Becks Blogs
Hi everybody,

I joined some of the best players in the MLS last week to play in the All-Star game in Toronto against West Ham United. It was a great experience and a really good game, which we won 3-2. It was brilliant to play alongside players such as Dwayne De Rosario and Juan Pablo Angel, who have been so successful and are real stars in the MLS.
While we were in Toronto, Jorge Flores from Chivas USA, Jim Brennan of Toronto FC and myself visited a hospital for sick children in support of the MLS W.O.R.K.S programme. It was a very humbling experience to meet many of these children, though it’s always incredible to see the kids’ strength of spirit. I was honoured to be there and I’m pleased that the MLS has set up a programme, which, hopefully, brings a smile to the children’s faces.
On Sunday I was back with the Galaxy for a league match in Texas against Dallas FC. Unfortunately, we didn’t start the game well, couldn’t get going and didn’t deserve to get anything from it. Credit to Dallas, they played incredibly well and were the best team on the day. We’ve a lot to work on, but we need to be positive and go into our next game against San Jose Earthquakes in the right frame of mind. I’m already looking forward to it.

That’s all for now.

Take care,

David


David on Sesame Street
David's episode of Sesame Street is set to air on August 22nd. The new season begins on August 11th and includes an impressive soup of celebrities. We'll be sure to bring you video clips after the episode goes to air. More info here.


David's "Ab Fab"
Yet another best dressed list - can we blame the media throng who clamour to honour Becks with style awards? This time it's Vanity Fair who have named him one this year's international best dressed people.

Not to be left out, some of Hollywood’s A-list men also earned spots on the list, including Daniel Craig, Diddy, Kanye West and David Beckham – because he’s “ab fab,” according to Vanity Fair.

[...] For more of the 69th Annual International Best Dressed List for 2008, check out the new issue of Vanity Fair, on newsstands now. Source


Beckham offers to help diver Daley handle fame
Football star David Beckham has offered to help the upcoming diver Tom Daley handle fame. Thesun.co.uk reports the 33-year-old football star wants to help out the 14-year-old, revealed Tom’s father Rob after he met Beckham’s manager.

Rob said: “David is apparently a big fan and wants to get together with Tom. They have quite a bit in common as he was brilliant at a young age and had very high profile.” Source

Sorry this is a bit late, dealing with some complicated health issues in my family and am called offline at the oddest times.

Dallas 4 - 0 Galaxy
Ouch...Dallas turned the tables from their last meeting with Galaxy and beat the LA team 4-0 at Pizza Hut Park on Sunday.

There weren't many highlights for Galaxy fans, but here are the highlight clips nonetheless:


Match report here.


All Stars vs. West Ham Clip
Here's another highlight video from the All Stars vs. WHU game, this time in Spanish:



Int Football - Beckham's report card

This is more like how Beckham imagined things in the United States working out for him.

Four months into the 2008 Major League Soccer season and with four months to go before the championship game in November, Beckham can focus his thoughts on the title instead of worrying about the injury shadow that clouded his first North American campaign last year.

The Los Angeles Galaxy have been far from perfect so far, but they are certainly contenders and have the ability to beat any MLS opponent on any day. Read the report card here.

Beckham starring in global Sharpie push
Good news for fans outside the US who'd like to see more of David on their telly screens:

A global campaign with cheeky TV spots featuring soccer superstar David Beckham autographing for fans will begin airing in Canada on August 18 on MuchMoreMusic, W, HGTV, TSN and Canal Vie Musimax.

Read more here.


In completely insane news...
If you're so dedicated that you'd like a little picture of David tattooed onto your teeth, read on.

Thought a tattoo on the lower back or on the hand was cool? Well, then here's something much more cooler for you – the owner of a US dental laboratory is offering ‘tooth tattoos' featuring the faces of many A-listers.

The celebs include - David Beckham, Amy Winehouse, Diana, Princess of Wales, Simon Cowell and the Queen.

Steve Heward, 51, says he has received a flood of inquiries from Britons interested in acquiring a "gnasher tat".

For 40 pounds he will make a crown from an impression of a tooth and paint an image on it using a dental ceramic stain.

More here.


Becks in Space Chimps
Apparently the new film Space Chimps is rather, well, bad, but there's one item of interest for Beckham fans. The Manchester Evening News reveals the film describes Earth as "the planet of "iTunes, greenhouse gases and David Beckham".


Style it like Beckham
For the style-watchers among you:

David Beckham has scored himself an unlikely new fan - John Mayer.

The singer, who is currently dating Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston, forced a double take as he emerged from an LA boutique yesterday looking every inch a Becks clone.

His once floppy-haired boy-next-door appearance had been replaced by a new buzz cut, with his sleeve tattoo, shades and devil-may-care stubble only adding to the copycat look.

More & photos here.

FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy
Tonight at 7pm ET the Galaxy take on Dallas away. Preview

TV: FSN-W, MLS DK package

Radio: AM 570, 1330 AM (Esp)

Online: MLSLive.tv. p2p options aren't listed yet, but check this site closer to game time. Go to "Live Sports", then click on "Football", and scan the list of matches there for Dallas vs. Galaxy. The Galaxian Rams sopcast should be there, if nothing else. Get the software you'll need here. You can also try LiveFooty closer to match time; just scroll down their list of matches to look for it.

Text: ESPN's usual live text commentary and graphic Gamecast apply.


MLS All Stars 3 - 2 West Ham
The MLS All Stars team continued its massive unbeaten streak by besting another foreign competitor on Thursday.

David Beckham treated the fans to what they came to see, flashing his trademark smile and curling free kicks to lead the Major League Soccer all-stars to a 3-2 win over West Ham United on Thursday.

Beckham and his team mates had insisted the game against the Premier League side was much more than a friendly for MLS as it continues its bid to be recognised as a quality league.
[...]

"Every player out there was committed to winning the game, we took it seriously," Beckham told reporters. "We wanted to win and we did that."

Read more

Video highlights here.


One year later, US Beckham-mania slows while MLS grows

David Beckham, who sparked a wave of "Beckhamania" one year ago when he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy, has seen the fascination slow and Major League Soccer grow due in part to his arrival.

The 33-year-old English international midfielder still draws sellout crowds, quadrupling New York Red Bulls attendance to more than 46,000 earlier this month, and Beckham souvenirs remain among the league's most popular items.

While the hype has cooled, attendance leaps when Beckham arrives in MLS venues and he deserves a lion's share of credit for the growth spurt the US league is enjoying, the latest example being plans to add two teams by 2011.

"I'd like to think so," Beckham said of his playing a major role in boosting the sport in America. "It's one of the reasons why I moved here, to be a part of growing the game here. Hopefully people are seeing the changes.

"Attendances are up 20 percent. Shirt sales are up 780 percent, so I heard. So it's going well. That's obviously what the game needs in this country. The hype is there and it's just about keeping it going."

Read more


Beckham among 'World's Sexiest People'
David's sex appeal has earned him yet another honour, this time in Australia:

Who Weekly super-sized its "Sexiest People" list from 25 last year to 100 in 2008, capitalising on the ever-popular rollcall format that has become a magazine staple over the past few years.

Sixty glossy pages are dedicated to the cross gender mix of mostly models, actors, singers and sport stars, with small blurbs to explain why they're hot right now.
[...]

David Beckham is "always impeccably groomed and is the ultimate dreamy dad".

Read more

Tonight the MLS All Stars face West Ham United at 7pm ET in Toronto.

Video (possibly just audio, or the video portion isn't working) preview here. Read an article about the various match-ups between members of the All Stars team and members of West Ham's team here.

TV: ESPN, Telefutura

Online: ESPN360.com (if your internet provider carries it). There are many options for p2p available here; check that page closer to match time for updates. Find the software you'll need here.

I could not locate any radio or text commentary coverage for this match. 

This will be an exciting meeting for David, who has of course played West Ham many times, and even has a couple fellow England national team members on the WHU squad.

Becks Blogs

Hi all

Last week I attended the ESPY 2008 Awards in LA and was pleased to win the award for Best MLS Player. It is always an honour to be recognised by people for playing the sport I love and to get the support of the fans.

It was also great to see so many people come out to see the match against Red Bull New York at the Giants Stadium on Saturday. On the pitch it was an exciting match to play in, we did really well in the first half and were disappointed to go in at half time with the score at 1-1. They came out in the second half and got another goal, but we kept on battling and showed character once again to come back and equalise. Landon Donovan could have won it for us at the end and was really unlucky to see his shot hit the inside of the post. Overall though, both teams had chances, so I think a draw was probably the fairest result.

Next up, is the MLS All-Stars game, which myself, Landon and Edson Buddle have been selected for. We play West Ham United in Toronto and I’m really looking forward to the match, as it’ll be the first time I’ve played against them since I left Manchester United. They are always a very competitive team, so it should be a great game.

We then travel to Texas on Sunday to meet up with the rest of the Galaxy team before we play FC Dallas in the MLS. We beat them 5-1 in our previous match this season. I think it was one of our best performances so far, so we’ll be trying to put in a similar performance.

That’s all for now.

Take care,
David

Soccer star Beckham finally to make BMO Field debut in MLS all-star game

It's been almost a year since David Beckham sat in his tailored suit on the sidelines of BMO Field, watching as his Los Angeles Galaxy played Toronto FC to a scoreless draw.

The buzz of anticipation in the air that night fizzled into disappointment for Becks fans as the former England captain sat out the game with an ankle injury.

The wait's finally over.

Beckham, who didn't travel to Toronto for the Galaxy's game earlier this season due to England team duties, will make his BMO Field debut Thursday when Major League Soccer's biggest stars take on English premier squad West Ham United in the annual MLS all-star game (7 p.m. ET).

"Obviously it was frustrating for myself last year, because I wasn't able to play, but this year, being able to train every day, and play in every game, it's helped me understand the game a lot better," Beckham said Wednesday.

Read more here


Beckham reunited with United

David Beckham has exclusively told whufc.com that he is relishing the prospect of taking on West Ham United in the MLS All-Star Game on Thursday.

The England midfielder has a good record against the club dating back to his time with Manchester United. Perhaps chief among those old memories is his last appearance at the Boleyn Ground. On 16 March 2003, Beckham scored the first and last goals as the Reds turned on the style in a rousing contest to win 5-3. He cannot wait to again take on the team that were just a stone's throw from his boyhood home of Leytonstone as he started out as a young footballer in London.

"I am looking forward to it," Beckham said on the eve of a highly-anticipated encounter. "I always liked playing against West Ham, especially being an East End boy as well. I played against them few times with Manchester United. I always especially liked playing at Upton Park, because it is a place obviously near my house and near where I come from. Also, I usually score against West Ham at Upton Park which is always nice!"

Beckham left the Premier League back in summer 2003 to join Real Madrid before last year's switch to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Unsurprisingly he is one of Major League Soccer's shining lights and will be a star turn at the BMO Field in Toronto. He will come up against fellow internationals like Robert Green, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton and is excited by the challenge. "It is great to be involved in this game and it is always nice to play against good players and a good team."

Source


Dean Ashton on Becks, MLS
The one and only Deano spoke about Becks & MLS at a press conference ahead of tomorrow night's games. Here's an excerpt:

"David Beckham coming over here has made the MLS a lot bigger in England so everyone is talking about it and younger players want to come over now. It is a great lifestyle and the football is getting better and better all the time. The feedback from all the players back to England is that it is an upcoming league and somewhere to be."

Of his international colleague, Ashton added: "David Beckham is huge all over the world. He has definitely lifted the profile of the MLS. A lot of people were surprised that he did come over here. They felt like he could still play part in European football but it has shown already that he has made a great decision. He has definitely helped the MLS and helped the profile in England as well."

Read more here

David Beckham effect is felt across America

For every excited American awaiting his arrival in California, there was a critic ready to denounce the move. Yet the Beckham effect has not only improved the profile of the club, but also put the midfielder back in the England fold, a member of the 'Century Club’ now that he has passed 100 caps.

On the field, Beckham has become a one-man show, responsible for the Galaxy averaging a league-best 25,513 at home and a league-high 27,094 on the road this year. The Galaxy website could not be accused of understating Beckham, describing him as “one of the world’s most recognisable people”.

Full article here


LA Galaxy boss Ruud Gullit blasted by Beckham's team mate

David Beckham's LA Galaxy are embroiled in a public spat after Abel Xavier launched an attack on boss Ruud Gullit.

Ex-Portugal defender Xavier was bombed out of the MLS side to make way for new signing Eduardo Dominguez.

Xavier, 35, counts Becks as a close pal - but says former Chelsea manager Gullit forced him out of the California club.

Read full article here if you're intrigued - it's not really news about Beckham, but news involving Beckham


Beckham pleased as Galaxy draw with Red Bulls

Los Angeles Galaxy captain David Beckham was pleased with the resolve his Major League Soccer side showed in battling back to a 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls Saturday.

Landon Donovan salvaged a point for the Galaxy at Giants Stadium, his cross in injury time floating over the heads of numerous players, including Galaxy teammate Edson Buddle's, and into the far corner of the goal.

"It was a cross, of course," Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit said. "But he kicked it so well, if Edson had touched it, it would have gone in as well.

"So the keeper didn't know what to do. Just the quality of the play itself made it difficult for the goalkeeper," Gullit said.

Full article here


Series of Fox Videos
The Victoria Beckham blog has a lovely series of videos of Becks talking to Fox (network) in a post here. Rather than repost the material, I'm just going to link you to it, and thank the site owners for doing the tough stuff of embedding the videos on their own site.


If anybody is interested in a Donovan/Becks/MLS-related article about how the MLS All Stars are psyching themselves up for Thursday's game against WHU, look here.


Becks for GoldenFoot
Just a reminder: you can vote for David for the GoldenFoot award here.

New York Red Bulls 2 - 2 Los Angeles

Los Angeles Galaxy captain David Beckham praised the character of his team for their late comeback to avoid defeat against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.

Landon Donovan rescued a point and nearly grabbed a winner for the Galaxy in a 2-2 tie at Giants Stadium, his cross in the 92nd minute from the left drifting into the far corner of the goal after L.A. striker Edson Buddle and the Red Bulls defense all missed the centering pass.

Read more here.


Game Highlights



Beckham draws the casual fan to Giants Stadium

Though the game wasn't as successful in the stands as last year's epic match which drew over 66,000 to Giants Stadium, Beckham's second game in New York was still an unqualified success.

Read more here


Ruiz added to the Galaxy mix against Red Bulls
(CRITICAL OF BECKHAM, BEWARE!)

Yes, the face was still the same, and the tattoos were still there, but Beckham's crosses misfired and free kicks fizzled. Whether it was the heat, the turf, the Red Bulls or all of the above, Beckham's performance in his second MLS visit to New York wasn't nearly as impressive as his first, when he delivered two assists and was dangerous throughout the Galaxy's 5-4 loss on Aug. 18, 2007.

Instead of Beckham playing the role of creator or goal scorer, it was his supporting cast that picked up the slack and reminded us just how much firepower the Galaxy actually have. Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz, making his first start since suffering a knee injury in the team's season opener, scored his first goal of the season on a pass from all-star forward Edson Buddle. Landon Donovan, who looked dangerous all night, combined skill with some luck to curl a cross at goal that slipped inside the far post in the dying minutes to give the Galaxy a 2-2 tie.

Read more here


Becks hails Gullit impact in turning Galaxy around

David Beckham believes his Los Angeles Galaxy boss Ruud Gullit has transformed the Major League Soccer side both on and off the field.

The former Holland international, who has also managed Chelsea, Newcastle and Feyenoord, took over as Galaxy head coach last November following the sacking of Frank Yallop at the end of last season.

And he has turned the squad from league championship also-rans to title contenders in a matter of months. [...]

'Well, it wasn't my decision to bring Ruud here but obviously I was asked about it and to have an experienced coach like Ruud here can only be good for the club and good for the players,' Beckham said.

'Everybody knows how amazing he was as a player and I know how good he was as a manager as well, from speaking to a lot of players that he managed.

'So to have someone with the coach's experience here is very important for our team and for the club as well because it's not just on the field that he's changed things. He's changed things off the field as well through his experience of managing big clubs.

'I think it's going pretty well. Things are changing round in our club, gradually, and it's step by step but it's about getting consistency and I've spoken about it all season.

'It's also about getting a togetherness within the team and that's one thing the coach has also done. He's brought that togetherness which maybe wasn't there last year as much as it was this year.'

Read more here

Red Bull vs Galaxy
Tonight the Galaxy take on the Red Bull at Giants Stadium (a game to which I had tickets in excellent midfield seats but couldn't go last minute - how sad is that??) at 6.30pm ET, 3.30pm PT. Preview

Note of interest: You won't see Abel Xavier there, because he's been released from the team.

You can see Becks & Gullit in a pre-game press conference here.

TV: TV: FSC, FSE

Radio: AM 570, 1330 AM (Esp)

Online: TVUNetworks usually has FSC running full-time on channel 21500 (aka channel "soccer"). You need the TVU software or plugin which you can get at the time. Alternatively, check other p2p options (probably a Galaxian Rams Sopcast) closer to game time here. They don't have a direct game link yet so click on "Live Sports", then click on "Football", and look down the list for the match later. Get software you need here.

Text: ESPN's live text commentary is here while the graphic Gamecast is here.

Good luck to the Galaxy! Last years Red Bull vs. Galaxy on August 18th was an absolute cracker of a game, and as we head into the 2nd half of the season, this is an important game to secure standings.


More About the ESPY
ESPN has an article about David's ESPY win here.

As for Marry's request to post links to view the ESPYs, I don't know of any channels that broadcast plain old TV when matches aren't on. I'll look, but I'm not sure it will be an option.

For those who do get ESPN:
The 16th Annual ESPY Awards, co-presented by HUMMER and Under Armour, and hosted by Justin Timberlake will be televised on Sunday, July 20 at 6 p.m. (PT) on ESPN/ESPN HD.


Becks for GoldenFoot
Just a reminder: you can vote for David for the GoldenFoot award here.

Becks Wins ESPY
As already noted, no doubt, David won the ESPY award for MLS Player. Congratulations, David!


Red Carpet Interview
A red carpet interview with David & Victoria at the ESPYs:



Justin Timberlake at ESPYs
The venerable Victoria Beckham Blog has this report from the ESPYs, for those who didn't see the award show. Justin Timberlake, this year's host, bent down and kissed David's feet, proclaiming "That's what $250 million dollars tastes like." NDTV also has the story here.


Beckham brand continues to swell Galaxy's coffers
His play on the field can speak for itself and needs no defending -- even the most stalwart of Beckham bashers must give kudos to the player. With five goals and seven assists, the midfielder has played brilliantly at times, earning his way back into England's national team and being the catalyst for his club team's rise near the top of the Western Conference. His play has turned a very average side into one of the most potent offenses in MLS.

"David's on-field performance has been instrumental in our improvement this season. He's healthy and contributing on a consistent basis," said Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas. "David's presence has also contributed to the success of other players, like Edson Buddle." [...]

"There is a method to any perceived madness when it comes to the business of David Beckham at the Galaxy. We have and will continue to recoup our costs through ticket sales, sponsorship, tours and other traditional and non-traditional revenue streams," said Lalas on the business of Beckham. "For example, we have gone from a $20 average ticket price in '06 to a $38 average ticket price in '08. While this is a significant increase, it still makes us one of the most affordable forms of entertainment in Los Angeles." More about the ongoing financial business of Becks in MLS here.


Beckham buzz starts again as Galaxy visit New York
"It was such a phenomenon last year, and I think as a result, maybe more of the people who will be here on Saturday will be actual fans instead of people who were just here trying to take a look at Beckham," MLS commissioner Don Garber said of Beckham's second visit to Giants Stadium.

It will be a tough act to repeat, but Beckham, the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls will try to do just that Saturday (6:30 p.m. ET), as another crowd north of 50,000 prepares to converge on the Meadowlands. Check out more about the buzz in the New York area & build up to tomorrow's game here. We'll get you the links for viewing tomorrow. A Goal.com preview can be found here.


Gullit - Team's Needs Decide Where Beckham Plays
Los Angeles Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit insists he has to take the team's needs into account when deciding on where to play David Beckham.

The 33-year-old midfielder's customary position is wide on the right, but he has also been used in the centre throughout his career with Manchester United, Real Madrid and England.

Former Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop mostly deployed Beckham centrally when the Englishman arrived in LA during the second half of last season.

And now Gullit is grappling with the issue as the Galaxy prepare to head into the second half of the 2008 Major League Soccer season. Read more here.


Beckham on MLS: Play improved, but work to be done
"Soccer is definitely changing in this country, and it is getting bigger and growing," Beckham said. "But it is going to take time, and I said that at the start. It's not just going to happen in a year or two. It's a long-term plan to raise the profile for this game in this country. I think it has gone well so far." More from David about the state of MLS here.


UFO News
Of course, we can always trust Britain's tabloids to bring us the truly important news, like the following - which I am posting just because the title "Beckham and his boys 'desperate to see some aliens and UFOs'" made me laugh out loud. I can't even begin to express the ways in which the story gets more ridiculous as it goes on (including not only Britain's tabloids getting involved, but China's as well), but for the curious, here it is.


Becks for GoldenFoot
Just a reminder: you can vote for David for the GoldenFoot award here.

(Posted By Dina)

Labels: david beckham, ESPY, Goldenfoot, UFO

Becks Blogs
Hi everyone,

It seems like only a few weeks ago I arrived in Los Angeles with my family ready for the next chapter in our lives. A year later and we feel so settled here, everyone loves California and everyone has made us feel so welcome. I can’t imagine being anywhere else in the world right now.

Of course, I’m enjoying playing my soccer too. Last season was a bit stop start for me with the injuries which wasn’t helped by the fact that I arrived part way through the MLS season, but this year we’re playing well and I look forward to every match as well as visiting different cities and stadiums around this amazing country. You can see a real impact being made across the country, we play in front of big crowds and soccer is now more prominent in the media and more people seem to be aware of the league around the world.

My teammates have been great to me and we have a brilliant set of fans. I’m thankful to them and to the people of Los Angeles for making my family and I so welcome since we arrived here.

We played Chivas USA last Thursday in the second SuperClasico of the season at the Home Depot Center, which we both share. It was the sort of game that could have gone either way, but I think overall a draw was a fair result. I was happy with the way we came back from a goal down as it shows we’re playing with the right spirit and we’re confident that we can always fight back if things don’t always go the way we want.

Next up we’re off to New York to play the Red Bulls on Saturday afternoon. Last year was a particularly memorable, 67,000 people and nine goals, it summed up the potential for the game in the States. I’ve heard that 50,000 tickets have been sold to date for this game so it’s promising to see that people are coming back to see games. We lost to New York earlier in the season, so we’ll be going all out to get the right result.

I’m also looking forward to my first All Star game next week in Toronto. It’s great that we’re playing an English side in the form of West Ham, a team that I’ve played many times before in the past…I even remember getting a bit of stick from their fans on a few occasions! I’m sure they will want to come over and put in a good performance, whilst we will want to show the quality of the MLS. It should be a competitive game.

Well, that’s all for now.

Take care,
David



Golden Foot
Loredana points out this link for voting for Golden Foot 2008: http://www.goldenfoot.com/ You can vote for Becks there!


Becks at Training
Franco points out this post where you can see stills and video of Becks training on Wednesday.


ESPY Awards
The ESPY awards were held today - look for more info as we have it - but Franco's already put photos of the Beckhams at the ceremony in the gallery here.

CONTROVERSIAL REPORT AHEAD...
Posted here for those who like to keep up with what others are saying about Beckham. If you don't like reading criticism or questioning the role Becks plays in MLS, just skip over this. If you read it and have something to say - please hop over to the forum and say it, whether you agree with it, disagree with it, rant, rave, or anything else!
MLS: Is Beckham A Success?
Earlier this season, David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy played a series of barnstorming games in South Korea and China.

Aside from England, Asia has been Beckham's most rabid fan base since hosting the 2002 World Cup.

In the first match against FC Seoul, the 65,000-seat stadium was only half full.

Five years ago, they would have required riot police to keep people out.

After one year in America, David Beckham is already fading from the world's consciousness.

Has Beckham been a success for Major League Soccer? Read more


Beckham On Missing Britain & Finding Comfort Food In Los Angeles
David Beckham may be celebrating his one-year anniversary with the Los Angeles Galaxy in sunny Southern California, but he hasn’t fully adopted the American lifestyle.

“I still love Sunday roasts,” Beckham told Britain’s The Sun in a new interview. “Victoria cooked one for the boys the other day but I was away. I was quite jealous of that.” [...]

“I will always miss England. Everyone knows I am passionate about my country and playing there. I miss my family, friends and a good old English pub,” Becks said. “There are a couple over here, actually… but I do miss a pub with a good lager shandy and a Sunday lunch while watching [soccer].”

Though Becks has adopted American past times, like watching basketball (he was regularly spotted at Lakers games this year), the soccer star has held on to his London twang.

“After being here 12 months, I don’t have an American accent but the kids are starting to get one,” Becks, father to Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, said. “They’re at school every day and learning different things about America. This is to be expected. I lived in Manchester and didn’t get the accent. I’ve always sounded like a Londoner.” Read more here


Bending it with 'Becks' in Beijing
Eight-year-old Erika Tham isn't much of a soccer fan.

But all that might change in August when the London girl hands soccer star David Beckham a ball, which he will kick off a double-decker bus into a crowd at the Beijing Olympics.

The big moment will come during the closing ceremonies, when the Chinese will hand off to England, for the 2012 London Games.

"I was screaming my head off and shouting," Tham said yesterday. "I was so happy and excited" about being chosen to take part in the ceremony. [...]

She joins Beckham and British singer Leona Lewis on stage at the closing ceremony for a 10-minute performance.

Lewis will hand a symbolic gift to Tham before they perform. Then, she'll hand the ball to Beckham, said her mother, Kathy Janssen.

The next day, the trio will tour Beijing, including the Great Wall of China. Read more here

Lots of RANDOM, random news for you tonight. Some rumour, some statements, some fact. Take what you want from it all and dispose of the rest. So buckle up and get ready, here we go!
(Update: apologies, but due to some sort of error I had to redo this post, so bear with me while I get everything that was deleted back up.)

Zidane is the best player ever, says Beckham
Former England captain David Beckham claimed on Sunday that his ex-Real Madrid team-mate Zinedine Zidane is the best player of all time.

The 33-year-old Englishman told sports daily Marca that it had been a dream come true to play alongside Zidane for three years at Real.

"To train with Zidane for three years (2003-06) was a dream," confessed Beckham, who has been capped over 100 times by his country.

"For me he is the greatest player of all time." Read more


Beckham Backs Casillas for Award
David Beckham has backed the claims of Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas to win the Ballon D'Or as footballer of the year. [...]

Many at Madrid believe Casillas deserves to be the first goalkeeper since Russian legend Lev Yashin in 1963 to be win the Ballon D'Or, and Beckham is also of that mind.

"I hope so. He is hugely talented, is a great goalkeeper and a great person. And it would be good if a goalkeeper won it," said Beckham, who played alongside Casillas for four years at the Bernabeu, in Marca.

"We shall see what happens, but I hope that he wins the Ballon D'Or, he deserves it" Read more


Beckham Would Welcome Madrid Coaching Role
David Beckham has admitted that he could be tempted back to the Bernabeu with a role coaching Real Madrid’s youth team players, but reiterated his decision to stay away from club management. [...]

He said: "I would like to return to Spain some day and to Real Madrid. To work with the kids or something similar at Madrid would be an honour for me.

"Everybody knows that I love to work with kids and that I adore Spain. I still have my house in Madrid and if I return some day I already have somewhere to live.

"When the moment comes we will have to see, but to be part of Madrid would be great. I have many friends there and many people who I respect a lot, such as (former president) Florentino Perez, who is one of the best friends I have in Madrid." Read more


Beckham Tips Altidore To Shine
David Beckham has tipped American teenager Jozy Altidore to make a positive impression in La Liga after his move from the New York Red Bulls to Villarreal. [...]

The ex-Real Madrid midfielder told Marca: “He is 18-years-old and he is on a learning path, but he could make a name for himself in La Liga. He is a good player, very young, strong, aggressive.” Read more about this & his thoughts on why Donovan isn't abroad here.


Beckham turns in gritty effort against Chivas USA
CARSON, Calif. -- David Beckham turned in, if not a superlative game, perhaps his grittiest performance yet, against the Galaxy's bitter rivals, Chivas USA on "MLS Primetime Thursday." With the intercity competition pushing both teams into a physical battle, the Galaxy captain made sure his team gave as good as an effort as it got in the 1-1 draw.

David Beckham, right, spent much of the game against Chivas in central midfield.
"It was like, you attack, we attack," Beckham said of the back-and-forth nature of the match. "We're happy that we got back into it after they scored that great goal in the first half." [...]

Beckham was orchestrating the Galaxy attack from the center of the field, not his customary spot on the right.

"Because we had some injury issues, we needed to improvise a little bit," Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit said. [...]

"Ruud felt that putting me in the middle would help us get the ball from left to right to Landon [Donovan] and Edson [Buddle]," Beckham said. "At some points it worked, at some points it didn't, because Chivas sat so far back that I wasn't able to hit balls behind their defense. That was tough for us."

At one point, a clearly frustrated Beckham was tackling wildly for the ball.

He made no apologies for the risky, aggressive action, even as a reporter termed it a "red mist" of angry behavior.

"Coaches have kind of given up telling me not to do those types of challenges," Beckham said. "That 'red mist' has been there throughout my career and will be there until I stop playing, because I hate losing. It's as simple as that." Read much more here.


Beckham: I Nearly Joined Milan
England symbol David Beckham has revealed that he came very close to joining AC Milan last year, prior to his move to LA Galaxy.

Beckham left Real Madrid in the summer of 2007 to move to the United States, but he has explained how, prior to agreeing to join LA Galaxy, he came mightily close to signing for Milan.

“I was very close to signing for Milan,” Beckham told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I thought very hard about the opportunity, but in the end I decided to come to the United States.

“Milan are a top-level club, which is what I was looking for after Real Madrid and Manchester United.

“The Diavolo are the side that I like best in Serie A and they have played excellent football for years. Furthermore, I like the country and I often go there on holiday.” Source


Beckham Boosts Galaxy Fortunes
Soccer stud-turned-underwear model David Beckham's move to Los Angeles has been hailed a financial coup for his new team.

Since making his debut as a player for Major League Soccer team the L.A. Galaxy a year ago, Beckham has become the biggest name in the sport in America - and his side is the most watched.

Galaxy bosses are reporting a 20 per cent hike in attendance since Beckham started playing. Source


Beckham: 'United to overcome Queiroz exit'
David Beckham believes Manchester United will soon overcome the loss of Carlos Queiroz after the Old Trafford number two was named as the new head coach of Portugal.

Beckham played under Queiroz at Real Madrid with the pair arriving from Old Trafford within days of each other in summer 2003.

The 55-year-old only lasted one season at the Bernabeu before being sacked and returned almost immediately to the Red Devils.

Queiroz was confirmed in his new role yesterday but Beckham is confident United will soon find a successful replacement.

He told Sky Sports News: “It will be someone I’m sure that will fit straight into it.

“Mick Phelan has been there for many years now and has done a great job but I’m sure the final decision will be the manager’s and without doubt he picks well.” Source


Becks wants to set football academy in Asia
Former England soccer captain David Beckham is keen on opening a football academy or academies in Asia some day.

“I would love to have different academies in different places. Having academies in Asia is now a possibility. We are already looking at it. I am aiming to have as many around the world as possible, he said.

The England superstar currently has academies in both Greenwich and Los Angeles and is to open a new one in Brazil at the end of 2009, reports The Sun.

“To have two, with another coming up, makes me feel very lucky,” he adds. Read more


The Ronaldo Saga
2 articles re: the ongoing United vs. Madrid saga involving Cristiano Ronaldo - in one Becks merely talks about the importance of the decision and in another he openly advises Cristiano to leave United. I don't trust the source for the latter, as it's a double team of News of the World and Goal.com, but I'm including it for you to see. Here's the more likely: AFP article & the less likely Goal article.


Becks on a year in Los Angeles
HE lives in Beverly Hills, holds a season ticket for basketball giants the Los Angeles Lakers and his three sons now speak with Californian accents.

It’s a long way from Manchester and Madrid, or even Beckingham Palace in Sawbridgeworth, Herts.

Yet DAVID BECKHAM is living the American dream and loving every minute of it. Read the interview here

Tonight Galaxy host Chivas (so to speak!) in the 2nd LA SuperClasico derby. Kick-off is 8pm PT, 11pm ET. Preview here.

TV: ESPN2, Deportes
UPDATE: Just saw a comment from Loredana (grazie!) that it will be available on Sky Sports as well, so if you're a fan outside of the USA check your listings!

Radio: 1330 AM (Esp)

Online: Check here for the p2p listings closer to match time. Usually GalaxianRams lists a Sopcast feed. Grab the software you need here. It also appears to be on ESPN360.com for those who have the service with their internet provider.

Text: ESPN's text commentary is here, while their graphic Gamecast is here.

Good luck Galaxy!


MLS All-Star 11
Perhaps not surprisingly, Becks was voted into the MLS All-Star team for the upcoming match against West Ham United in Toronto. This may pit him against England teammate Dean Ashton.

All Star 'first eleven': Goalkeeper: Matt Reis (New England Revolution).

Defenders: Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution)

Midfielders: David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

Forwards: Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

Source


Becks Blogs
Hi all

Hope you are all well?
We have been working hard in training this week particularly following the last few games. We really need to concentrate more as a team when we play – otherwise it leads to losing games like we did last Friday.

This week should be a good one though, we are playing Chivas USA in the SuperClasico, which is always a fiery game, being that it’s the local derby! I’m sure they’ll be ready for action too after our 5-2 victory over them last time – they will be wanting revenge but we will be ready for them. The Home Depot Center will definitely be buzzing that evening!


Take care

David

Sharpie...


That's the new Sharpie print ad, following the ongoing TV ad campaign!

To celebrate the campaign Sharpie have a new contest for a trip for 2 to either London or Los Angeles to meet Becks. The holiday includes air fare, five nights' hotel, and $1000 mad money.

There are also a signed jersey and $100 of Sharpie products up for grabs. Check out the contest here.


LA vs. NE Highlights
Here are some highlights from the LA vs. NE game, including David's goal.



Fireworks, Anniversary & More
Here's a video of David recorded before the game on the 4th, discussing the game and his wedding anniversary with Victoria. 


Beckham vs. Pepsi?
A couple weeks ago we wrote about the possibility of a split between Pepsi co. and Becks, with the vague suggestion he'd want to start his own line of water. Marketing Magazine has a bit more about the story - suggesting the split could be over healthier products in the Pepsi line, period:

Marketing Magazine has a story that suggests that soccer star David Beckham is threatening to withdraw from future association with Pepsi if they do not connect him better and more healthy products.

Of course it's all speculation, so consider it accordingly.


Channelbee
Soccer ace David Beckham and Oasis singer Noel Gallagher have teamed up to be a part of a new internet site Channelbee.com. [...]

The site includes a daily show, video sketches, a dating show, concerts with bands and anecdotes and interviews, which web surfers, can email to friends.

Lovejoy is sure that the site will be a success - particularly with youngsters - as it is completely free to view.

The site is the brain child of Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller and Soccer AM host Tim Lovejoy. Source


Beckham Nearly Greatest Style Icon

David Beckham narrowly missed out on being named the Greatest Ever Male Style Icon – to screen idol Cary Grant.

The Hollywood legend, who died in 1986 aged 82, impressed the 4,000 British men surveyed with his debonair look.

Becks’ modern metrosexual style only took him to second place in the poll conducted by tie maker Peckham Rye. Source

David played a good match and scored 1 goal but LA Galaxy ended up losing 2-1 against New-England Revolution.

Excuse the shortness and lateness of this post. It was my turn to struggle with computer problems this week, causing me to fall behind in my work and in updating this site. I've just finished catching up now and uploaded the pictures I've missed in the last week. It's late here but I still wanted to make an update and let you all know that the gallery is updated.

More detailed posts to come tomorrow and back to normal after that. Sorry for the inconvenience :)

In the meantime, why not chat it up with fellow DBFOers in the Forums.

Labels: david beckham

Tonight the Galaxy take on NE Revolution at the Home Depot Center. The atmosphere should be charged - given it's the 4th of July and both are leaders in their conferences - and hopefully it'll be an entertaining game with a better result for the Galaxy than last week. Good luck to our boys!

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT (10:30 p.m. ET)

Radio: 1330 AM (Esp)

TV: FSN-PT, DK

Online: MLSLIVE.tv (MLS's subscriber package; visit www.mlslive.tv to sign up for the season). Galaxian Rams amost always has a Sopcast feed; full p2p options will be listed here under "Football" (the specific game link is not there yet so I can't give you the direct URL - check for it closer to game time). Any software you need can be downloaded here. The match may also be listed here closer to match time.

Text: ESPN's text & graphic Gamecast is here. Plain text commentary here.

Check out a match preview here.

Because it's a holiday I'm going out for parties up until match time, so won't be available to answer questions in comments about this match - apologies in advance if anyone has any trouble locating links to watch live. Hopefully the p2p sites will update with information well in time of kickoff.

Happy Independence Day to all our American readers!

Apologies for this being slightly late; the 'news' these past couple days has been the same few stories repeated...and as that 'news' is pretty disgusting, even by gossip standards, I am leaving it out in favour of his own words:

Hello everyone,

We travelled to Washington D.C. to play D.C. United on Sunday afternoon and felt confident going into the game and, despite going a goal down early on, we managed pull a goal back and get into the game. Credit to D.C. though, they are a very good team and were better than us on the day, particularly in the second half. Obviously it was very hot out there, which didn’t help, but we just didn’t play well enough.
It was a great atmosphere though and it was great to see so many fans at the games. It’s brilliant that people support the Galaxy, but we still need to win games, that’s the most important thing.
I’ve also been visiting my US Academy recently and watched the kids at various sessions. I always enjoy popping along and seeing how things are going. I like to get involved as much as possible too and we had a great question and answer session with the kids one afternoon, which is always fun.
It really is so rewarding to see so many kids enjoying learning about soccer.

Until next week,

David

The Beckham Effect

All but one of the Los Angeles Galaxy's six road games this season have drawn more than 20,000 fans. The exception was the Galaxy's opener at Colorado's Dick's Sporting Goods Park, which was sold out at 18,713. For more on the David Beckham crowd pull and MLS attendance. ...

Los Angeles' home attendance is a league-leading 25,142. The Galaxy's away crowds have averaged 27,094, which is nearly 11,000 higher than this season's leaguewide attendance average. ... Read the full story here


DC 4 - 1 LA
Unfortunately DC won Sunday's battle in the blazing heat by 4 to 1. Galaxy's young star Buddle scored the only consolation prize for the Galaxy, who looked rather scattered throughout the game. You win some you lose some - never more true in a league as inconsistent as MLS. So chins up, fans! There's more glory to come.

Highlight video here.

Of the game, Becks said:
"I'm disappointed with the way it went in the second half," ... "We lost our way. We kept giving the ball away, and we didn't play well. It was hot out there, but it was more than that today"

Excerpts from a post-game review:

Ruud Gullit has never been known for his teams' defensive prowess and that has certainly been the case so far for LA Galaxy, who shot to the top of the Western Conference on the back of the attacking flair of the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, but their record of goals conceded is pretty diabolical. That situation was even more evident on Sunday lunchtime in Washington DC, where the Galaxy were thrashed 4-1 by DC United.

[...]

"It was hot out there but that affects both teams, although after all, they train in it week in and week out. Though, it wasn't just that today," said Beckham afterwards. "Of course, like I said it was hot but we didn't play a good game -- we didn't play well enough. We didn't challenge hard enough and the best team won on the day. I can obviously blame the humidity, obviously it was hot out there, like I said, but it was more than that today."

[...]

Goldenballs came in for some stick from the home fans, but admitted that he's more than used to it by now: "I've had a lot worse, but you know that's part of the game," he said. "It's part of the atmosphere, part of soccer. You know, it's the same all around the world. When you play away from home the fans are less friendly all the time, that's the way it is. You know you accept that and you get on with it. If you win the game you enjoy it. You know, it's great that the people and the fans turn out, because it's great for the game, it's great for the MLS, and it's good to play in that kind of atmosphere. So, yeah, it was nice to obviously see the amount of fans that turned out today, but I wish the result had been better for us."

Read the full article here

Check out this video of Becks signing autographs for fans at Dulles airport.


MacBecks
In random news...

A comedy musical titled MacBecks, based on the life of football star David Beckham and his wife Victoria, is to be staged in Dublin, with the promoters hoping for a subsequent UK transfer.

The show follows the formula of I Keano, the spoof musical about Roy Keane’s walkout from the Irish World Cup squad, which had several sell-out runs at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre, toured provincial venues and also transferred to Salford. Two of the I Keano cast, Gary Cooke and Malachy McKenna, have scripted the new show and Long Road Productions, a company that has worked with Riverdance, will be involved in the staging.

“We’re very excited by the script - it’s a wild comedy romp that borrows from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, as well as Cyrano de Bergerac,” says Long Road Productions director Ronan Smith.

Posh is portrayed as an overly ambitious Lady Macbeth, for whom husband David sacrifices his career, and the list of characters includes Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and Beckham’s former PA, Rebecca Loos. more here


Becks Presents at the ESPYs
David will be a presenter at the ESPY awards coming up:

The ESPYs, hosted by Justin Timberlake, and featuring presenters Lance Armstrong, Jason Bateman, David Beckham, Kristen Bell and David Ortiz [stats], are broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in La-La at 9 p.m. July 20. Go to www.espys.tv


New Book
Sagnad points this out:
A book about David Beckham’s loan spell at Preston North End in the mid-1990s is to go on sale next month.

Beckham - In At The Deep End has been written by local sports writer Andrew Atkinson and features exclusive interviews with former North End team mates as well as never-before-seen pictures of his time at the club. Find out more about it here.

Thanks Sagnad!