LA's Beckham wins fourth AT&T Goal of the Week award | LA Galaxy

LA's Beckham wins fourth AT&T Goal of the Week award | LA Galaxy

Portland 3 LA 5

In an eight goal thriller at the weekend, Beckham scores two fantastic goals to silence the critics.. Coming back from a suspension, Beckham makes up for lost time by netting two - one a 35 yard unstoppable shot, the other a trademark free-kick identical to his last goal for the LA Galaxy a few weeks ago.

Beckham banned

What a thrilling week Beckham has had, but not one he will want to remember. Having had to accept that he will take no part in the GB Olympic squad, Beckham enters the San Jose game with a point to prove. The Galaxy go 1 - 0 down after a lucky early goal, but it is a trademark Beckham free-kick that puts LA on equal footing. However despite going 3-1 up, the Galaxy concede again either side of half-time bringing them back to 3-3. San Jose get another one about the hour mark, and despite two possible penalty area hand-balls, LA can't get a break and lose the game 4-3.
There is another side to the determined Beckham, and we saw that too as in frustration he kicked the ball at a prostrate Sam Cronin, and got into a vocal dispute with players at the end of the match. This conduct got him a one-match ban and an undisclosed fine.

Beckham not in Olympic squad

Despite his sincere hopes, Beckham received a call yesterday from Stuart Pearce telling him that he would not be taking part in the GB football team in the London 2012 Olympics despite being chosen in the initial squad of 35. The 35 have now been whittled down to 18, and although the full squad is yet to be revealed, the three places reserved for players older than 23 have been revealed as Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards.
The reason for selecting Micah Richards ahead of Beckham is apparently because Pearce wants more defensive cover in his squad. Though naturally disappointed, Beckham has stated that he will be keenly following the British team just like any other supporter.
This follows on from a presentation earlier in the year for his 100 caps and surely signals the very last hope that Beckham had of any further involvement in international football. Meanwhile, The Galaxy have settled down a little and are starting to establish an unbeaten run which is a welcome change from their dismal start to the MLS season this year.

LA Galaxy 0 NY RedBulls 1

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.

Beckham commits to LA Galaxy

The long drawn-out proceedings finally ended when Beckham signed a two-year extension to his MLS contract at LA Galaxy. Over the next two years, David can apparently expect $15m from The Galaxy, and they will no doubt be happy for him to make himself available for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Beckham at Arsenal

With Thierry Henry back on the bench for Arsenal, the very day after Paul Scholes came out of retirement - The Beckham boys are back in the terraces watching the latest FA cup story unfold, this time to watch Arsenal take on Leeds at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger has also gone public voicing his belief that Beckham could play in the Premier League again like Henry, it was with Arsenal that Beckham trained in one winter break before the World Cup campaign started.

Wenger expressed his admiration for the determination of both men when playing in the MLS play-offs in 2011. He cited the anger and frustration that Henry displayed on losing the play-off, indicating the desire of the player.

Wenger said that both Beckham and Henry show the same desire to play to the best of their ability rather than sit back and take things easy in the MLS.

Henry repaid his old managers confidence by coming on late in the second half and scoring the winning goal as Arsenal beat Leeds 1-0. A fairy-tale ending to the day for Henry - a sigh of relief from Wenger as his team of youngsters showed promise but could not break through the Leeds defence.

Beckham in Manchester

David Beckham is one of two Manchester old boys popping up at Old Trafford today. He appeared in the crowd whereas Paul Scholes made a surprise return to old Trafford, suspending his retirement to help out Manchester United take on Manchester City today.

For a brief moment you wonder whether Beckham would consider putting himself forward if Sir Alex is looking to bolster his squad for the rest of the winter - but the wily Scot is unlikely to entertain the idea for very long, although stranger things have happened ...

The game itself was a good advert for both the FA cup and the Premier League with ManU going three up in the first half after Kompany was dismissed for Man City. ManC pulled two back in the second half and the rest of the game became rather tense. Another long-lost ManU old boy Owen Hargreaves also took the field, but in the blue of Man City.

Man United teased City for the last five minutes keeping possession until City finally got a break and a free kick for a foul on the edge of the box. 92 mins on the clock and a nervy United keep the ball out of the net, the game finishes Man City 2, Man United 3 - ManU go through to the next round of the cup.

No doubt, the Beckhams will be happy with that result.

Beckham to stay in LA?

I'm not sure that staying in LA is the best option for David Beckham's aim of getting a place in the GB Olympic squad, but it does appear that (once again) the speculation of 18 months with PSG has evaporated. This time it is Leonardo himself saying that David will put family first and will not be signing for Paris.

It's not over 'til he signs in one place or another, but LA fans see this as a positive indication that he will stay with The Galaxy who have reportedly offered a one-year rolling deal.

In the meantime, although Robbie Keane initially ruled out a winter move, he is planning to train with Spurs during January, and Aston Villa are apparently set to offer a two-month loan deal to the LA Galaxy striker. Landon Donovan of course, is already in the squad at Everton for the winter break.

Paris Saint Germain

As the January transfer window gets ever closer, it looks increasing like Dave Beckham may be heading to PSG on an 18 month deal at a reported £700,000 per month. French politicians are up in arms at the proposed salary which would make Beckham the highest earning sportsman in France.

Added to this speculation is the distinct possibility that Carlo Ancelotti is also set to join the Paris club as coach setting the scene for an AC Milan 'old boys' network with Leonardo already installed...

I was personally hoping for a return to the Premier League for Beckham, but hopefully if this move comes off, it will present the right platform to launch his bid for a place in the British Olympic team for 2012. Watch this space for breaking news....

UPDATE: The BBC are now reporting that Beckham may be favouring extending his contract with LA Galaxy, which initially looked to be a strong contender - however, taking this step might mean he is in a worse position to get a place in the Olympic team.

Melbourne Victory 2 (3), LA Galaxy 2(4)

In what proved to be the toughest test of the tour, The Galaxy drew 2-2 with hosts Melbourne victory in their final exhibition match, going on to take the victory in the penalty shoot-out.

It was penalties that got them the draw in the first place, both of them sent home by Robbie Keane. Beckham had a chance to repeat his rare trick of a goal from his own half, this time narrowly missing the target.

Berhalter came on for Beckham in the 89th minute, sparing Beckham the penalty shoot-out - Berhalter scored his penalty and LA took the honours despite Landon Donovan sending his effort over the bar.

Donovan is heading for another short stint at Everton in January, Beckham looks increasingly likely to be heading for Paris..

Phillipines 1 LA Galaxy 6

Beckham scores the opening goal in open play (!) in what quite frankly a rout seeing a host of the Galaxy's star players getting goals. Beckham opened the scoring on 20 minutes curling the ball past the keeper from just outside the box. Magee scored a scorcher from Donovan just before the 40 minute mark, and the Phillipines quickly got one back 2-1 to the Galaxy at half time.

Keane scrambles the ball into the net straight after the break, Cristman headed a goal on the hour mark to take the score to 4-1, well out of sight for the Phillipines team. The Galaxy won a penalty on 80 mins and veteran Berhalter took a great penalty to take the score up to 5-1, and Cristman rounded it off on 86 mins, the game finished 6-1 and never for a second did it look like any other outcome was likely..