England rocked by Beckham injury

England have suffered a major injury scare ahead of September’s Euro 2008 qualifiers after David Beckham hurt his knee playing for LA Galaxy. Beckham, 32, was taken off during the Superliga final with Pachuca after twisting his knee in a block tackle.

“At this stage it’s hard to tell, but it doesn’t feel good,” said Beckham.

“A ligament strain is four to six weeks but we’ll have to wait for the results of the scan on Friday. If it is four to six, I won’t be flying to England.”

Beckham, who has had recent problems with an ankle injury, added: “I went into the tackle a little light because of my ankle and tried to compensate for that.

“I’d have been better off not doing it at all. Maybe it’s a sign that I need a rest and don’t come back until it’s right.”

Klinsmann tipped for leading role in LA

Come on, what Galaxy really need is at least 3 good players who will partner Beckham and Donovan upfront. It is just heartbreaking and sometimes vexing to watch Galaxy play. The players look so lethargic and seems to be playing without concern. Klinsmann can bring a change but i don’t see anything positive happening if Galaxy fail to bring in better players.

Klinsmann tipped for leading role in LA

Jürgen Klinsmann could be about to take over as the head coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy after Frank Yallop, the incumbent, admitted to feeling the strain of managing a losing team under an increased media glare since the signing of David Beckham.

The Galaxy have only three wins in 17 games this season and their hopes of reaching the Major League Soccer (MLS) play-offs are dwindling after the 3-0 defeat on Thursday by Chivas USA, the Latino team who share their stadium, the Home Depot Centre.

Beckham’s contributions have been restricted by injury, but the hype surrounding the former England captain has been undiminished, especially since his recall to the national team.

Can Beckham do the job?

LA Galaxy have conceded 8 goals in their last two games even though Becks played full time. The point I’m trying to make is that Becks cannot do the job alone and he needs better players to support him upfront.

So far Donovan is not doing that and none of the other players are. It’s just pathetic to watch Galaxy play. What Galaxy need to do to salvage themselves is to get another striker who can score goals. That way, with Beckham producing the crosses the new guy can put the ball in the net.

Chivas USA takes fight to Galaxy, Beckham

Sooner or later, there was going to be a brawl involving David Beckham.

It arrived Thursday night.
In an ugly scene just before halftime of a 3-0 Chivas USA victory over the Galaxy, an already heated soccer rivalry between the teams was raised in temperature by more than a few degrees as a punch was thrown, a head butt was delivered and two players were ejected.

 

 

Galaxy admit Beckham fears

The Los Angeles Galaxy have warned something will have to give as David Beckham embarks on a gruelling schedule for club and country. The Galaxy also suggested he could miss some England friendlies.

Beckham, 32, faces at least 22 games, almost 80,000 air miles - across 128 time zones - and nearly a week in the air over the next three months.

“I’m not going to deny there comes a point when your body can’t do it anymore,” said Galaxy boss Alexi Lalas.

“If at any point we felt it was detrimental to his health or ability to help our team we would take action.”

Brazilian ball wizard Denilson joins FC Dallas

Denilson, who in 1998 set a transfer fee record with a $40 million move from Sao Paulo to Spanish club Real Betis, has been signed by FC Dallas. The 29-year-old, who played in 12 World Cup games for Brazil in its 1998 runner-up finish and its 2002 title win, arrives from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nasr. Denilson becomes the fourth World Cup winner in MLS. The other three all played for Red Bulls/Metros: Lothar Matthaeus (Germany 1990), Branco (Brazil 1994) and Youri Djorkaeff (France 1998).

Denilson joined Al-Nasr from French club Bordeaux, for which he played 31 games in the 2005-06 season. He had spent seven season with Real Betis.

Beckham dismisses jet-lag claims

Midfielder David Beckham has flown back to the United States insisting the long-haul flights for England duty will not affect his performances. “Not at all,” said the 32-year-old, who could play for Los Angeles Galaxy against Chivas USA on Thursday - 24 hours after facing Germany.

“So far it hasn’t affected me,” he added. “In the future, who knows?

“I can’t say it’s not going to but, at the moment, it is not and I’ll play for my country as long as I’m wanted.”

Beckham took part in the whole of England’s friendly against Germany, which his side lost 2-1.

Real directors sidelined Beckham - Capello

MADRID, Aug 22 (Reuters) - The decision to banish David Beckham from the Real Madrid first team after he announced he would be joining LA Galaxy was made by the club’s directors, former coach Fabio Capello has revealed in an interview.

‘The decision was taken because the club management said that he had negotiated with them having already agreed a contract with Los Angeles,’ Capello told Spanish sports daily Marca on Wednesday.

‘They said that they couldn’t count on a player that wasn’t going to remain at the club.’ Capello said he had initially decided to stand by the club’s decision. ‘When I work I always wear the club shirt and defend the club in every way I can.’

But a month later the Italian recalled Beckham, who went on to play an important part in helping the club win its first league title in four years.

England outing will help Beckham - McClaren

Steve McClaren is confident an England appearance for David Beckham at Wembley tonight will help, not hinder his recovery from a long-standing ankle problem.

Beckham appeared to suffer a reaction to the injury he aggravated on his return to the international arena in June when he completed his first full 90 minutes for Los Angeles Galaxy in their defeat to New York Red Bulls at the weekend.

At the time, it appeared highly unlikely the former England captain would feature in the sell-out friendly against Germany.

However, Beckham made the first of what could be a series of punishing trans-Atlantic trips anyway - and appears to have made a startling recovery, judging by his performances in training.

While McClaren is sensitive to the needs of all club managers a fortnight before the competitive action begins for the Three Lions against Israel and Russia, the England coach is adamant Beckham should face Germany if he is able to.