David Beckham set to return, but do the Galaxy really need him?

By: Bob | October 15th, 2007

In a league where eight of the 13 teams make the playoffs, a team has to work very hard at sucking not to be in the playoff picture towards the end of the season. For most of this year, the LA Galaxy not only worked hard at sucking, they nearly perfected it. The silver bullet that was David Beckham came and went with an injury and so did the Galaxy’s playoff chances.

That was then. This is now. Los Angeles has won five straight. In a testament to the mediocrity of the teams in the middle of the MLS table, the Galaxy are still very much alive in the chase for one of the two remaining playoff spots. An interesting turn of events made even more interesting by the news that Beckham is likely to return this week for their final two games according to his coach Frank Yallop.

Now the Galaxy face a New York team whose star has helped it to the playoffs. With that on the line for the Galaxy, Beckham could make a major contribution.

“We’re going to start preparing to play our big game on Thursday,” Yallop said. “We didn’t want the burden all on his shoulders. We’re excited to get him back and healthy. The knee had taken a bit more time than we’d hoped, but it’s getting better.”

With the way LA has been playing with Beckham sitting in the stands, one has to wonder if they should even think about playing the dude. They haven’t needed him the past five games and even if he is used as a second half sub he could actually be more of a disruptive force than an asset. Putting aside the off the field hysteria/distractions that his mere presence creates, a Beckham coming off an injury who isn’t game fit could throw off the mojo the Gals have been able to create of late. Or he could add to it.

A few months ago it would have seemed absurd to think that there would even be a debate about whether Beckham should be used by the Galaxy. That will be just one subplot in what is shaping up to be a very interesting final week of the 2007 MLS regular season.

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Category: MLS, World Football

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Todd

I really doubt the next Tom Brady (of world soccer) is sitting on the bench of the LA Galaxy behind David Beckham. Nonetheless, point taken...
cr

well... it did happen to Drew Bledsoe.
Todd Pounds

-Would the Pittsburgh Penguins want Mario Lemiuex or Sidney Crosby to come back after being out of the lineup injured for 60 games even if they were winning?
-Would the NE Patriots want Tom Brady back in the lineup even if they were winning without him after an 8 week injury?
Charlton Heston

It's pretty sad that we are having this discussion; should DB play or not. If these grown professional LAG players can't overcome the distraction then why are they on the roster?
colman1860

The LA Galaxy grinded out a 2-1 victory against us lowly (10 man) Torontonians, scoring a very offside-suspicious goal to win the game. There can be no discussion about whether they need goldenballs or not.
Matt

Bad form Joe, does a league that isn't recognizable to half of the citizens of it's country want that problem AND the problems of the Italian soccer federation? While Becks in the playoffs would be great for the MLS, a scandal like in Serie A would be the death of the MLS. The MLS has attracted football fans that usually watch other leagues and wrote it off as a "Mickey Mouse League" in the past AND some Joe America's, BUT they would lose both of these new fans with a problem like that. If Garber was to do any inside dealings at all, he should slap Lalas and the rest of the Galaxy leadership for being incredibly stupid putting David Beckham and 9 1/2 dopes around him.
Joe

And if Garber wants to emulate the top leagues in South America and Europe, he'll assign a referee that will be "friendly" towards the Galaxy and guide them to whatever result is necessary to get them into the playoffs. At this stage, I wouldn't put it past MLS and think it's actually very likely and probably the right thing to do for the league .
Lucas

Greg Garber is currently on his knees praying to every god he can think of that LA get into the playoffs with a healthy Beckham.
Ian

Regardless of their fantastic recent form, I don't think many players on the Galaxy team would tell you they're better without David Beckham. As Shane said, if only for a few passes a game, and even the THREAT of one of his free kicks, he's worth having. And if he comes into any sort of form, he'll be a huge addition. I don't think he'll take any mojo away, and he might add a huge amount.
Shane

I didn't see LA get a good Beckham range FK in the last game. No doubt his passing will be an improvement. Cobi didn't impress me last game.