There is news today off the L.A. Galaxy training ground, where David Beckham and Landon Donovan both participated in the team’s Home Depot Center session.
Both players missed yesterday’s 2-2 draw up the coast in San Jose.
While there may be speculation that one or both could play against Seattle in this week’s season finale, even with Sounders midfielder Brad Evans talking about making “statements” and such in the match, is there really any reason for either man to appear?
The contest with Seattle is set for Sunday. That’s just three nights before the Galaxy hosts Vancouver in one of two knockout matches that night – in the “new” MLS first-round, where No. 4 hosts No. 5 in each conference.
Beckham experienced what the team called ankle soreness late last week, so he missed the trip to California. Donovan’s case is more concerning as he deals with a knee injury that kept him out of the last two U.S. national team matches, not to mention Sunday’s match against San Jose.
(MORE: L.A.’s Omar Gonzalez calls San Jose’s style “embarrassing”)
Yes, one could argue that Donovan and Beckham could use a match to gain some sharpness, to get the feel for game-speed, etc.
But does anybody really think the former England captain and the U.S. national team’s all-time leading scorer have forgotten about “game speed?” Because I sure don’t.
Besides that, there will be a quick turn-around for the Wednesday winners, so asking Beckham and Donovan to play in the regular season finale could possibly mean asking them to play three times over seven days. Anyone like that idea? (I mean, of course, anyone who isn’t a fan of a potential opponent.)
