LA Galaxy vs. AC Milan - July 19, 2009

It has just be revealed on Sky Sports News, that part of the deal which was struck between LA Galaxy and AC Milan, was for them to play each other in an exhibition match on July, 19 2009.

No doubt David will play one half for each team.

I am so jealous that you guys in LA will get to see that game live. It sounds like it'll be a lot of fun.

In a statement made today David said:

"I'm really grateful to the LA Galaxy and AC Milan for making this dream deal happen."

"It allows me to play for AC Milan and the LA Galaxy in the same year, and at the same time to continue my commitment to develop soccer in the United States, which is something I am passionate about."

"My family is happy and settled and will remain in LA."

"The perfect result for 2009 would be for me to help Milan to reach the Champions League and for the LA Galaxy to make the play-offs and win the MLS Cup."

Speculations over, Victoria and the kids will stay in LA, which frankly makes a lot of sense for the time being.

AC Milan & LA Galaxy Agree A Deal To Share David Beckham

An agreement has been reached for David Beckham to remain with AC Milan until the end of the Serie A season - May 31 -, before returning to LA Galaxy until the end of October.

He will then return to Milan in November at the end of the American season in order to play a second year in Italy.

Reports suggest Beckham has agreed a salary cut and has partially funded the move himself in order to stay with Milan.

LA Galaxy Speak

The LA Galaxy has said that no agreement has been finalized, but the organization is ready to move on without David, at least until the summer.

"I think the best thing we can do is prepare as we have been," veteran Chris Klein said.

"Go with the guys we have right now. That's kind of how we've looked at it the whole pre-season. We'll continue to do that and prepare for the regular season the best we can."

David Beckham To STAY At AC Milan Until 31 May

David Beckham was due to report to LA Galaxy on March 9, but he will now remain with AC Milan until the Italian season ends on May 31, the LA Times reports.

David's first appearance of the season with the Galaxy would be on July 18 in New York. Beckham would remain under contract with the Galaxy until the end of this calendar year, when his buyout clause takes effect. He then would be free to return to AC Milan.

Financial terms of the proposal are unknown, but the Galaxy earlier had asked $10 million from AC Milan for the outright purchase of Beckham. Milan had said it would pay no more than $3 million, since he could become available anyway after the MLS season.

Chikako has informed me that this has been announced on LA's local news stations, and Chikako, has also noticed LA Galaxy dropped photos of David from their website.

I think it is now impossible to return mid-season. The fans will be furious.

LA Galaxy Await A Decison On Beckham Before Setting Ticket Prices

LA Galaxy's opponents are putting the prices for their visit on hold until it's known that David Beckham will definitely return to the United States for the 2009 season after his loan with AC Milan.

Tim Leiweke, president of AEG and Galaxy owner said: "We have every team in the league sitting there waiting for some clarification on whether David is going to be with the Galaxy or not."

According to ESPN, MLS television ratings were 67 per cent higher for games featuring Beckham in 2007 and 22 per cent higher in 2008 than for non-Beckham matches.

ESPN have put their 2009 MLS advertising campaign on hold until they know whether Beckham will return next month.

Beckham's presence has virtually guaranteed a best-of-season attendances for opponents with a record 66,237 at Giants Stadium for his 2007 appearance.

The Galaxy's average away attendance last year was almost 10,000 per game higher than any other MLS team.

For me this is a clear indication that this whole saga is more about money than the player himself, which I think is quite sad for David, and maybe one of the reasons he wants to leave.

David Beckham Will Return To LA Galaxy

David Beckham will be back with the Galaxy rather than staying with AC Milan, it was reported today.

Tim Leiweke, chief executive of AEG, which owns the Galaxy, said that AC Milan failed to meet Major League Soccer's deadline Friday for making a better offer to keep David.

Leiweke said that "no later offers would be considered and David will be back on the March 9 and we don't want to entertain any more conversations now. It is a distraction to [Galaxy Coach] Bruce Arena, the team and the fans and we move on. That's the last we're going to talk about this".

I think this is really sad. David has made it quite clear he wants to stay, and he will return to Galaxy without his heart being in the game. I honestly believe that the only thing that will keep him going now, is the 2010 World Cup.

LA Galaxy Beat The Oceania All-Stars

David Beckham dazzled an adoring crowd without scoring a goal in the Los Angeles Galaxy's 3-0 exhibition win over Oceania XI on Saturday.

Beckham produced many of his trademark touches - brilliant crosses or passes into the penalty area - as the Galaxy won comfortably after scoring three goals in the first half. Beckham was eventually substituted, but his mere presence thrilled a near capacity crowd of 20,000 at Auckland's Mt. Smart Stadium.

"It was great," Beckham said. "Obviously I enjoyed playing in a different part of the world. The supporters enjoyed the game as I did."

An early volley by Beckham forced former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich to make a magnificent save.

Jirvan Korvosky scored the Galaxy's opening goal shortly afterward and Alan Gordon immediately made it 2-0. Midfielder Brandon McDonald made it 3-0 in the 30th minute but the Oceania XI, a squad combining players from throughout the South Pacific, lifted its game to prevent the Galaxy from scoring again.

David was particularly looking forward with his tussle with Edgar Davids, and it looks like he got the better of him.



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David Beckham Arrives In Auckland

David Beckham arrived in Auckland on Wednesday morning to a big welcome before LA Galaxy's game in Auckland on Saturday.

A tired looking Beckham stood surrounded by his team-mates as they were greeted by a rousing haka party and about 200 fans when the LA Galaxy landed at Auckland International Airport about 5.30am.

David posed for a team photograph and signed a few autographs before the team were whisked off to their Auckland hotel - The Westin.

Coach Bruce Arena says they're encouraging players to explore the city, so there could be plenty of Beckham spotting to come.

The 19-strong Galaxy team will play a friendly match against the Oceania All-Stars in Auckland on Saturday night.

Click here to see a video of David's arrival.



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Galaxy Draw Their Last Game Of The Season

David Beckham helped LA Galaxy to a 2-2 draw with FC Dallas in his final MLS game before his January move to AC Milan.

He is due to play two more exhibition games for the Galaxy and then hopes to begin a loan period in Italy alongside the likes of Ronaldinho and Kaka at the San Siro.

David made his first appearance in the States since being on England duty and serving a disciplinary suspension.

He responded by providing the cross from which Edson Buddle put Galaxy in front with a firm header.

Dallas fought back to take the lead with goals from Drew Moor and Victor Sikora. But a 79th minute Landon Donovan penalty squared the match.

It was Donovan's 20th goal of the season, making him as the top scorer in the MLS.

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The Milan, Beckham, Galaxy Saga Continues

LA Galaxy chief Bruce Arena does not want David Beckham to join AC Milan on loan in January.

The Serie A club revealed yesterday they are in talks with the midfielder, who has been told by England coach Fabio Capello he must be playing regularly if he is to win his 108th cap against Spain in February.

If Beckham does appear in that friendly, David will join Bobby Moore as England's most capped outfield player.

Given that Galaxy's season ends on Sunday and the new MLS campaign is not until April, a move to the San Siro would see Beckham meet Capello's demands.

But Arena fears the effects of playing in Italy could leave Beckham drained when he returns to Los Angeles.

"On the surface, it sounds like an odd proposition," said the club's general manager and head coach.

"I don't see where that benefits MLS or the Galaxy."

"The first I heard about it was yesterday but I would think given the position the Galaxy are in and the fact we're rebuilding our team, it would seem odd if we were loaning out our top players at the start of the season."

If the move takes place it would happen after Galaxy's tour of New Zealand and Australia in December and Beckham would remain in Italy until the American side start pre-season training in March.

Beckham is two seasons into a five-year deal and MLS commissioner Don Garber stressed any switch would only be on a short-term basis.

Garber said: "David remains an LA Galaxy player and will be here for the start of the 2009 MLS season."

I just don't know what to make of this anymore, so I will just wait to see what happens, but if they stand in Beckham's way, this could spell the end of this MLS career, imo.

The Beckhams Are Milan Bound

As blogged earlier in the week David Beckham will be moving back to Europe. Milan to be precise.

Both sides said today the deal was still not finalised, but the aim was that Beckam would join in January for two month loan.

He will need to return to the United States for their new soccer season in April, but I would prefer that the deal be made permanent.

The planned deal was disclosed by Adriano Galliani, the AC Milan president, who said: "He will be a club player for a few months and then leave. Beckham chose Milan."

"Our team is ultra competitive and will remain so but Beckham is something different and intriguing. AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti added: 'For me it would be a pleasure to have Beckham here, he is a serious athlete, a great professional. If he were available for months we would be very happy."

David is determined to keep his place in the national team and a spell on loan in Europe during the close of the Major League Soccer close season will help him to maintain his fitness for the national side.

Here he is training with his Galaxy team yesterday.



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David Beckham Plays Golf for Charity

David Beckham with fellow Los Angeles Galaxy players hit the golf course to make money for Charity on Monday.

The event was held at Industry Hills Golf Course at Pacific Palms Resort. Galaxy team members and local celebrities played in teams with those who registered and all the money raised went to support the LA Galaxy Foundation.



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Galaxy Lose Against Columbus

The Galaxy lost 1-0 to Columbus Crew yesterday.

The Galaxy have just one win in their last 15 matches despite the presence of international stars David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Eddie Lewis.

Saturday's loss means LA will miss the playoffs a third straight season.

Other bad news is that David will miss the next Galaxy game as he received his 5th card of the season.

Sourec

Galaxy Lose To Chicago Fire

After the 3-1 defeat in Chicago David Beckham said "We need to pick it up because we are running out of opportunities. Our confidence was maybe too high going into this game."

The Galaxy entered the game hoping to capitalize on the outcome from Saturday's win, but they were playing a team that had been embarrassed defensively four days earlier. The Fire were coming off a 5-1 loss to FC Dallas, giving up more than two goals for the first time all season.



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