LA Galaxy 0 - 3 Chivas USA
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You can watch ESPN highlights including Jesse Marsch's dirty foul on David Beckham that should have received a straight red card above.
First of the photos from the game are in the gallery. Thanks to Tanique33!
David Beckham is a wounded warrior after playing another 90+ minutes in the LA Galaxy's loss to Chivas USA. He played with tremendous heart as always and although he put in some great crosses his team-mates were unable to convert. Coach Yallop used up all of the subs and with more than 20 minutes to go Becks, who was running on sheer willpower, hit the wall. He was barely able to walk and couldn't take the LA Galaxy's last corner. He still saluted the fans before he left the field. Let's send some positive thoughts and energy for his recovery his way. You can read a match recap online here.
Post-match comments
David Beckham did not speak with the press after the game. Here are comments from LA Galaxy Manager Frank Yallop and team-mate Landon Donovan -Galaxy coach Frank Yallop said, "It wasn't the intention to play him at all but he came in and said that he felt okay... And obviously with our situation in the league we need points."
"I didn't want to leave him on but in the end, at 2-0, he tried and all it needed was maybe one set piece or one bit of magic by David.
"Right at the end he looked hobbled... I used him tonight and I shouldn't have done that. I don't like to put players like David in jeopardy of getting injured, and that wasn't the intention."
Landon Donovan, who had also returned from playing 60 minutes for the USA in a Friendly against Sweden in Europe, entered the match against Chivas USA in the 59th minute as a substitute. He said, "I was exhausted. I'm sure David was too... Obviously, he wasn't the sharpest he's ever been because of all the traveling and the game last night. You could tell at the end he could barely move, but we don't have many options."
Yallop, in a departure from the usual vague responses told the media he couldn't envision David Beckham playing in the LA Galaxy's next match this Sunday in Colorado.
The award for the worst timing goes too..
Alexei Lalas. The LA Galaxy GM has expressed his concerns about David Beckham's schedule for club and country. He told The BBC, "I'm not going to deny there comes a point when your body can't do it anymore... If at any point we felt it was detrimental to his health or ability to help our team we would take action." He elaborated, "We have a vested interest in this player and we have spent a tremendous amount of money to retain his services. We want to make sure we get our money's worth and that he is healthy and both physically and mentally ready to go when he plays for the Galaxy."Where was Alexi's concern for David Beckham's health yesterday? Surely considering soccer is a team sport Alexi Lalas would be better off turning his attention to finding David Beckham a team to play with, the LA Galaxy doesn't appear to have one at the moment. Also, just for the record Mr Lalas, David Beckham is generating a tremendous amount of money for LA Galaxy, AEG and all MLS franchises. In fact his commercial value is generating more revenue than all the franchises combined were making before he arrived. He is paying for himself and a great deal besides. He has already generated more publicity for the club and league than it is has ever received before. The only thing Mr Lalas needs to say is thank you.
There is an article on ESPN that raises some of the many questions Mr Lalas might be better off dwelling on.
posted by rpm at 11:27 AM
36 Comments:
I think he'll play and I hope he kicks butt when he does!! Go Becks!!
12:49 PM
well if he plays for more 10 minutes considering he'll still have lactic acid build up, plus dehydration and some tiredness then it will officially be time for him to start wearing his undies on the outside of his jeans :-s Thanks for the pics Tanique33
1:59 PM
lol Pru he is Superbecks! I was kind of hoping that at the end of today he would at least get a bit of a break but of course after tonights game there is only 2 day break until the next game as they play again on Sunday.
2:09 PM
Off topic here, but I'm curious to see the fan turnout tonight. It's hard enough to get around anywhere in L.A. during rush hour traffic, let alone Carson.
It might be until 8pm before people start filling the seats, just like Laker and Dodger games. People just can't get there in time after work. Weekend games are always fine, but weekday games there are a nightmare.
We'll see.
2:51 PM
yeah, we can't judge him by mere mortals standards. it always makes me laugh a bit, when he reponds in his usual positive way, about the injury, while the rest of the world worries.
fingers crossed for him and the team tonight, and for myself that the game is an interesting one.
2:53 PM
Just saw shots on the TV from LA..Beckham is on the field..all suited up..ready to play...amazing...man
6:59 PM
Thanks for the link!
7:27 PM
Million thanx for the link! It's so clear and I'm watching it LIVE =D
GOOOOO BECKS!
7:50 PM
the ref is a joke! unbelievable he makes spanish refs look like freaking einstein.
7:59 PM
an absolutely MISERABLE showing from the galaxy. i don't have a kind word in me, and i want those 2 hours back.
to top it off, it ends with becks limping heavily. NO WORDS, so i won't search for any.
the bright spot was galindo. he was entertaining. and the fight before the half was as exciting as it got.
i'm just shaking my head.
9:01 PM
Seeing Becks suffering at the end of the match was not nice at all. :-/
This is not normal, a footballer needs at least 48 hours to rest between matches.
Hopefully his injury won't get worse.
I love his motivation to play every game, though.
For the one talking about referees...no one beats the ones from Spain. No one. :-/
9:21 PM
I do agree.
That was the most disappointing thing i have ever seen with them. the fight was pretty hott, seeing david get all fired up. But the sad thing is he looked hurt real bad. Im just hoping the team gets back their energy and confidence. because tonights game was a total mess.
9:30 PM
Anne thank because they have succeeded to see match (the vision is much good one). Sad me that the Galaxy always loses, but above all they are sad to see the face of suffering David, I hope that to leave he to rest, because it can be more useful. As always it plays with the heart, but he was clearly that in last part of game he was not more in a position to being in the field. My GOD the defense where is? The fans of he they must be many proud of David .CIAO and thanks for all. Loredana Samuele, Gabriel
9:33 PM
I didn't dream he'd play the 90 to be honest. That was cruel. People will say he wants to play, he does, no doubt no one who has followed his career would say otherwise but teams have Managers and they are supposed to manage.
They are supposed to manage tactics, strategy , personnel not just for the short-term but for the season. Players are supposed to want to play, they are supposed to have the kind of passion, committment and heart that David Beckham has, they are supposed to be warriors, competitiors, they are supposed to give 110+% and leave their heart on the field every match. They are supposed to try and leap higher and they are supposed to try and run faster, they are supposed to say, 'coach I think I've got something more in me', they are supposed to say 'let me just try again', 'let me just see if I can do it'. We write books about it, we make movies about it, they are supposed to make us stand and cheer, make us think that maybe if they can do what they can do, we can dig deep and find a way to go the extra mile in our own lives.
But a Manager is meant to manage he takes that warrior, that soldier and he doesn't let them bury themself, he doesn't let them play until they can't walk. In expecting the player to know to give up we ask the player to go against the very essence of what makes him great. We ask for a split personality, we ask for the man that will try when others would give up, we applaud his persistence, his class the fact he puts his head down and works tirlessly to overcome adversity and obstacles in his life.
I can't do it isn't in David Beckham's vocab and that is why Managers must manage.
9:43 PM
Sorry for the rant I'm just so pissed. Oh and they were crap.
My match report: David Beckham tried, Cannon was great everyone else sucked the big suck like its never been sucked before.
9:52 PM
i hear and respect what you're saying anna. i agree manager's need to manage. i think i'm used to it, in some respects. i've seen it my whole life where the player wants to stay in and the coach/manager let's him.
i think it's easier said than done, when a player tells you he wants to be out there, to just say no. again, watching sports my whole life, and watching all sports, i'm not sure how realistic it is. i've watched the best say leave me in.
now, it's not to say the manager has no responsibility. because they do. i guess it's about drawing lines. some people are saying he shouldn't have played at all, some are saying he shouldn't have played the full game. i fall in the latter catergory. i'm shocked he played the full game, and disappointed. so, in that respect i agree the manager has to step up then. he's disappointed me throughout the whole ordeal.
but, when people say he shouldn't be out there at all, that is where it gets tricky. where do you draw the line? but if your argument stops at how long he was out there tonight, there are no arguments here. yallop needed to step up, and he didn't, yet again.
either way, good post there anna.
10:03 PM
ps, no apologies necessary. anyone who watched the game i'm sure was pissed for a myriad of reasons.
10:04 PM
He can't say "I can't" under normal circumstances, and now the only way he knows how to respond to the whirl of pressures would be to play, exactly as Anna described, until he's sat down. I was giving Yallop the benefit, because I didn't know who was calling the shots. But this is such horrible management at every level...I am completely in shock.
Hello Loradena, Samuele and Gabriel. Sadly, we are both asking the same exact question: where is the defense? If for no other reason than if Becks hadn't been back and forth covering so much he might at least still have been able to walk by the end of the match!
>!! With everything Becks did to join his team tonight, you would think that would have been enough inspiration to light a spark in his teammates -- even if he only had the energy to play and not also personally drag a game out of each of them!!
I'm sorry if I am being too hard on the rest of the team -- I know they have had a complicated season, and not many players have Becks' focus or the experiences that have given him his mental toughness, but still...terrible! I can only repeat what Anna has already said.
10:27 PM
Gosh..I missed the last 10mins of the match because I had work to do and it's just so sad to hear your comments abt how exhausted Becks was and couldn't even take the last corner...my heart goes out to him :(
Also that is one nasty, nasty foul..that guy deserves a straight red and 3 match-ban! Its such a shame that the rest of Galaxy players just couldn't be motivated enough..there were huge gaps in the back, did they honestly think Becks can do it alone? Winning needs teamwork and contribution from each player and though Becks has all the passion, the responsibility is just too heavy for one shoulder alone. I am frustrated and disappointed at their display tonite.
And I just feel so bad for Becks..I just hope he will know to take the long due rest and not just go on playing because of commitments, pressure, and no wanting to disappoint fans. Too extreme and he risk burning out. *sigh
12:09 AM
Hello to all. We hope of having positive news on David.A it leave the sadness that it will have for cause of the physical pain, will be still sadder for like plays the team. Force David today more than
before!!! Loredana, Samuele, Gabriel.
2:17 AM
ok, comments after the fact from yallop serve no purpose. that is what gets me going.
i've felt from the beginning that if they said, "david wants to play" they were absolving themselves. so, if he hurt himself, they can say "he said he was good to go."
"I don't like to put players like David in jeopardy of getting injured, and that wasn't the intention." that sounds like the biggest crock ever. he's injured, and anytime he is on the pitch it's been a roll of the dice. if i know that, why wouldnt' the manager? he wanted points for his team, to hell with superman's condition.
if david hadn't hobbled off the field, or if they'd won, he wouldnt' be apologetic at all. he needs to just not talk for awhile.
i didn't expect to be pissed off this morning. but yallop's empty comments got me. i dont mind that david played, but the amount of time he played was unacceptable, as were yallop's comments.
5:18 AM
oh dear :-( is there any word on his injury and how long he will need to recover... It's good that they aren't going to play him this weekend but it's also scary as it makes me wonder how badly he has hurt himself with these Managers who think nothing of running him into the ground. Poor Becks hope hes ok :-(
7:11 AM
Yallop and Lalas, needs to learn that "he wants to play" does not necessarily mean he has to, I am still mad about Lalas comments today on BBC when he said that they are trying to get what they paid for and that they are thinking of pulling Beckham out of international friendlies (I think FIFA has something to say about that)(and I think Beckham has more than paid for himself.) I think Lalas has to take care of Beckham's injury and rest period locally and Beckham's playing time on the league matches before trying to remove something that Beckham explicitly states that he wants to do and what he was promise that he could do. Beckham still has to play 22 matches in 12 weeks,it would be tough for him, he had experienced it before in the Premiership with the Champions League, the Premier League and the FA Cup and World Cup but of course without the trip around the world. and I still think that if they had just rested that ankle on the first few weeks, then the fitness problem would not have been that big. Lalas should listen to his journalist brother. Sorry for the ranting---hope Beckham gets a rest now.
Marie
7:19 AM
Excuse me but Yallop needs to grow a set! He's the manager he picks the team. Simple. How can he now say well I didn't what to play Beckham...well then Frankie baby don'tpick him! Pick the team and then own your decision. I hope both Lalas and Yallop are sacked soon and McClaren too for that matter. Poor Becks talk about a ship of fools.
7:31 AM
I agree,,,whether he wans to play and the smartest thing for him may be 2 different things..He needs not to travel to Colorado he needs to rest. I like Becks as much as the next person...and I dont want to see hom playing this weekend..maybe next week..I think thye are home for a few games...Let me tell you..not many of us here in the US think Lalas..has very many brains..I am sure the front office at Galaxy will change soon...they will wait till after the season...but we didnt like Lalas when he was in NY..he really is not very bright..
8:25 AM
FFS I just read the ESPN article and Yallop says he felt sorry for our lad Becks and admits that the lad was dizzy in the first half. So the lad has to have told him that and hes the Manager and he left him on for 90? What would it take to get subbed? Rigamortis to set in? Seriously Yallop has to be sacked. It's a effing disgrace its bloody criminal. This sh*t has to stop.
As for Lalas hes a clown. He loves the sound of his own voice. Twat.
11:51 AM
Its small comfort that U.S. fans are finally starting to see who Becks is and are REALLY angry at the Galaxy, and also MLS, this morning. FINALLY. I can't blame them as the publicity the Galaxy put out did nothing to back David up and, in fact, pointed an ugly finger at him. At least another group of fans now sees through management's behavior. It should NEVER have taken what he's gone through, but again, that's down to the club's P.R. dept! Grrr.
Lalas: I'm so angry and disgusted, I'm having Calderon flashbacks!!! LOTS of Galaxy fans calling for his dismissal (and head)...
But, really, all I care is that Becks' ankle is ok, I don't care when, where or how long it takes...except that if a non-match like last night keeps him from returning to the England squad...well I guess I've truly become incoherent! Probably best if I stop fuming at least until there's more injury info.
Thanks for keeping us informed Anna, and for expressing at least my own feelings better than I can at the moment!
12:12 PM
anna, you must have read my mind earlier. when i first read what lalas said, my first thought was, "why dont you put this much energy in to surrounding david with a better team."
he really just comes off like an absolute ass. i think it is SO unfair to david, and to any player when you continue to talk about these things in the media. i cant imagine how it wouldnt' breed a little resentment. it's SO unprofessional. "we have to make sure we get our money's worth" might be the worst thing i've heard him say to date. i'm offended for david.
let me stop here. anna, you must stop posting these quotes. lol. the galaxy are not good for one's blood pressure.
12:51 PM
i was just wondering if theres any word on his injury i'm going to the game on Sunday but the words seems to be he wont play but will he show up at least ??
12:59 PM
becks' teams will improve soon! i love you!
2:19 PM
It's just been confirmed that Beckham will not play any part in Galaxy's match on Sunday against the Colorado Rapids because of his ankle injury. He won't even be traveling with the team. (Source:
http://www.9news.com/news/top-article.aspx?storyid=76071)
I have tickets to that game, and I am completely devastated about the news and more upset about the fact that Beckham has not been allowed to recover properly from his injury. Hopefully now they do give him the time he needs to recuperate completely, and maybe I will be luckier when the next opportunity to see him play in person comes up.
4:14 PM
I feel for your Crystal, but he will be in US for five years and hopefully you will be able to see him many times.
The most important is the injury. He needs to be fully recovered.
I never forget when he said he needed at least 10 days to recover and then he played the same week he said it.
If he keeps on playing, he won't be completely recovered. He needs days to rest and to recover.
And hopefully this thing of playing full 90 minutes on Wednesday and Thursday will never happen again.
What annoys me a lot is the fact that Landon Donovan didn't played all the match. By the way, I think he only came on because Galaxy wasn't playing well at all.
Why Becks wasn't given a rest, just like Donovan? :-/
I have nothing against Donovan, I think he's a nice and cute (hehe) lad. But didn't like the fact both players were kind of treated in different ways.
I know the match against Chivas USA always is very important because it is a local derby, but the healthy of the players always comes first.
Anna, did you saw what Martin Rogers wrote?
It's kind of what you said about LA Galaxy management and Beckham's natural desire of always play.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news;_ylt=AlcVZQlLBOt0wOziDcjbQIKkvrYF?slug=ro-beckham082407&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
9:55 PM
I was at the game and I honestly felt bad for Beckham. Yallop said that he left Beckham in because he said he wanted to be out there.
Serious? That's the best you got, Frank???
Any player worth his sweat will tell you he wants to be out there. If a player told me he was tired and wanted to come out of the game, I would question his competetive nature. Everyone in the stadium who's ever attended a sporting event knew that David Beckham was done shortly after the start of the second half. He should have come off at halftime. The fact that Yallop left him out there makes me question his decision making ability. The fact that he would leave that decision for a player to make gives me pause. Just poor management skills.
12:05 AM
Just wanted to add that as poor as Yallop is and even though he risked Becks out of desperation to save his own skin which is effen disgraceful... let's not lose sight in all of this that McClown played him for 93 minutes when hes not 100% ready and it was effen friendly. I just don't want McClaowns part in this forgotten just because the lad didn't look as bad at the end of that game. McClown knew the schedule, he gave a big one finger salute to the LA Galaxy and showed as we'd expect a total lack of consideration for what was best for the lad. Just wanted to say that...
1:21 AM
Syd, McClown is such an ass...and it drives me nuts that he just smiles that idiotic smile through it all! It was so insane for him to say that all Becks' ankle needs to mend is more playing time, that I actually asked some coach friends if they had ever heard of the such a thing for a sprain (let alone torn ligaments)...obviously, as a coach yourself, you know their answer...rest.
With McClown EVERYTHING is simply a power play: with players, club managers ... anyone, no matter the cost even to the success of his own squad (he made THAT clear enough straight off, didn't he!). Hmmmmph.
9:34 AM
Sorry I've been up to my ... in alligators with technical issues for the last day so I haven't had time to post.
Crystal I really hope you will have better luck next time and I think it's great that you are being understanding as I know it's a big disappointment but unfortunately you and many others including Becks are going to pay the price for some really poor decisions. Sorry :(
Thanks for the article Siniestro... I really like Martin Rogers and I like him even more now lol seeing as he agrees with me that Yallop had a responsibility.
Syd, I really hope Yallop will be sacked there are a lot of rumors circulating that his days are numbered I guess time will tell. I found his quotes unbelievable. As you said, he knew he was dizzy, he knew he was limping and he knew the score was at 2-0 and that Becks could barely see straight and was operating on only one functioning ankle before he used his last sub and knowing all of that he put Gordon in for Martino and left Becks on the field. I think he has to be sacked now because I don't think the team will start winning until he is. Honestly a manager who is desperate, out of ideas and a poor decision-maker is like the kiss of death. The team has confidence issues and one look at Yallop would make anyone lose faith.
Tanique and Marie, totally agree with you about Lalas - couldn't believe that he said what he said and the timing. Poor Becks has just been through hell trying to keep everyone happy so this guy goes to the media and shoots his mouth off - just what he didn't need. And the "moneys worth" comment makes my skin crawl.
10:15 AM
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