USA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - David Beckham nurses ankle in first training session with the L.A. Galaxy

David Beckham, carefully protecting his swollen left ankle, played a low-key role at his first official training session with the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center on Monday (July 16). Watched by a crowd of around 1,000, the England midfielder focused mainly on strengthening exercises and close-range kicking while his new team mates were put through their paces in a full workout. Although Beckham is eager to make his first appearance for the Galaxy in an exhibition match with FA Cup holders Chelsea Saturday (July 21), his new head coach Frank Yallop is adopting a cautious approach, saying Galaxy don't want to put him in any danger of re-injuring it." rence. Beckham, signed by the Galaxy from Real Madrid on a five-year deal worth $32.5 million, twisted his ankle while playing for England against Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifying match in June. He then aggravated it in his final appearance for Real Madrid 11 days later and has undergone regular treatment over the last three weeks. Despite his relatively inactive role in his first Galaxy training session, the former England captain was the headline attraction for the fans crammed mainly into the stadium's grandstand, many of whom wore Beckham shirts. He was greeted by loud roars when he first ran out on to the pitch from the tunnel into bright sunlight, with most his new team mates ahead of him. Wearing golden shirts and navy blue shorts, the entire Galaxy squad jogged around the perimeter of the pitch with Beckham smiling and waving at the crowd for most of the way. As his team mates limbered up before starting their training routines, Beckham broke away to do some stretching and then joined Yallop to practise close-range kicking with his right foot while standing on his left leg. L.A. Galaxy season ticket holder, Irene Aradia, was not shy about sharing why she is so interested in seeing Beckham play. "Because he's cute," laughed Arandia. "And, he's good soccer player for sure, yeah," she added. Chelsea fan James Atteen said that although he was there rooting for the other team, he still values what Beckham will bring to the sport of soccer in the United States. "I'm just excited, um, so that it, it goes up another notch," explained Atteen. "And uh, be at the same level as, um, you know, basketball, baseball. I know it has a long way to get there. But, now it has some kind of a platform, you know." Another younger Beckham said he believed Beckham's greatest contribution lies on what he will do on the field. "Well, his crosses can help Galaxy get some more goals," said Cameron Neal. "I think they need some more. And then his free kicks." A local soccer mom and L.A. Galaxy fan Maryann Razo is certain Beckham's celebrity will bring new fans to the game. "I think more, um, more advertisement to the sport, because he's well-known. I think more people will come out and just see him and then find how exciting the sport is." Another young Beckham fan offered his prediction on how the L.A. Galaxy will do against Chelsea on Saturday. "Three to one," guessed Dean Burgess, wearing a serious expression on his face. "Landon Donovan's going to score two and then Beckham's is going to score one." Meanwhile, Beckham's L.A. Galaxy teammates shared their perspective on the man now wearing the #23 jersey. "I mean obviously, he's, he's definitely a nice guy," midfielder Quavas Kirk said. "I mean he carries himself well. He comes up and, you know, shakes everybody's hand and introduces himself, so he's definitely a nice guy. You know, you quickly get to know a guy like that. You know, he doesn't hide himself from the team, which is good." "We are very excited," said Portuguese defender Abel Xavier. "You can see all the fans are excited. And, of course, this adds more confidence to our team, it is important, you know. I cannot wait to play with him." When asked about Beckham's injured ankle, Kyle Veris expressed cautious optimism about how much time Beckham would actually play for the time minutes . "Uh, I know he's going to try to get forty-five," said Veris referring that he would not support more than one half. "His ankle's still a little bit banged up right now, so we're really not trying to push him too hard. Because you know, to us the season's the most important thing. You know, it would be nice to get him out there for the friendly. But, yeah, the season's more important. So we're just looking to see, make sure he's healthy first of all, and then let him do his thing once he gets out there." The L.A. Galaxy's Saturday (July 21) game against Chelsea is part of a four-team event the Americans decided to call the World Series of Football. ESPN will televise it live and reportedly use nearly 20 cameras to track Beckham's every move.

ITN Source | July 18, 2007

Tags:. .stretching. .perspective. .relatively. .madrid. .exhibition