The return of David Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy lineup looks more and more likely to happen this weekend.
Los Angeles activated the 35-year-old midfielder Thursday, meaning that he will be available for this Saturday's clash with the Columbus Crew in an important match in the race for the Supporters' Shield — both sides are tied for first in MLS, with 44 points apiece. The move comes just under a month after Beckham returned to training with the club, and could be a big boost for LA down the stretch.
Beckham has been out since he tore his Achilles tendon in March while on loan with AC Milan, last appearing for the Galaxy during the 2009 MLS Cup. A substitute cameo seems the likeliest, considering the duration of his absence. If he doesn't make his return on September 11, he could return the week after when LA hosts D.C. United.
What do you think of Beckham's return? Can he help rejuvenate the Galaxy's season?
Share your thoughts below.
I care, other Brian. I care.
The more I think about it, the more Beckham reminds me of Brett Favre. They are both the type of person/professional that always manages to surprise you after they have been counted out. For years Favre has been called old & washed up, yet managed to put up some of his finest numbers in the twilight of his career.
Beckham, similarly, has been faced with criticism and adversity at different points throughout his career. Everytime, he proves his doubters wrong. There’s the world cup red card, and then next time his last minute free kick got ENG into the world cup. There was his time in Madrid when he was dumped by Capello, only training as hard as he could to be called back in. It was his high level of play during those last 7-10 games that won Madrid the title. Again, internationally he was dumped, only to be recalled because of his ability to keep working and fighting for a spot. In LA, after much criticism and injury, he came back and played a crucial role in LA’s run towards the end of last season.
Players like this, I will never count out.
The whole “Beckham” thing seems like long ago and not so big or even neccesary anymore, but it is good to see him back and healthy. I hope he is done with England, has a little more left in the tank and finish out his career here in a true MLSer fashion. Feel like he never really has had a full season or really settled into the league, mostly to his own fault.
oh yeah, forgot the Pan Pacific tournemant lol
Very good point. The return of Juninho is the biggest story going unmentioned. LA fans are stoked that he’s back
interesting question actually. Since 2006 Beckham signing MLS has been a roll coaster ride.
21 designated players, salary cap increase, 3 teams expansion, 3 more announced, 4 new stadiums, few more broken ground on, CCL format restructure, SuperLiga, US Open cup trophy worth something
what a ride
Beckham hasn’t done anything yet for the Galaxy. I’ll hold off my praise until he does.
I always thought Scholes was a work-a-holic, maybe I don’t watch him enough though
I love the not-so-subtle mention of “the 35-year-old midfielder”. I think this is Travis’s way of reminding us that Becks is old and the Galaxy better be depending on him less and less.
I think more important is the fact that the central midfielder who was responsible for setting up the goal to win at RBA and for most of the Galaxy’s bright moments of late, Juninho is back! They need him bad, and the other center mid, the defensive one, Chris Birchall is also back, wouldn’t surprise me to see Donovan on the left like he played for the national team and Beckham on the right, great speed and wing play can come from that with Sean Franklin overlapping Becks to create good crossing!
haha, ok kinda funny. But seriously, I’m rooting for the guy.
That woman is destroying Donovan´s game and the Galaxy. Sounds like another Yoko.
Donovan went to Europe – his body is just still in MLS.
Beckham doesn’t rely on match fitness to perform. He’s a passing/dead ball specialist – like a Scholes or Xavi he doesn’t need to run his tail off… Those are for the chumps still making $40k (joke).
How is that better? The league still needs Beckham as does LA.
aka the Strausburg
Maybe this will help Bruce change things up and get a spark going for the Gals. Not that I want them to win the title but it may prevent DColumbus from picking up another Supporters Sheild.
Good finally he’s back say what you want about becks guy is 35 and was gettin soild mintus for ac and played good for them. I think he’s going to come bac and be a big help for galaxy. Ima red bulls fan to.
+1 I’m no fan, but he’s a gamer.
Beckham is class….my daughter and I met him when Real Madrid played RSL in 2006 and he was very gracious and kind to both of us especially my daughter and warmed to us even more when I told him my mom was from England. Great ambassador of the game.
yep, its sad, both Manchester games also.. although Arsenal/Bolton should be interesting with the injuries to the gunners.
+ 1
One Better….Becks subs on into a 2-2 game in the 75th minute. In the 76th he Tears the achilies tendon in the other leg… He’s never heard from again.
People may have that reaction about Donovan, but I don’t think its fair to him. Sure he hasn’t looked as good as he did at the beginning of the year, but the slump has just as much to do with an unorganized defense and lack of team speed. Teams now know how to play the Galaxy (counterattack). Bruce needs to make some adjustments.
Check this one out. Their slump (and Donovan’s slump) also started when LD and Bianca started to get back together. First he made his “hi bianca” comment after that ALG game and then she goes with him to the ESPYs and lately has been seen at the HDC for Galaxy games.
Remember, LD really turned it on when they first split up. Distractions, perhaps?
The rest of the squad should be wondering where their Donovan went.
Yes.
Is it just coincidence that Beckham’s return to Galaxy camp happened around the same time the Galaxy’s slump started?
possible scenario: Galaxy defeat Columbus this weekend, Becks off the bench has a solid contribution. Team gets their act together as Becks gets more minutes and are able to find their form again headed into the playoffs. Becks will get the credit for inspiring the team, being that missing piece, etc. Donovan will wonder where his team went.
Or, they continue to suck, limp into the playoffs and lose.
Either way, it doesn’t look good for Donovan.
December of….never ?
God knows there are a lot of bad things said about Beckham. But, really, can anyone question his committment to the game? He must have put in a lot of work rehabbing over the past 6 months. He certainly didn’t have to put in that much — nobody would said anything about his recovery if he didn’t play at all this season.
Given that Henry and Marquez have needed a couple of weeks to regain their match fitness, Beckham should be back to normal sometime in December . . .
I’m tired of Beckham, it’s Rafa and Thierry’s time to shine. Oh yeah, they already are.
I bet they are just using his rumored return to sell tickets, but he doesn’t play. Then they promise a return at the next game so they get 2 games of hype.
who cares…..
Becks subs into a 2-2 game in the 75th, Donovan draws a free kick outside the area in the 87th, Beckham shoots …. He Scoooooooooorrrrrreeeeessssssss. Galaxy WIN!!!
Haha we’ll see. Welcome back Becks. Good luck, stay healthy.
Cap him!