Donovan vs Beckham

July 15, 2009

On the eve of his return to the Los Angeles Galaxy, David Beckham reaffirmed his commitment to Major League Soccer during a press conference at the team hotel Wednesday afternoon. "I'm very dedicated to the Galaxy, I'm dedicated to the fans," Beckham said. "I've always been very positive and very honest with my play here and also when I went to Milan, I explained to everyone the reasoning behind it. I said to the players and I said to the manager that I would be coming back. Maybe one or two didn't believe me, but at the end of the day I'm here, I'm committed to the team."

It was the third stop of a media tour for Beckham, which included television appearances on NBC's "Today Show" and "Live with Regis and Kelly." He answered a bevy of questions, most involving his decision to go on loan with Milan and the strong likelihood that he will again go on loan ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which could be his last chance to play on the world's stage.
"The England manager has made it very clear to me I need to be playing at a European level," Beckham said. "I'll always regret it if I didn't do everything to give myself the chance to be involved in that."
Time and again, the midfielder, who is the most capped outfield player in England history, said Major League Soccer, and the Galaxy especially, remain a major priority.
"I'm a very honest person," Beckham said. "If I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't. I've always been committed to every contract I've had as a soccer player -- Manchester United, Real Madrid, Galaxy and that doesn't change. I'm a very committed person. If people want to question my professionalism and also my commitment, what I will say about that is the fact that I'm willing to travel thousands of miles to play for my country says it all."

Beckham also addressed his relationship with Galaxy star Landon Donovan, who criticized Beckham in a newly published book. Beckham said the two ironed things out at The Home Depot Center following the Galaxy's 1-0 win against Chivas USA in the SuperClasico Saturday night.
"It was actually the manager that brought us together," Beckham said. "We knew that we had to speak once we were back in the same country. ... We sat down, went through everything. Landon apologized and I told him my view on things and it's forgot about."
For Beckham, it is just the latest bit of criticism he's received in his 17-year career.
"I've been criticized by Pelé before," Beckham said. "I've been criticized by George Best before. And these are people I've respected for my entire career, people I look up to. At the end of the day, it's about the criticism and how it affects you and it doesn't affect me."
As for Beckham's influence on the Galaxy, Los Angeles boss Bruce Arena expects it to be nothing but a positive for both his team and Major League Soccer.
"I think if we're going to grow this league we need to grow this league with a good plan in mind and have the ability to attract players of David's visibility," Arena said. "I think David Beckham has only been a plus for the league and I firmly believe when it's all said and done, he's going to be a real plus for the Galaxy."

Beckham, who trained with the Galaxy for the first time this season on Monday in Los Angeles, will make his return Thursday night against the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium. It is unclear if Beckham will start or how much time he might see in the match.
Regardless, Beckham said he is enthused about what he's seen from the Galaxy this season.
"It's exciting to see some of the young kids who are coming through," he said. "The game over the weekend was a big game. It's always nice to win those games. I think the manager has agreed that in the first half we looked compact and strong and the second half was a bit messy, but it shows the character of the team that when there was tough times in the game, we came through."

According to Arena, Beckham will boost the Galaxy whenever the famous bender of free kicks steps onto the field.
"I think David will offer us a lot on the field as well as off," Arena said. "The team's been very excited to have David return and obviously over the next couple of weeks, as David starts to get back into form, I think he's going to make a fabulous contribution on the field. He comes in at the right time to help us get a little bit better in the midfield. I believe he will do that and he'll be nothing but a positive addition."






Note from Major League Soccer