Despite all the attention and hoopla surrounding just the possibility of David Beckham's first Major League soccer appearance, D.C. United are preparing for Thursday night's sold-out and nationally televised match with the Los Angeles Galaxy at RFK Stadium (7 p.m. ET; ESPN2) as they would any other.
Though Beckham is doubtful for the match still nursing an ailing left ankle, United are keenly aware that this is not just a regular match on the schedule.
"I think it's always frustrating for a sportsman when you can't do what you love doing," said Beckham on Wednesday. "Yeah, it's very frustrating because it's an injury that has had me out for almost eight weeks. It's getting better, it's improving every day, but myself, I would want it to be a bit quicker. But obviously it's a natural thing."
On Wednesday at United's training site outside of RFK Stadium, Beckham trained for 30 minutes after meeting with the media.
Beckham has not played against any Major League Soccer competition, playing only 16 minutes on July 21 in an exhibition against English power Chelsea. He watched the Galaxy's match on Sunday in Toronto from the sidelines in a suit and tie and has not participated in any rigorous training sessions since his arrival.
"I don't know how you can wear a suit at a game a couple of days prior and be expected to (play)," said United defender Bobby Boswell. "I don't think he'll start but I don't really worry about it -- we'll prepare accordingly."
A crowd of 45,000 fans is expected at RFK Stadium, the largest crowd to see a United match that was not part of U.S. national team or Washington Freedom doubleheader. United drew more than 50,000 fans for doubleheaders with the U.S. national team in 2000 and 2001 and better than 34,000 in their first doubleheader with Mia Hamm and the Freedom. The stadium was reconfigured for baseball in 2005.
"He hasn't played yet so anything could happen," said United forward Jaime Moreno, who played with Middlesbrough of the English Premiership in 1994-95 and played against Beckham while he was at Manchester United. "We are concerned with L.A., not about Beckham. We know it's going to be a big crowd which will be nice and hopefully some of those people will come watch us, not just to come and watch Beckham. To have more people come to the stadium is what we need."
The festive and curious atmosphere surrounding this match is not lost on United midfielder Ben Olsen either, who also spent significant time in England. The savvy veteran is well aware of the big picture for the league and his club. That notwithstanding, United are coming off their best road performance of the season, thrashing New England 3-0 at Gillette Stadium last Sunday.
"I think it's only human nature to let down a little bit after a big win. This is an easy game to get motivated for, for so many reasons -- the crowd, national television, you name it -- this is going to be a great atmosphere, a great show and we are all very excited," said Olsen.
Olsen, however, said he feels sorry for Beckham since the results so far have unfortunately not matched the spectacle.
"I feel awful for him," said Olsen. "As a player you relate to him as a player and if you were in his situation. He understands what is riding on this and the eyes that are on him. For him to be sitting there must be pretty painful. Everyone in the media is saying he is here on a holiday; that's ridiculous. This guy who has done great things in his career and has always been a guy who has given 100 percent when he plays, has had a remarkable career. So for some people to be saying that is ridiculous and I feel for him."
From a purely soccer perspective, United would prefer that Beckham does not play. Dealing with Landon Donovan, Carlos Pavon and Alan Gordon is enough, according to Boswell.
"If he does get in we will do our best to do what we always do," said the young defender. "We don't want to let him serve the ball, we don't want to give up free kicks anywhere. I'm more worried about going against Gordon and Pavon."
Beckham's skills are not unknown to United as they tied his star-studded Real Madrid side 1-1 last year in Seattle before a sellout crowd of more than 68,000.
"He hits a killer ball and he'll pick your defense apart if you give him time," added Boswell. "There is going to be a lot more people here than are normally here that want to see him play and be excited every time he touches the ball.
"But I think with the way our fans are, and the way the stadium gets electric, when they go crazy, that will only help us. They are on the road, they're in our house and are going to have deal with what we are bringing," Boswell continued. "We take the game to teams in here and when our game is on and our fans are into it, you add 40,000 fans to that noise, it's going to be a little more intense."
"Real Madrid is such an amazing team, I don't know if I looked at him twice," joked Olsen about last year's meeting. "The Real Madrid game was just amazing and it was a treat to play against all of those guys. The way we went about the game was great as well. He does what he does: he's a great passer, he's deadly on free kicks and set pieces and we'll have to watch out for that if he does play."
Chris Snear is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
