OK, I'll be the first to admit this might look a little soft considering I write for the MLS Web site and am paid (bucket loads) by the league.
But I just finished watching David Beckham's return to the Eng-er-land squad Friday afternoon against Brazil, and our boy looks like there is plenty left in the old tank.
There have been times in recent years where I have watched him play and thought that he was definitely on the downward slope of his career. While he never lost his touch, I wasn't sure how much he could - or wanted to - run anymore, for instance.
But Friday night at the new Wem-ber-ly Stadium across the pond in front of a packed house Becks was one of the best players on the field, period. Oh, did I mention that includes a Brazilian side that boasted some guys named Kaka, Robinho and some other long-haired dude with big teeth - Ronald something or other?
His magical right foot was on fire, whether it was a dead ball that just missed the left post early on or his perfect, swerving ball that found the head of John Terry, who finally scored another goal.
But the right foot was never in question. It was the rest of him I wondered about - as do many others - and he impressed. While allegedly playing on the right flank, Becks was everywhere, whether tracking back to mark, which he did often, or pulling the strings for the Eng-er-land offense (yes, kind of an oxymoron these days) from the center of the park.
Becks played about 75 minutes and still looked fleet of foot late, and has to have played himself into the starting XI for their Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia on Wednesday. Then again, this is Steve McClaren we are talking about, so you never know. I could get called in.
Now, as for those that think an England recall is bad for MLS and the Galaxy, can I ask one, very harmless, understated question: Are you absolutely nuts?
OK, he might miss an extra game here or there for Euro qualifiers and obviously would be out for the tournament next summer, but c'mon.
Suddenly you have the reinvigorated Beckham pulling the strings for the English national team once again - while playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.
The credibility that would bring to the league - that this is an in-form Becks as opposed to an end-of-career Becks - is worth much more than having him around a couple of extra games.
Yes, the Galaxy will have to fight with the FA to make sure that the games Becks plays for Eng-er-land are necessary. You mean a club and country arguing over players? Welcome to international football. This league is getting better players, so you better get used to it.
But what this recall - and Beckham's marvelous performance against the star-studded Brazilians in a 1-1 draw - means is the world sees that Major League Soccer is not a place for late-career holidays, but where national team stars are beginning to ply their trade.
Maybe the only thing I am more impressed with than Becks' performance - outside of Posh's outfit at the game - is the television lineup for the next week. Are you kidding me?
Saturday you have a full slate of MLS matches, topped off with United and the Galaxy here on Planet LA.
But have the Tivo running, because there is tons of international footie all day, highlighted by Bob Bradley's lads against China on The Deuce up in San Jose, future home of the Earthquakes. One day.
But there is plenty more, as Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta Sports both have nice slates of Euro 2008 qualifiers, from the intriguing (France-Ukraine and Latvia-Spain) to the ridiculous (Germany-San Marino).
Oh, and Telemundo has Mexico-Iran. You know who to cheer for. Can you believe those sore losers from south of the 2-0 Border booed and taunted our Miss USA in the Miss Universe pageant the other night?
OK, our girl hasn't exactly mastered the tricky art of walking, as she wiped out right on stage, but still ... I'm just glad Blanco or Borgetti didn't run out and two-foot her, which wouldn't have surprised anyone.
There is plenty more Sunday, with MLS tilts featuring the battle of Texas and the Crew taking their turn to smack around the helpless Fire.
Oh, that night, catch Entourage. This episode will make you laugh if you love the show.
During the week the fun continues, with exhibitions like Brazil-Turkey and then Wednesday's new slew of Euro qualifiers highlighted by Estonia-England.
Suddenly it will be Thursday and a little something called Gold Cup, with the Yanks against Guatemala out here at The Home Depot Center.
Wow, huh? We should have a contest to see who gains the most weight from sitting doing nothing for the next week.
Two other things before I go - first on a non-soccer note, I snuck into a preview screening (Planet LA term) for the new movie, "Knocked Up." Go see it, trust me.
And finally, Tuesday night U.S. Soccer is dedicating Field Number One out here at the National Training Center to the late great Glenn "Mooch" Myernick. Afterwards, there is an invite-only, VIP fundraiser featuring me, uh, I mean Drew Carey, and a bunch of national team players.
On the docket is a big FIFA '07 X-Box showdown where Drew Carey will take on Landon and some other players, which as much as $100,000 of ABC and CBS's money, currently held by Carey thanks to his countless TV gigs, going to Mooch's fund.
Don't worry if you can't get a ticket, your old pal Tino will figure out a way to get in and try to wrangle us some details.
During the season, The Clean Sheet runs each week on MLSnet. Views and opinions expressed in this column views and opinions are the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com. Send any questions and comments to tcsresponses@yahoo.com
