Beckham, Galaxy Succumb to Chicago Fire, Out Of MLS Playoffs
David Beckham has just finished his first season with the Los Angeles Galaxy in a setback. His team failed to reach the play-offs for the second season in a row losing 1-0 to the Chicago Fire over the weekend in front of a packed crowd of around 21,000 at Toyota Park Stadium.
That leaves the international superstar with playing only five
games and no goals under his belt.
Evidently, things did not go to the former Real Madrid star, who has been struggling with an ankle injury. David Beckham will have to wait another six months before the new season of Major League
Soccer begins in April.
So the big question is what went wrong to the Los Angeles Galaxy?
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder admitted that his arrival from Real Madrid back in July became a distraction from his teammates. “To go through what the players went through when I arrived, and before I arrived, was difficult to adjust, but they showed character in the last six, seven games. No one expected us to be in this position today like we were, so it shows that we have character.” David Beckham said.
In addition, the team struggled with pressure from the attention they got from the fans, media and opposing teams since acquiring the 32-year-old midfielder. Are we talking about fuss of team chemistry here? Coach Frank Yallop said, “It’s not easy. You’re under the microscope the whole time since we signed David, I’m not saying it’s David’s fault or anything, but you are under the microscope as a team.”
“I think we struggled with it to start, but I think in the end we did get rid of the pressure, and we just played,” he added.
Beckham is hoping to get into the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia in November. The Los Angeles Galaxy will play two exhibition games in Australia on Nov. 27 and in New Zealand on Dec. 1.
“I’m a person who likes to train and work every day. I’ve never had more than three weeks off in the summer,” said Beckham.
“I’m not going to know what to do with myself. I’ll be keeping on training and keeping fit no matter what,” he added.
