Club Friendlies, World
2:30 AM Los Angeles Galaxy 8.15 X 4.50 Chelsea FC 1.30
bwin
Beckham unlikely to debut with Galaxy
LOS ANGELES -- Because of ankle injury, soccer star David Beckham would not be able to make his debut with the Galaxy this weekend as had been scheduled, it was reported Friday.
Alexi Lalas, the Galaxy's president and general manager, told the Los Angeles Times that outside pressures from television, sponsors and the like would not factor into the final decision on whether Beckham would make an appearance.
"Absolutely not," he said. "It's ultimately up to our coaching staff and our medical staff to evaluate our players and to do what's right for the player and to do what's right for the team. Not just for the short term but for the long term."
Beckham also said it would unlikely that he would play this weekend. "At the moment it doesn't look good that I'm going to play," Beckham told ESPN TV, adding that his left ankle is still swollen and he's receiving treatment for an injury he suffered June 7 while playing for England.
Beckham said however that "I'm here for five years," not just for tomorrow's friendly against Chelsea, a British team. "It's more important to me personally that my ankle is right, and I don't think it'll be right for the game.
"Maybe I will play some part toward the end of the game if it's all right, but we'll see."
Beckham's absence will be a disappointment for thousands of fans. The Galaxy has announced that the match against Chelsea -- with tickets priced from 60-500 dollars -- was a sellout.
Beckham, who moved to Los Angeles last week, injured the ankle while playing for England in a Euro 2008 qualifying game against Estonia in early June and was still suffering the effects when he helped Real Madrid win the Spanish league championship on June 17.He has not played a game since.