about how Victoria and his sons are settling in, it's a really nice clip.
posted by rpm at 12:01 AM
33 Comments:
couldn't have done a better summary that you just did Anna :)
+ one thing I want to add
the LA Galaxy Away Unifroms are absolutley awesome !
Don't loose hope just yet.
btw Anna, thanks for my new wallpaper
http://davidbeckham.fans-online.com/photos/today/fullj_getty-76099466mh014_los_angeles_g.jpg.html
Ben
8:02 PM
yeah, good things are to come with this team when everyone is fit. there is lots of potential and i look for them to surprise a lot of folks.
yes, i need to chime in on the uniforms, the away ones really are hot.
8:18 PM
great game pity about the result! Poor Becks he looks totally gutted in the ssideline interview. I though the worse thing is knowing that LA missed some good chances and NY did not. I mean how Gordon missed the goal and didn't even make the keeper work after Donovan passed the ball to him just before he was subbed off... we'll never know... Donovan gave him a long look and I don't blame him!
I just hope the ankle is still ok and that hes not going to have set back his full recovery to much.
Thanks for pics! :-)
8:57 PM
We just returned from the match. It was a wonderful night for new fans, and "amazing" for us to see Becks play live again, rather than on the small screen...its been way too long! He just lights up the pitch, thrilled we had the chance to go.
Anna, and everyone else's, analysis were exactly right. (Thank GOODNESS I was spared the Fox guys...I sometimes turn the sound off!) The atmosphere was amazing, and everything said here about Becks' impact on the rest of the team was stunning to observe -- he's a great leader, and continued to instruct and build confidence throughout.
From seeing the whole pitch, I can say that it wasn't only amazing he was able to play the whole 90+, but that it was one of his cover every blade of grass efforts! I think he visited just about every position at one point or another ;-) never stepping on anyone's toes.
I can also say that I was very concerned about the ankle, especially after the early set of idiotic, and dangerously low challenges--one of which gave him quite a knock (it should have been a yellow, and I've seen less given a red from a fussy ref). Becks was a split second away from a brawl, and don't know whether you could see how angry he was at the ref for some time after. But he carried on like a sport.
Hoping we don't hear worse ankle news in the morning. I'm off to review the entire thing in my mind once more!!!
10:13 PM
So happy you had a good time Anutie D. You are lucky to have been there it was a fabulous game to see live I'm sure and hopefully more people will keep going to the NY games now :)
10:42 PM
Thanks Anna, I'm still buzzing, as you can see! The fans certainly had a great time...there were still bbq parties with kids playing football in the huge parking lots when we left! I felt bad for Becks, who worked beyond the imaginable once more, and for the Galaxy players who have improved so quickly (except for the defense, yikes!). But in terms of moving NYC one step closer to being a soccer town -- that thriller of a game, finally being won by the home team, was a big step.
We took a bunch of kids, all fans of European or South American clubs, and they were all on the edge of their seats. Becks, Donovan and Cannon were apparently the only ones up to their standard on the Galaxy, even though I think others are moving in the right direction. And they all now thinks that Becks walks on water. But they are still going over the fine points -- which is a big first for an MLS match around here...the Beckham Effect At Work In America!
11:21 PM
I hope his ankle is ok =( I sooo wish this England game wasn't now cos flying might make it worse and trying to play for england and then against Chivas the next day and when hes still not 100% This all just seem crazy to me. I'll say a prayer for him!
11:42 PM
The LA Galaxy website sucks. There poll is screwed up btw the more people that vote for Becks the more votes that show up for Donovan. The site is a joke things don't even work properly thanks for this one!
11:54 PM
Also we are not resolutions to see the game, I have followed your comments, and have understood that David and companions have played with the heart and much passion. The game and the victory will be in the time always better. We admire the passion that it puts in the game, this ago an exemplary professional. Thanks for the clip. We hope that the ankle not to give to annoyance .GOOD Sunday TO ALL! Loredana, Samuele, Gabriel
12:17 AM
can you imagine score if no beck take out and la losing 5-1 he still need more better players on team to finish yes
1:33 AM
Becks was awesome in the first half but was looking really tired and obviously hurt in the second you could see him limping! What is with Yallop? Any manager worth a damn would have subbed him, you don't ask him if he wants to come off, Capello doesn't ask, Fergie doesn't ask, you make the sub the player is crocked and the tank is empty you make the sub.
2:18 AM
What a heartbreaker and by the looks of it that last goal was an own goal? Whoever said they wished the England game wasn't right now... I'm with you the timing is most unfortunate as much as I'm an England fan and want to see David play I just think this is all a bit much. I've got everything crossed that he continues to recover and isn't going to make himself worse and end up having to miss more games.
I envy you getting to see the game live Diane it must have been wonderful :-)
4:26 AM
diane, thanks for sharing. i'm glad you had such a wonderful time. i have to agree and say cannon really worked yesterday. they kept him busy all game.
always nice seeing clips again, thanks anna. it also never gets old hearing what other professionals are saying about david. the quotes were a good read.
this ankle needs to heel already, so we can all watch in peace. david is living the, "what not to do with a bad ankle" life fingers crossed he'll continue to improve with no major setbacks. since his schedule isn't improving and he wants to play, all i can do is cross the fingers. it was easier to watch him play last night than the first game.
5:25 AM
according to the news of the world al qaida have a plot to kill Beckham!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!
5:54 AM
aaron the News of the World had an exclusive article that a double decker bus had been found on the moon, so I really wouldn't worry too much about things you see in that tabloid! No other papers are reporting this so that's usually a sign that Interpol have not been called in on this one!
8:21 AM
why do you think he hit the wall 4 times from his freekicks was it the turf??
8:58 AM
The LA Galaxy website sucks. There poll is screwed up btw the more people that vote for Becks the more votes that show up for Donovan. The site is a joke things don't even work properly thanks for this one!
You are absolutely right man!! Can you seriously tell the majority voted Donovan as the man of the man instead of David Beckham?!
9:07 AM
Those free kicks were all in the second half when we couldn't believe he was even walking. So he can't have been able to plant his left foot as hard as he usually does to strike with his signature force, so he didn't get the loft he usually does. And certainly the turf would have been a factor in whether he could have otherwise adjusted a bit to compensate.
To the end of the match it was astounding to see how much ground Becks was covering--only showing the exhaustion when he paused. He was anywhere on the pitch there was real danger in case he had to help out. He certainly has a deep well.
But you could also tell how focused he was on supporting and encouraging his teammates in their roles. At this point he looks like a player/coach as much as a captain, and it is clearly paying off in team confidence and endeavor.
I'll give my post-match "coverage" a rest now ;-) and just say that the local papers are in Beckham/MLS/Soccer/Red Bull heaven!
9:30 AM
yeah he's not able to get under the ball like he would on grass. that is what i surmised. i think in time, with more games on the turf he'll get comfortable. but, i certainly thought the turf had to do with the freekicks yesterday.
9:31 AM
I took the link to the poll on the LA Galaxy site down when I read the comment someone left about it being screwed up. I hope they fix it so people can vote.
Diane your post match coverage is very welcome cover away. I'm glad the local papers are giving the game good press and lots of sttention, it all helps the cause. I think the only NY paper I've seen is The Times and they said nice things :)
10:44 AM
Is it just me or is that woman commentator on ESPN in the clip got the most. annoying. voice. ever!
12:18 PM
lol her voice is ok but I don't think she knows what to say so shes just saying whatever comes into her head and that aint much! Thanks for the vid especially the Becks interview!
4:33 PM
uh oh =( dont like the sound of that limp fingers crossed
8:14 PM
Thanks for all the videos, Anna.
And the articles are all very nice.
As you said, it's nice to see more low profile and local newspapers saying good things about him.
Surely when Becks will be completely fit he will have more and more nice things coming from the US press.
They just need to have patience. Patience is a friend, not enemy.
Just hope the 90 minutes that he played does not make his injury worse. :-/
And thanks for not believing in NOTW, Anna.
It gives a lot of credit and respect to this website. :-)
8:36 PM
Forgot to say about one more thing.
Apparently MLS has a magazine and Becks seems to be on the cover of the latest issue, I think.
Don't know what has inside it, though.
Here's the website:
http://www.mlsmag.net/
8:47 PM
Thanx for the coverage, Diane..I'm sure it was superb watching the games from the stands..and even better, you have more games to go to still!
Also thanx Anna for the articles/clips on the match..LOL feels like I didn't miss the match afterall =)
Let's pray the ankle doesn't get worse..it's a taxing schedule ahead.
9:24 PM
I agree, he should have been subbed, but great game, now positive thoughts on England, and a healthy Beckham
Marie
11:29 PM
Thanks Siniestro I saw that Becks was on the cover but it's an old pic. I'm not sure how good the magazine is, it seems to be the first issue and it's not an official MLS publication so I really don't know if it's any good :) Has anyone actually seen the magazine and the article? If so what did you think of it? :)
1:52 AM
Can I just ask why people booed him!?! That is bad :0(
He played!!
6:31 AM
Thanks Catherine, and I'm with you on the ankle! I hate to have gotten so cynical, but because of the Galaxy's secrecy regarding Beckham's health and treatment, I have an irrational sense of relief that with England he will finally get proper medical attention. Even with the risks of flying, and even though I'm sure the Galaxy medical staff did everything possible despite the front office's behavior. As I said not so rational ;-) !
But doesn't the photo of Becks and Owen running together put a smile on everyone's face!?
All hopes for a positive medical report later...
8:31 AM
anonymous - it is just a standard practice that the fans of the home team boo the away team and try to put the away team players off and give their own team an advantage. There was nothing unkind or negative in the booing on Saturday it was part of the atmosphere and ocassion and it would not have bothered Becks in the least in fact he would think that is what the crowd should be doing when he is playing away from LA - it's not personal at all. The booing when he didn't play was a little negative and meant to show dissatisfaction with something outside of his control so it was frustrating but that was completely different, hope that clears that up - it really wasn't bad :) It was just New Yorkers supporting New York :)
8:38 AM
Anna, as far as I know, this MLS Magazine/Fanzine is licensed by the MLS.
I think is legit and it can be called the "official" MLS Magazine.
At MLS website you can find an ad about it. That's how I found out about the magazine.
It's only the first issue, they are just starting. So, it will become better, according to the Big Soccer Forum.
Apparently they wrote FC Toronto instead of Toronto FC on the cover and it got their fans fuming.
I looked at the Big Soccer Forum and they said it's a nice reading and it seems to be a serious magazine.
But I don't know what they wrote about Becks. :-/
I just know the new Intimately Beckham Ad is inside the magazine. :DDDDDDDDDD
Anyway,I just thought about saying it over here because it's a football related magazine and it's nice to see him on the cover of football mags. Even if is an old picture from the Adidas ad.
9:53 PM
Siniestro I saw the ad on the official site too but when I went to the mags site I really didn't think it's official as at the bottom of the page it says company behind this etc anyway just for you I'll track it down:)
12:17 AM
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