DAVID BECKHAM!!! DAVID BECKHAM!!!

Yes! The man who made his Los Angeles Galaxy debut this past Saturday night despite a sore ankle. Beckham entered the game in the 78th minute of the game with his team down 1-0.  Beckham got his first touch a few minutes later stopping the ball at midfield and launching it down field to one of his teammates.

A big scare came over the crowd in extended time when Beckham took the ball at midfield, dribbled to the center and was tripped up by a Chelsea defender. He went to the ground for a few seconds but got right up and finished the game. The ankle hampered Beckham in his 13 minutes of play but it was a very successful premier of one of the worlds most recognized athletes.

Soccer isn’t that big in the state but this game made me sit on my couch Saturday afternoon and watch the entire thing waiting for him to enter the game. The sold out crowd with celebrities and all present gave Beckham a great ovation once he entered the game.  

Beckham could have not played due to his ankle but the media hype was so much that he had to. The $250 million dollar man had to do something to not let the crowd and his new American fans down. He played as much as he could and did the best he could on a bad wheel.

I want to commend Beckham for his effort. A star that makes that much money could have just sat out and used it as an excuse not to play. But he knew the situation; he risked further injury and played in front of his new hometown fans. Beckham is not your typical athlete. He was disowned by Real Madrid and told he was washed up, making his move to America a little easier.

Beckham has been a winner his whole career from 1996 when he started with Manchester United to 36 days ago when he won a title with Real. Now he is in the MLS where he will make the Galaxy the toughest American soccer club and lead them to a title. Probably more than one in the next five years.

I just wanted to acknowledge his efforts in a country that is so drawn to controversial athletes and the trouble that surrounds them. He didn’t do what Kobe, A-Rod, or even Payton would have done which is not play in a exhibition of they were hurt. Shoot Kobe could even play for his own country last year in the Championships.

Beckham will boost this sport to a new level in the USA for sure. It’s a sports most of us as kids begin our sports careers on and a sport that our country should start to embrace!