July 05, 2007
Do The Galaxy Know Something We Don't?
For a number of months now, Soccer fans all across the U.S. have been buzzing at the prospect of David Beckham's imminent debut with the LA Galaxy of MLS. But if you've already put down cash expecting to see Beckham once he hits North America, you might be in for a rude surprise.
Buried inside a Darren Rovell column on Tiger Woods' failure to show up for a golf tournament in Michigan -- and like most sensible folks I'm willing to give Woods a break for skipping it to be present for the birth of his first baby -- is an aside that should have soccer fans thinking twice:
I wonder if anyone who bought tickets to the Buick Open this weekend could claim they bought it because of this ad from weeks ago and try to get their money back. It features Tiger Woods and Woods isn’t playing because of the birth of his daughter. It doesn’t promise that Tiger Woods will be there, but it also doesn’t say “Not guaranteed to appear” either. On an interesting note, the Los Angeles Galaxy have added David Beckham non-guarantees to its Ticketmaster site.
In other words folks, Mr. Beckham may be called back to the Continent for duty with the England National Team, so be sure to check that squad's schedule before you buy your tickets -- not that the bulk of the casual Soccer fans who are scooping up tickets in anticipation of Beckham's arrival are even thinking about it.
With this in mind, you might want to take a gander at the remaining fixtures on the England schedule and then take a look at the Galaxy schedule.
After taking a look at those England fixtures, here are the games where it seems like there may be a possible conflict between possible national team duties and matches with the Galaxy:
8/22 England vs. Germany, Wembley
may conflict with ...
8/23 vs. Chivas USA
9/8 England vs. Israel, Wembley and 9/12 vs. Russia, TBD
may conflict with ...
9/8 vs. Colorado Rapids and 9/13 @ Chivas USA
10/13, England vs. Estonia, TBD and 10/17, England @ Russia, TBD
may conflict with ...
10/13 vs. Toronto FC and 10/18 vs. New York Red Bulls
I don't have any doubt that Beckham takes his place with the Galaxy seriously and is relishing the chance to help grow the game in America. But he's already said he wants to lead England to Euro 2008. With that in mind, and in light of the news Rovell leaked about the Beckham "non-guarantee", it's a case of caveat emptor for American Soccer fans.
Thanks to Sports Law Blog for the pointer.
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Interesting! Didn't even consider that angle.
Posted by:
at July 5, 2007 09:36 PM
Actually if you notice all of the games are home games. MLS specifically set up the schedule with this in mind so that everybody would get at least one chance to see him as he makes his grand US tour. The only away game that might conflict is against Chivas USA which isn't really an away game as they share the Home Depot Center with LA. The more interesting question is what happens if he gets injured or even red carded.
Posted by:
at July 6, 2007 12:55 AM
I never thought I'd ever say this, but good for the Galaxy and/or TicketMaster. It probably has more to do with injuries than being called up. He's nursing a sore ankle and may be susceptible to re-injury if he's rushed back into action. That would be a shame for all those circus-viewers.
Posted by:
at July 6, 2007 09:03 AM
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