Beckham's MLS debut on hold

TORONTO: There were several David Beckham and Posh Spice impersonators strolling the terraces of BMO Field but no sign of the genuine article on the pitch as the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC battled to a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

Beckham, who told a news conference on Saturday that he was not fit to play, was true to his word, watching the match from the team bench in a dark blue suit.

When Beckham stunned the soccer world this year by moving from Spanish giants Real Madrid to the Galaxy in a five-year deal that could net him up to $250 million, the game against Toronto FC was targeted as his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut.

But a nagging ankle injury sustained playing for England in June, has limited Beckham to a brief cameo appearance in a Galaxy uniform, a friendly against Chelsea on July 21.

The 32-year-old midfielder has since struggled for fitness, spending most of his time in the treatment room and the gym.

While there was no hiding the disappointment of Beckham's absence, the Toronto FC hardly needed the former England captain to sell tickets, the club having sold out every game this season to lead MLS in attendance figures.

MLS commissioner Don Garber made the trip to Toronto, only to watch Beckham remain anchored to the bench.

"There's a lot of anticipation, we look forward to him (Beckham) getting on the field and satisfying a lot of fans waiting for him to put on the boots and play some soccer," Garber told reporters.

"This is a long five-year deal and while we're all frustrated, I know David is the most frustrated, but people will forget about these handful of games that he misses when he hits the field."

Beckham leaves Toronto with no set date for a return to action, saying he needed another week to 10 days to reach match fitness.

The Galaxy plays D.C. United on Thursday and three days later travel to Foxboro to face the New England Revolution.

Los Angeles completes its four-game road trip against the New York Red Bulls on August 18, a contest that is looking increasingly like Beckham's MLS coming out party.

The former Manchester United player, however, could also be fit to play in a Superliga match against D.C. United at the club's home ground on August 15.

If Beckham can get into the Galaxy lineup in the next 10 days he could also put himself into consideration for England's friendly against Germany at Wembley Stadium on August 22.

"All that is on my mind at the moment is getting myself fit," Beckham told reporters. "If I'm fit, obviously I have to play a few games before I can even think of going home to England to play for my country."

Agencies

(China Daily 08/07/2007 page24)