Beckh finally makes Galaxy debut in 1-0 defeat

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Carson (California) July 22: David Beckham made his long-awaited debut for Los Angeles Galaxy when he came on as a substitute in the 78th minute of exhibition match against Chelsea.

The England midfielder, who has been struggling to recover from an injury to his left ankle, was cheered loudly by the capacity crowd of 27,000 at the Home Depot Center as he ran on to the pitch in place of striker Alan Gordon.

Although his new team were beaten 1-0 by the FA Cup holders, Beckham was delighted to play a late cameo role in front of a packed stadium yesterday.

''It's incredible, that is what we want to achieve,'' the former England captain told ESPN television. ''The atmosphere, the full stadium, it's great.

''It is a great day for the club and it is great to have a club like Chelsea out here.'' His problem ankle was another matter, though.

''I was pleased to get out there but I'm not fit and I haven't trained since I have been out here,'' Beckham said.

''It (the ankle) is sore and it is not going to go away for a week or so.'' Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas told ESPN television: ''It is a long-term process and we want to make sure David is 100 per cent.

BECKHAM CHANCE

''We have games next week, next month and over the next five years. Everyone will get their chance to see David Beckham here and across the country.'' Signed by the Galaxy from Real Madrid on a 32.5 million dollars five-year deal, Beckham had been one of seven substitutes named for the match by Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop.

His pop star wife Victoria watched the action from a corporate suite accompanied by her actress friend Katie Holmes, wife of Tom Cruise.

Other celebrities in the crowd included Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and US actresses Eva Longoria and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Beckham did not appear on the pitch when his Galaxy team mates initially appeared for their pre-match warmup, delaying his arrival until both teams had run out of the tunnel shortly before kickoff.

Accompanied by a security official, the former England captain then made his way to the Galaxy bench with the capacity crowd at the Home Depot Center roaring its approval.

After Beckham sat down next to his fellow substitutes, he was encircled by around 100 photographers desperate to record the moment.

Beckham twisted his ankle playing for his country against Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifying match last month.

He aggravated it in his final appearance for Real 11 days later when his former team clinched the Spanish league title.

Yesterday's game, a sell-out, was the Galaxy's second-highest grossing fixture since the MLS side hosted Real a year ago, with Beckham playing for the opposition.

Reuters





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