This home game for LA started well with a lot of pressure being put on the Red Bulls, but they somehow withstood the pressure and sneaked a goal against the run of play on 18 minutes. Keane had lobbed the 'keeper only to have his shot cleared off the line, Beckham had three or four set-pieces to deliver but all to no avail. Beckham is in his now familiar central midfield role and is seen storming forward on occasion eager to impress Great Britain Olympic Football coach Stuart Pearce who has come to see whether Beckham still has what it takes.This looks like a game that has more goals in it as the teams leave the field at half-time with New York having a 1-0 lead.
The second half begins like the first with plenty of pressure from LA, but as the clock runs down, New York seems to find their feet and try to dictate a little more. The majority of chances fall to LA though, but a lack of success sees a change for Magee and Buddle as Noonan and Chad Barret take the field. Beckham switches to his 'old' position of right wing and pumps cross after cross into the box all to no avail. Easily the man of the match was Red Bulls 'keeper Ryan Meara who made his presence felt by taking complete control of his area for most of the game, and pulling of a fine save from an on-target effort from Juninho. In the final minute of extra time, the ball falls to Beckham on the edge of the area, he hits across it but without enough swerve to get inside the far post - his frustration is evident, but has he done enough to impress Stuart Pearce?I have a feeling that he may have had to prove that he is still a competent player with a good level of fitness, still has great vision and passing ability - can hold up the ball when needed and still shows great desire. I'm not sure that Pearce didn't already know this, but if he wanted to know if Beckham still has the desire, I think he will have seen enough.
Beckham will probably not be pulling the England shirt on again even under new management, but there is a fair chance we could see him at the Olympics.
