Beckham and Donovan

Despite managing to get on the score-sheet early this MLS season, anyone who knows anything about Beckham knows that he is dangerous in front of goal, but never likely to be your top-scorer. Beckham is master of the 'assist' from wide out on the right-hand wing, but does not often dominate the penalty area. This is where his pairing with Landon Donovan must be seen as inspirational. His hat-trick last weekend is no isolated incident with his record as The US team all-time leading striker, and the player of the year trophies that must take up considerable room in his lounge, the Californian is a vital part of Beckhams plan to dominate the MLS.
Of course, where Beckham does excel is from the set play, a free kick outside the box is Beckham territory, and he went close to emphatically proving that point on Saturday. Rest assured, it will not be long before these will be stretching the back of the net when the opportunity arises.

Galaxy 5, Chivas 2

A Hatrick for Donovan after been booked early on for knocking the ball past the keeper with his hand, and a brace for Alan Gordon in the first SuperClasico of the season. The game was all level at 2-2 up to the last 15 minutes, but the substitution of Gordon for Buddle late in the second half paid of very quickly. Chivas goals ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous with a sublime first goal from Sacha Kljestan. Their second said more about the Galaxy defense as a comedy of errors finished when the ball dropped at the feet of Ante Razov with the defense all at sea, he just blasted straight through them with the goalkeeper floundering.

Beckham can't really count his contribution in terms of goals or even direct assists in this match, but his performance as captain was sound nonetheless, and his involvement certainly contributed to a couple of the goals. He came close with a trademark free kick from distance, but just managed to put it over the bar.

LA Galaxy 2 Houston Dynamo 2

Terrific pressure from The Galaxy particularly in the second half, only brought a draw through two goals from Donovan. Once again Beckham was the provider for these two goals plus a whole host of chances in a game where he was able to demonstrate why he was brought to The Galaxy in the first place. Houston Dynamo scored first and when Donovan leveled the score in the second half, they quickly responded to take the lead once again. Donovan slid to the rescue to get onto the end of a Beckham ball keeping the Galaxy in the game. Donovan is building up an impressive tally of five goals so far, Beckham so has just the one goal, but a hat-full of assists which is what his game is all about. All eyes on the next game as The Galaxy really could do with another win under their belts.

Gift for Beckham

I read today on American Beckham about Beckham's team-mates in the England squad buying him a special gift for his 100th England cap - and what a gift, a gold-plated custom engraved 32GB iPod - very nice.... that is a bit of class and well-deserved. Hopefully he will be able to go on to contribute to the England cause again, and current form seems to point to the fact that he is firing on all cylinders at the moment.

LA Galaxy 2 Toronto FC 3

Galaxy had much of the play with Beckham been given the chance to bang his trademark right-wing crosses in to the box, but they were unable to convert anything in the early part of the game. Twice Galaxy conceded and twice they equalised, with the winning goal coming in the final two minutes leaving Galaxy to consider what might have been if the earlier pressure had been converted into goals. Beckham had the chance to deliver one of his speciality free-kicks but ended up finding the wall rather then the back of the net.
A spirited performance which may provide a platform for manager Ruud Gullit to build on for the future.

Galaxy Schedule

After a disappointing start to the 2008 MLS season for LA Galaxy, the comeback last week was a huge relief for players and manager alike. They must have been desperate to capitalise on the latest victory, but have to wait another 10 days before getting a chance to show whether the 2-0 result was a fluke, or a sign of things to come...
I found a good website for keeping track of Galaxy's MLS games and have placed a link in my sidebar. This will make it easier for me to know when to look out for match reports and keep blog readers updated with the latest results. I also visited LA Galaxy.com and signed up for regular news emails. I note that Beckham is up for 'goal of the week' for his first goal of the season, which is not bad... check out the link here and see the goal... you can vote for it, or one of the other goals on the shortlist.
Check back regularly for all things Beckham (strictly sports-related...)

Beckham scores in Galaxy triumph

After the disappointing performance last weekend, The Galaxy redeemed themselves beating the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 at the Home Depot ground. Beckham delighted the crowd by scoring in the eighth minute and setting up Donovan to score a second goal 20 minutes later. Again Becks played the full 90 minutes and was understandably jubilant after the game, feeling that he has at last started the job he came to do...
Beckhams first (and hopefully not the last) goal in the 2008 MLS season was matched by another personal record, a first ever clean-sheet for Los Angeles goalkeeper Steve Cronin...
LA Galaxy next play on Sunday Apr 13 when they host Toronto FC.

Galaxy 0 Rapids 4

Colorado Rapids upset the start to Ruud Gullit's season by thumping the Galaxy 4 -0. Beckham played for the full 90 which is about the only positive that the Galaxy could take from this match. Beckham cited the travel between UK and US as possible mitigation, but that really doesn't apply to the whole team. This was supposed to be the real start of Beckhams chance to impact the MLS, so far, this is not happening... Another positive is that Beckham managed NOT to get booked.. unfortunately Abel Zavier did...twice which saw him take an early shower (even if it was in the 90th minute!). Gullit cannot be happy.