Welcome to the World of Beckham blog, we aim to keep you up to date with developments in the career of David Beckham a footballer from the UK who has played for some of the top teams in the world.

Monday 31 October 2011

New York Red Bulls 0 LA Galaxy 1

The Galaxy headed up to New York in the cold and managed to steal a win away from home in the first leg of the play-off with the Red Bulls.
The goal came early in the game after Robbie Keane had already hit the bar - Beckham lobs the defence for a very much on-side Mike Magee to volley home on his left foot.
After the break, a re-invigorated New York side came out to get back on even terms, but Josh Saunders managed to keep them out. Donovan spurned a clear chance to go two goals ahead which would have been a useful cushion for the return leg. Despite the pressure from New York, the game finishes 1-0 to The Galaxy, but there was an unsightly fracas at the end of the game which left a couple of Red Bull players on the floor and Juninho needing protection from the officials and his team-mates. Juninho and Marquez (Red Bulls) received red cards for their part in the action and will miss the return leg - Everyone else will no doubt be fired up for Thursday at the Home Depot...
Beckham manages another full 90 minutes (probably more like 95) without a booking..

Monday 24 October 2011

Houston Dynamo 3 LA Galaxy 1

This was a chance to rest the first team and send out the youngsters as The Galaxy are already in a commanding lead of the Western Conference, the result however did seal Houston's entry to the play-offs. No sign of Beckham, Donovan or Keane for this one and it was LA teenager Jack McBean who got his first MLS goal just two minutes from full-time, in an otherwise forgettable match.
The majority of the play was dominated by The Dynamo putting pressure on The Galaxy goal, LA displayed quite a degree of naivity in conceding the three goals which was probably to be expected. The one bright spot of the night was down to Chad Barrett's generosity in squaring a ball when he could have taken a shot, leaving McBean on open net to aim at with time to take a touch.
The Galaxy now head to the play-offs on Sunday Oct 30th away at either Colorado, Columbus or New York - they will play a home leg on Thursday November 3rd

Friday 21 October 2011

LA Galaxy 1 Motagua 0


This win ensured that The Galaxy head Group A in the CONCACAF and they secured a place in the quarter finals. Keane is still not fit, and Donovan came on as a substitute. It was Juninho who took the only game of the match on the half-hour mark with a 30 yard effort which looped over the keepers head and dipped just under the bar.
Despite Motagua's best efforts to force their way back into the game, The Galaxy emerge victorious putting behind them a few lacklustre performances earlier on in the campaign.
The Galaxy could face Salvadoran club Isidro Metapán or fellow MLS sides Toronto FC or Seattle Sounders in the quarterfinals

Wednesday 19 October 2011

Where will Beckham go next?


As the MLS season comes to an end, speculation is mounting over which way Beckham will turn when it comes to signing a new contract.
I have to say that the easiest option would surely be to stay with the Galaxy, or even switch to a different MLS team with the option of an MLS franchise in the future. Gathering momentum now (thanks to the Daily Mail and various French newspapers) is the proposed move to PSG under former AC Milan head coach Leonardno. Speculation is fuelled by the fact that PSG have new wealthy owners who would like to make an immediate impact by bringing in some big names.
No doubt Mrs Beckham would feel quite at home in Paris, but it is doubtful that Beckham will want to drag the family away from LA, unless it was a move back to the UK.
I am still of the opinion that Tottenham is the most likely premiership team who will be able to swing the deal unless Sir Alex has a sudden change of heart (which is not likely).
When you look at all the options and factor in the fact that Beckham is highly unlikely to get another shot at an international appearance, I believe The Galaxy looks like the option that keeps most people happy. However, there is no knowing what Beckham's personal ambitions are - so there is always the chance of a surprise.

Monday 17 October 2011

La Galaxy 1 Chivas USA 0


No Landon Donovan for this game, and Juan Pablo Angel's first chance to face the Galaxy since he left, and since leaving turned himself into a regular goal machine.
Galaxy nearly score in the first minute when Chad Barrett rounded the keeper, but had his shot cleared off the line by in-rushing defenders. The Galaxy keep pressuring mainly through Beckham's steady provision of curling balls into the box from the right wing, although most of his moves start from the middle of the park in his now familiar central role. Despite this service, Chad Barrett doesn't manage to create a goal and towards the latter stages of the half, Chivas build up more of an attack and begin to gain ground in the Galaxy half of the pitch. Despite good chances from both teams, the first half ends without any goals.

It was a combination of Cristman and Barrett that broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, Cristman floating a cross from the right for Barrett to head home, 1-0 The Galaxy, a score destined not to change despite a late rally by Angel whose old team mates were only too anxious to nip in the bud. Galaxy deserved the win, Beckham played another 90 minutes without getting a caution - Beckham however is missing the quality up front that Donovan normally provides, Donovan trained this week, so hopefully will be ready at least by next weekend to take an active part in the game.

CONCACAF on Thursday, final game of the regular season next Sunday against Houston Dynamo away.

Wednesday 5 October 2011

NY Red Bulls 2 LA Galaxy 0


Although The Galaxy missed out on the change of clinching the supporters shield on the night, Seattle's loss at the weekend secured a second successive supporters shield win for LA Galaxy.

On the night, LA were missing Keane and Donovan and looked a shadow of the team that normally puts in a decent effort at least. Luke Rodgers and Thierry Henry scored on the half-hour and hour mark respectively, not only that but both NY strikers hit the inside of the post during the match allowing The Galaxy to get away with a defeat rather than a humiliation. On a positive note, that's back to back games in which Beckham has avoided a yellow card..!

Hopefully, the team will find some motivation from somewhere for the play-offs with two more league games to come and a concacaf game taking us up to the end of October.

In the meantime, Leornardo is apparently still pushing to have Beckham at Paris St Germain with some French press speculating that the deal is agreed in principle and just needs a signature. This is unlikely to be accurate, and until David puts pen to paper, the speculation will no doubt continue. There are few that would doubt that this next deal will probably be the last, and the previous requirements to impress the England manager is not so pressing as Beckham is unlikely to earn any more caps.
At this juncture I would say that he will likely as not stay at Galaxy as they are sure to want him - a move to England would be risky, but if it was going to happen, I would say Tottenham under Harry Redknapp. I don't see a bid by any other European club being considered seriously, but you never know...

Sunday 2 October 2011

LA Galaxy 2 Real Salt Lake 1


Headline news today, David Beckham plays 90 minutes without getting a caution - in other news.. LA pull a 2-1 win out of the hat after going down a goal right at the end of the first half. The goal after a largely uneventful first 45 minutes, from a corner kick beautifully headed into the corner leaving Josh Saunders no chance.
In the second half, Beckham finds Chad Barrett from distance in space in the penalty box, the ball looks like it is going to be sheilded out, but Barrett pokes at it with his left boot and scores to level the game on the hour mark.
Just 11 minutes later, it is another Beckham delivery, this time a free-kick that finds a target in the box, the resulting shot hits two real players before hitting the back of the net to ensure LA have yet another home win in what is turning out to be a spectacular season for them.
No sign of back problems for Beckham, and with Robbie Keane back in the frame, The Galaxy are look set to take the Supporters Shield and maybe more..