August 16, 2007
Becks Scores, United Falls
D.C. United fans have gotten their share of David Beckham firsts, and after last night’s exit from the SuperLiga – almost single-handedly due to Beckham’s right foot – we’ve had our fill. After playing his first MLS game in a 1-0 D.C. win last Thursday at a sold-out RFK, he started his first match for the Galaxy last night in the SuperLiga semifinals against visiting D.C. Then he proceeded to register his first goal and assist in a Galaxy uniform.
D.C. made some headway early on, but LA was full of energy, pressing way up the field and forcing the United midfield into a number of giveaways. United may have controlled possession, but the momentum was with the Galaxy. Even worse, Galaxy attacker – and former captain – Landon Donovan was having his way with United back Josh Gros.
An ominous start to say the least, and when Devon MacTavish was called for a handball twenty-five meters from goal and Becks stepped to take the free kick, the outcome was practically inevitable. His inch-perfect delivery curled across the face of Troy Perkins’ goal, totally baffling Perkins, and giving American soccer promoters everywhere the moment they’d been waiting for.
Immediately after halftime the Galaxy struck again. This time it was a simple counterattack, with Beckham carrying out of defense and sliding a diagonal through-ball that made Gros look silly and put Donovan in on goal. His shot took a slight deflection, and that was enough to beat Perkins for 2-0.
United were still very much in the game, and Luciano Emilio manufactured two golden chances inside the penalty area. But each time Galaxy keeper Joe Cannon was up to the challenge, first with a reaction save on a shot bound for the upper corner and then with sliding block at Emilio’s feet. United seemed to lack that killer instinct, even with playmaker Christian Gomez introduced in the second half. A couple decent free kick opportunities and a speculative 35 yard shot from Carroll were all D.C. could muster as things ended 2-0.
For LA, a final against Pachuca awaits, and for the rest of the MLS, Beckham’s breakthrough can mean only great things. But for D.C., it means all the focus now turns to the MLS league season – with the exception of the the Copa Nissan Sudamericana in September -- to add another piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet.
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This is the equivelent of Michael Jordan playing professional basketball in France. Of course he's going to run circles around them but no one wants him on their team back home.
It's more like Roger Clemens playing baseball in Korea, I think.
"No one"? I'm pretty sure there are one or two (or five or six) European teams who'd be happy to have Beckham. He's a bit past his prime, and wasn't exactly the world's best player even in his prime, but seriously.
-jim d.
I felt obligated to chime in and agree with Jim. I would venture to guess virtually any English Premier League team -- save maybe the top four -- would like to have Beckham. Whether they want to pay what it apparently costs to get him, well, maybe not. But he's still a good player, and, as DC learned last night, you don't have to be in great shape or at the prime of your career to take (stunning) free kicks and corners.
Of course I don't want to see DC scored on, but Beckham's free kick was awesome. But getting scored on by that diminutive, balding crybaby Donovan just fills me with shame and rage.