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Beckham Attempting To Shrug Off Back Pain For Barca Friendly
Goal.com 48 minutes ago
CARSON, Calif.— Ahead of a friendly with world powerhouse Barcelona, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is expecting to shrug off some back pain to be fit for the game.
“I've got a slight back pain, but it's not a problem,” he told the congregated press at the Home Depot Center, saying it's been bothering him for two days. “I was just doing my work in the gym and then I've got some treatment. It should be fine, I should be back training tomorrow.”
Having missed most of training on Thursday, Beckham is still optimistic about training Friday and being ready for the game on Saturday.
“I hope so, unless I have a bad reaction from the last couple days, but I think it'll be fine. It's feeling a lot better than it was yesterday, so fingers crossed it will be good.”
Head coach and general manager Bruce Arena shared that optimism that his designated player would be fully fit for the Barcelona match.
“Just nursing something,” he said of Beckham's absence from training. “We expect him to be ready on Saturday.”
When the England international arrived in America two years ago, he played through an ankle injury that heavily hindered his form. Both Arena and Beckham pointed toward the 34-year-old's good health as a reason for his impressive display this year, and hoped it would continue.
“I've never hidden the fact that when I'm fully fit and in good shape I can play at my best,” Beckham stated. “I hope that continues; I feel in good shape. I had obviously the month's rest over the summer and came straight back into it and been working hard with the guys. Hopefully my fitness continues. It's important that I do that, and hopefully then I can play at a high level.”
Arena agreed on the health of his player, but also pointed out that he's brought in some reinforcements to the team.
“Well he’s healthier for a start and the players around him are better,” the former United States national team coach said of Beckham's form. “That helps some of David’s better qualities and if he’s got better players around him, his play will be more of a factor than it was the last couple of years. Just simply the fact that he’s healthier, I think we’re going to see his best in the months of September, October and hopefully, November.”
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Beckham Excited For “High Level” Barca Friendly With LA
Goal.com 48 minutes ago
CARSON, Calif.— David Beckham doesn't sound at all like a former Real Madrid player when he praises Barcelona. A genuine respect overwhelms any past animosity.
His current club, the Los Angeles Galaxy, will be facing off against Barcelona in a friendly on Saturday. Having played AC Milan just two weeks ago, Beckham told the press congregated at the Home Depot Center that it was an honor to play such storied clubs.
“I think it's great when you come up against these teams,” Beckham said. “Coming up against Barcelona—European champions, Spanish champions, Spanish Cup champions—it's an honor for us to play against these teams and these players. Messi is one of the best if not the best player in the world, so to come up against someone like him, our players are all looking forward to that.
“It's going to be a high level game because Barcelona want to get fit for their La Liga season. They'll be working hard, they won't take this game lightly, so it's going to be a tough game, but one that we're all looking forward and we'll all enjoy.”
It's when asked about his memories of playing the Catalan giants that the rivalry sparks a light in Beckham's eyes.
“One of the best memories is beating them,” Beckham said, reminiscing. “As a Madrid player it doesn't get any better than that, when you beat Barcelona. We beat them at the Nou Camp once, we did that for the first time in quite a few years.
“I scored one for Manchester United against Barcelona, a free kick at Old Trafford. I've not scored too many goals against them, but I've had a couple assists.”
The game may not be as big as a Barca-Madrid rivalry, but an expected 80,000 fans will watch the game at the Rose Bowl. For his part, Beckham can't wait to play in front of such a large crowd.
“I think it's incredible,” he said. “If that amount of people is going to be at the stadium it's great. They're turning out to see some of the best players in the world playing in Barcelona. Hopefully we'll have a lot of fans there as well. Overall the players are excited about that. It's going to be a good experience and a fun one.”
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Arena Ready For Stiff Barcelona Test
Goal.com 19 minutes ago
In what is becoming one of the most anticipated friendlies of the summer, European and Spanish champions FC Barcelona are set to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on Saturday night.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena plans do things comparably to what he went through when his team lined up against Italian giants, AC Milan.
“I think we will take a similar approach to the game against AC Milan,” said Arena of his expectations going in. “It’s for the players to enjoy, but most importantly the fans as well. We went it to be a good showing and we want to play well, but we also want it to be a good showing for all the people who are coming out to the Rose Bowl to see an outstanding team in Barcelona. It’s a great challenge for us, but it should be an extraordinary experience for us as well.”
Arena’s team have had a bit of an up-and-down first half to the season, but in recent weeks they’ve steadied themselves and look to be a force down the stretch.
During the early part of the year they’ve had to endure various player problems and varying performances, something Arena feels is one of the only consistent things in the sport: inconsistency.
“We’ve had injuries, suspensions, national team call-ups, late arrivals with David Beckham,” said Arena of his team’s season to date. “It’s all part of it. You just deal with it each and every week and this week will be no different than the previous weeks thus far.”
For the Galaxy, this week will be different than the previous weeks as Barcelona, one of the biggest clubs in the world, are in town. With 80,000 plus expected at the Rose Bowl for the match, it can’t be called ‘just another match,’ even if it does qualify as an exhibition.
Having won last year’s UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey, Barcelona completed a memorable treble, good for one of their best season’s ever. Despite this, Arena isn’t really worried about facing the Catalan giants.
“When I look at their roster, I don’t really think there are any players we have to focus on,” said Arena in jest of the threats Barcelona has in their team. “They have an abundance of talent and I think the player that everyone wants to watch is Messi. He’s a spectacular talent. I was privileged to watch him in 2006, it was my first game with New York Red Bulls in Giants Stadium spun a few of our players. He’s an exciting player, he’s a real challenge to play against and our players in defense and midfield will certainly have their hands full with him.”
With the large crowd expected, and the obvious test Barcelona will throw the Galaxy’s way, it should be an entertaining and beneficial 90 minutes for both teams, and particularly the home sides head coach.
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Beckham: I Know I Have To Behave
Goal.com 50 minutes ago
CARSON, Calif.— David Beckham has endured a rocky relationship with fans in Major League Soccer since his return from a loan spell with AC Milan. In his first game in Los Angeles, a friendly against Milan, the Galaxy midfielder was booed roundly and he suffered similar abuse in the next game, away at the Kansas City Wizards.
Speaking to the press in the Home Depot Center, Beckham said that he is, “Just ignoring it as much as I can.
“I think that's the way you have to deal with these things, because when it happens sometimes it can become a distraction not for myself but the team.”
Several banners have popped up at games taking shots at the England international. One merely read, “Repent 23.” Heading into a friendly against Barcelona in the Rose Bowl, Beckham says he's not particularly worried about the treatment he receives or what banners are on display.
“I wish I had the time to make banners,” he said, whimsically. “If they put up more banners, that's down to them. I've had it a lot worse than I've had it here. If it continues then it continues. I'm not going to lose any sleep over these banners and these people.
“Over the years when I have had abuse from fans I've always been able to react in the right way of scoring a goal or winning a game or assisting. I've been able to do that in the past so hopefully I can continue.”
When the reaction was most intense, in the Milan friendly, Beckham confronted a fan at halftime. He appeared to signal that the fan should join him down on the pitch. When the fan complied, he was hastily apprehended by security personnel. For that incident, MLS commissioner Don Garber fined Beckham $1,000, but Beckham said the two haven't discussed his behavior.
“He came out with his statement. I know I have to behave,” Beckham said. “At the end of the day, there's going to be occasions where you take situations into your hands when maybe you should or maybe you shouldn't. I'm 34 years old.
“I've spoke to the owners of Galaxy of course and I've spoke to [LA head coach and general manager] Bruce [Arena] and the rest of the players. As long as they're happy with me and the way I play and the way I perform then that's all that should matter.”
Beckham started to mention that he wished the fine money went to charity instead, but was hastily informed that it actually did. He brightened considerably and added, “I'll definitely be paying that then.”
Goal.com 50 minutes ago
CARSON, Calif.— David Beckham has endured a rocky relationship with fans in Major League Soccer since his return from a loan spell with AC Milan. In his first game in Los Angeles, a friendly against Milan, the Galaxy midfielder was booed roundly and he suffered similar abuse in the next game, away at the Kansas City Wizards.
Speaking to the press in the Home Depot Center, Beckham said that he is, “Just ignoring it as much as I can.
“I think that's the way you have to deal with these things, because when it happens sometimes it can become a distraction not for myself but the team.”
Several banners have popped up at games taking shots at the England international. One merely read, “Repent 23.” Heading into a friendly against Barcelona in the Rose Bowl, Beckham says he's not particularly worried about the treatment he receives or what banners are on display.
“I wish I had the time to make banners,” he said, whimsically. “If they put up more banners, that's down to them. I've had it a lot worse than I've had it here. If it continues then it continues. I'm not going to lose any sleep over these banners and these people.
“Over the years when I have had abuse from fans I've always been able to react in the right way of scoring a goal or winning a game or assisting. I've been able to do that in the past so hopefully I can continue.”
When the reaction was most intense, in the Milan friendly, Beckham confronted a fan at halftime. He appeared to signal that the fan should join him down on the pitch. When the fan complied, he was hastily apprehended by security personnel. For that incident, MLS commissioner Don Garber fined Beckham $1,000, but Beckham said the two haven't discussed his behavior.
“He came out with his statement. I know I have to behave,” Beckham said. “At the end of the day, there's going to be occasions where you take situations into your hands when maybe you should or maybe you shouldn't. I'm 34 years old.
“I've spoke to the owners of Galaxy of course and I've spoke to [LA head coach and general manager] Bruce [Arena] and the rest of the players. As long as they're happy with me and the way I play and the way I perform then that's all that should matter.”
Beckham started to mention that he wished the fine money went to charity instead, but was hastily informed that it actually did. He brightened considerably and added, “I'll definitely be paying that then.”
