Beckham Returns To Cameras And Boos

By Catherine Wylie at Giant's Stadium NJ

David Beckham returned to the LA Galaxy and MLS last Thursday night, after a six month loan to AC Milan, at the Giant's Stadium against the New York Red Bulls.

All eyes were on the Englishman as he donned the number 23 shirt for the first time this season, and not long after Landon Donovan publicly questioned his commitment to the team.

In a very forgettable game in which the football was of a poor standard, Beckham wasn't given many opportunities to shine.

It was his rival, Donovan, who in fact played into the hands of the atmospheric crowd by scoring one goal and assisting another.

Beckham, who was taken off in the 70th minute, faced an onslaught of negative chants and boos from the New York Red Bulls' supporters throughout the game.

However, admiration for Beckham largely prevailed as the crowd was awash with camera flashes any time he had the ball, and particularly when he was about to take free kicks from near the sideline.

Tensions heightened in the crowd between an English Beckham fan and a Red Bulls' supporter, prompting event staff to become involved in the heated exchange. The crowd of 23,238 included a considerable amount of English fans, and despite the booing, innumerable number 23 shirts could be spotted in the terraces.

In a press conference after the game, Beckham answered questions regarding his future plans and commitment to LA Galaxy, but the mood was notably different to when he first moved to the team.

Beckham, on Thursday night, was no longer a hero to soccer. To many, he had betrayed his team and his fans but he insisted that he did not have to apologize to Galaxy ticket holders. "I am dedicated to my fans," he said.

Beckham made it clear that he does want to represent England in the World Cup in 2010, but also wants to remain committed to LA Galaxy.

A tough and ambitious plan one may argue, as the England management team has told Beckham that if he is to make it onto the England World Cup squad, he must return to the elite level of European football.

"I want to be involved in the World Cup, I've not hidden that fact," he said. "Whenever I'm called up for a squad with my country, I will turn up. It doesn't matter. I've always done the same throughout my whole career."

However, he made no bones about reinforcing his commitment to Galaxy: "I'm committed to this. I'm committed to Bruce. I'm committed to the players. I'm committed to the MLS as an ambassador."

Perhaps that was yet another response to Landon Donovan's remarks about Beckham's lack of commitment to the team and to the players.

Beckham referred to Donovan's comment as "unprofessional" and made the point that no player should ever speak publicly in a negative way about a team mate.

Ever the diplomat, Beckham congratulated Donovan warmly after his goal, with a lingering arm around him, a whisper in his ear and a cheeky slap on the bottom.

Obviously determined to show the world that football is what is important to him and he isn't prepared to get caught up in a war of petty words, he said, "My career and my whole life has been about soccer. Nothing else. Yeah, I have the advertising and the appearances, but not once in my whole 17-year career have I let anything get in the way. So not once have I stepped out of that zone of my first job as a soccer player. Nothing else."

Hopefully for Beckham's sake, he will get more chances to show of his world-class talent in up and coming games in MLS if he is to realize his dream of acquiring more caps in the World Cup.