Beckham may take Galaxy back to Real Madrid

The long list of non-competitive fixtures may now include an invitation for LA Galaxy to play Real Madrid on December 5th for the 'Santiago Bernabeu friendly' trophy.
The annual challenge match originally been scheduled for August 28th against sporting Lisbon, but was postponed after the sudden death of Sevilla FC player Antonio Puerta.
Sporting may not be able to make the rescheduled game, so it is believed that the Galaxy are been offered the challenge instead.

Back in the England squad

Steve McClaren the under-pressure England manager, is expected to include Beckham in the England squad for the friendly against Austria, and the Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia. The friendly takes place on 16th November, the qualifier on th 21st. England's fate may already be sealed if Israel succumb to Russia at home on November 17th. This also means that Becks will not play in the charity match organised by former Real Madrid team-mate Zinadene Zidane on 17th November in Malaga.

McClaren does not officially announce his squad until Friday

LA Galaxy 10 Hollywood United 4

On-form Beckham scores two and sets up three goals whilst raising $100,000 for the wildfires charity. The good news is that Beckham managed 83 minutes on the pitch, the longest period he has managed since moving state-side....and didn't pick up any new injuries

Steve McClaren travelled to LA to tell Becks that he will be included in the England squad which will be officially announced on Friday. The first game will be a friendly in Vienna on November 16th. The critical Croatia game is on the 21st, though if Russia beat Israel on November 17th England will effectively be out of the Euro 2008 competition. This rules out Beckham's inclusion in the 'Match against Poverty' charity match on November 17th in Malaga.

McClaren has come under severe criticism for travelling to LA to use the charity match to assess Beckhams fitness for national duty, but he is in a last ditch gamble position anyhow, so I don't suppose he will take much notice.

Among those playing for Hollywood United were former players Jorge Campos, Frank LeBoeuf and Eric Wynalda, Galaxy General Manager Alexi Lalas, Def Leppard guitarist Viv Campbell and actor Anthony LaPaglia, who started in goal.

Becks waits for England call...

David Beckham has been invited by Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo to take part in the'Match against Poverty' at Malaga's Roseleda Stadium on November 19th. His decision to take part will depend on whether there is likely to be an England call-up for the game on 21st against Croatia

There is no clear indication as yet from under-pressure England manager Steve McClaren as to whether Beckham figures in his plans for the vital European Championship qualifier. An official of the charity said that players must indicate a confirmation of their participation two or three weeks before the game - I am sure they will see sense and make an exception in this case....

There appears to be no shortage of charity and exhibition matches to take part in, by all accounts Beckham will probably play twice as much off-season than he was able to play on-season for the Galaxy...

Charity match on November 4th

Another match which will feature Beckham has now been arranged for November 4th against Hollywood United to raise funds to help victims of the California wildfires..

Beckham's impact on the MLS is really in the balance, and he will need to show the doubters what he is made of over the next few games, even though these are all exhibition matches. There are many who will be watching Beckham solely because of the money involved, they have little idea of the talent Beckham has. Similarly many may have been encouraged to spend on LA Galaxy merchandising, and need to know why they have bought a shirt with 'BECKHAM' emblazened on the back - Those of us in the know have no doubts that they have a player that can pull a performance out of the bag when the chips (or fries) are down. Maybe these exhibition games will be a chance for the man himself to show them what the frenzy is all about. Coincidentally, it may be a chance to show England that he is up for the task of beating Croatia...

Beckham Virus

A sign of real fame is when virus manufacturers use your name to promote their latest virus. The latest virus to hit PC's is a backdoor virus which promises pictures of DB in a compromising position. Apparently opening the email will not be problematic, but visiting the site to download the fake picture will infect your system if you are using a Windows OS platform.
My personal recommendations on unsolicited emails are:

1. never open attachments from people you don't know
2. never click on the links within the email

In any case, always have up to date anti-virus software to keep your system clean.

Beckham to play on Nov 7th

Having played in only 5 LA Galaxy games this season, Beckham is lined up to play a minimum of 45 minutes in an exhibition soccer game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and LA Galaxy.

Originally the friendly was postponed after Beckham suffered a sprained right knee in August. The Whitecaps say they have sold over 40,000 tickets with the majority of the fans holding onto their tickets after the rescheduling of the game.

The Whitecaps are determined to give good account of themselves and have embarked on a period of intense training prior to the game on November 7th - No doubt the England set-up will have their eye on Beckham for this game, another disappointing performance could rule him out of a chance to play against Croatia two weeks later.

Season over?

The possibility of six months without a competitive game now looms for Beckham, as the Galaxy fail to win a place in the play-offs. The MLS season resumes in April 2008 and the former England captain will be desperate to demonstrate that he is in good enough form to be included in the England squad for the European Championship qualifier against Croatia on November 21st. However, he has denied reports that he could return to England for a spell on loan with a Premier League outfit, though this would seem to be a not altogether bad idea for Beckham, England, Galaxy and one Premier league club....

Return to the Pitch

Beckham manages his first twenty minutes on the pitch since August helping the Galaxy to a 1-1 draw against Red Bull New York. The Galaxy are enjoying a run of success in the fight for a play-off place, but all hangs on the next game against Chicago Fire.

Close to comeback

There are encouraging but cautious noises wafting from the Galaxy treatment rooms indicating that Beckham may be ready to make a return to the fray for LA Galaxy. The injured knee appears strong following some light training, and he will no doubt be hoping for a return to the England squad in time for the two October games.
The knee was injured in a Galaxy game on 29th August, compounding the earlier frustration of the ankle injury that he sustained with England and that has kept him off the pitch for much of the time he has been in LA.

Becks to play in New Zealand

An exhibition game between LA Galaxy and Wellington Phoenix has been agreed to take place on 27th November, just six days after the England Croatia game that could seal England's qualification into the European Championships.
Phoenix and the local council have stumped up the cash, and a Beckham appearance will be vital, in fact he will be required to play at least an hour.
Injury continues to spoil Beckhams first season in the MLS and threatens the likelihood of further England appearances.

First goal for Galaxy

Having made just two very brief appearances in Galaxy colours before today, Beckham started the game and curled on of his trade-mark free kicks into the net from 25 yards after 28 minutes against DC United.
Beckham was named as captain for the game, and was roundly applauded when substituted a little after the hour mark. Galaxy went on to win the game 2 - 0, helping to silence some of the concerns voiced by those who wonder if The Galaxy have spent their money wisely.