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Sunday, October 12, 2008
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4°C
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4°C
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75%
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LA Galaxy have Beckham but scratch Landon Donovan for Whitecaps friendly |
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Written by Dean Bennett, THE CANADIAN PRESS
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Monday, 12 May 2008 |
David Beckham passes through the Edmonton International Airport terminal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
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EDMONTON - David Beckham and his L.A. Galaxy arrived in Alberta's capital Monday ready to play soccer, but minus their shooting star.
The MSL team confirmed late Monday that leading goal scorer Landon Donovan did not make the flight and will not play in Tuesday's friendly against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Commonwealth Stadium (9 p.m. ET).
Donovan suffered a right calf strain in the team's recent weekend game and was held back at coach's discretion, the team confirmed.
Beckham didn't speak to reporters but stopped briefly before jumping on the team bus to sign jerseys and posters from a throng of cheering fans at the Edmonton International Airport.
"Welcome to Edmonton, David. We love you.
" shouted two fans as the 33-year-old star midfielder initially appeared to try to avoid the adoring crush by walking in lockstep behind the team's luggage cart after the team cleared customs.
"I'm thrilled. It's so exciting. He's been my favourite player forever," said Kerri Krawchuk, holding up a box containing a plastic action figure of Beckham that he signed.
It will be round two of the cross-border grudge match.
Last November the squads played to a scoreless draw before more than 48,000 fans at Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium.
But Beckham was then struggling through a miserable injury-filled inaugural season in Major League Soccer. This year he has teamed up with Donovan to tear up the turf in MLS.
They have combined for 11 of the Galaxy's 14 goals and seven of 15 assists. Donovan leads the MLS with eight goals after notching seven in all of 2007.
Beckham, with three goals and four assists, has been twice named league player of the week.
Whitecaps defender Adrian Cann says the game plan is simple: if you don't want Beckham to beat you with his feet, then get in his face.
"I'm just going to try to present myself physically and take it from there," said the 27-year-old Toronto-born player earlier Monday when the Whitecaps arrived at the airport.
It has been a redemption year for Beckham, the one-time Manchester United and Real Madrid star celebrated for his crosses and free kicks. Hampered by knee and ankle injuries last year, he trained hard in the off-season and has not missed a minute of league action in this campaign.
The Galaxy have a 2-3-2 record, good for third place in the Western Division.
Beckham remains the drawing card for the league and the team. The Galaxy website even has its own Beckham-update icon.
The Whitecaps have jumped out to a 2-1 record in the United Soccer Leagues First Divison, paced by Eduardo Sebrango's two goals and four assists.
The 35-year-old Cuban says he's tossing out any notes from the last encounter.
"We're going to focus on ourselves," he said.
"They have a new coach. They may play different, so it's all new to us."
But he doesn't expect another scoreless draw.
"We hope not," he said. "We hope for the fans we score some goals.
"And we win."
Galaxy defender Ante Jazic of Halifax said doctors have cleared him to play at least a half following ankle surgery in December.
"To come back after six month's injury to play in Canada, it's actually quite nice," he said.
"I'm just excited to get back on the field and join my teammates."
Ticket sales have reached 30,000 with organizers hoping the walk-up will match or exceed the B.C. figure. The weather is expected to co-operate - minor clouds and a high of 17 C are forecast.
Beckham is under contract to play 45 minutes in Edmonton, but it appears Toronto fans will have to wait a little longer to see him in person.
He has been named to the English squad for a May 28 international friendly at Wembley Stadium and then for one in Trinidad and Tobago on June 1.
That means he will not likely be available to suit up for the Galaxy against Toronto FC on May 31, though he might be there for the MLS all-star game on July 24.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 08 October 2008 )
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