The team with the best record in Major League Soccer's (MLS) Western
Conference, the Los Angeles Galaxy, was in the nation's capital Sunday
to take on the hottest team in the league, DC United. A season high
36,000 fans were at RFK Stadium to see how English star David Beckham
and his Galaxy teammates would fare. Chris Cox has a report.
It
was a big win for the home team, as DC United won its fourth straight
match, topping the LA Galaxy in a hot and humid midday game, 4-1.
Beckham
was outplayed by United's Brazilian forward Luciano Emilio. Emilio,
the reigning MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP), scored two goals and had
one assist in the win. The two goals give Emilio 10 on the season, one
behind league-leader Landon Donovan of the Galaxy.
United Head Coach Tom Soehn was pleased with the way his exciting forward played.
"You
know, he's very opportunistic at this point," said Tom Soehn. "He
created a lot of chances. He could've had a few today, he had a
couple, but again it goes as the team goes. If we're doing well as a
team, he's going to benefit from it."
Donovan's only highlight
of the game was one that he would like to forget. He was hit in the
nose with a forearm from United player Marcelo Gallardo, who later
scored to give the United a 3-1 lead. Each player was assessed a
yellow card after the play. That play brought an emotional reaction
from Galaxy Head Coach Ruud Gullit.
"He [Gallardo] scored the
third goal," said Ruud Gullit. "He's supposed to be off the field, off
the pitch [with a red card]. You know there was blood coming out of
his [Donovan's] nose. Gallardo excuses [apologized] also to me because
he knew he was lucky to stay on the pitch. I blame also a little bit
the fourth official because it's ridiculous, it was just in front of
him. If he has no authority what's the point of having him there.
Beckham got a mixed reaction from the Washington fans but says he's used to it.
"I've
had a lot worse, but you know that's part of the game," said David
Beckham. "It's part of the atmosphere, part of soccer. You know, it's
the same all around the world. When you play away from home the fans
are less friendly all the time, that's the way it is. You know you
accept that and you get on with it. If you win the game you enjoy it."
Beckham
did admit his Galaxy club was outplayed by DC United. After an
injury-plagued 2007 season, the popular star said he realizes his
impact on the game and how playing a full season will help MLS.
"I've
played more minutes this year compared to last year," he said. "You
know, it's great that the people and the fans turn out, because it's
great for the game, it's great for the MLS, and it's good to play in
that kind of atmosphere. So, yeah, it was nice to obviously see the
amount of fans that turned out today, but I wish the result had been
better for us."
There was emotional moment for D.C. United fans
as their favorite and locker room leader Ben Olsen took the field in
the 75th minute. Playing his first match of the season after
recovering from an ankle injury, Olsen took the field to a standing
ovation and Coach Soehn said his return is a good sign.
"Well he
trained the whole week, and it's important to get Benny back in the
mix, he's been out since November," he said. "Everybody knows how
valuable he is to us. We just to keep bringing him along slowly and
surely."
Next up for David Beckam and the LA Galaxy will be a
home game on the Fourth of July, as they will take on the first place
team in the Eastern Conference - the New England Revolution.
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