FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Lots of things change when David Beckham walks through the door. One thing that doesn't is the New England Revolution game plan, according to defender Michael Parkhurst.
"Absolutely not," Parkhurst said when asked if things change when Beckham visits.
Difficult though it may seem, New England is attempting to keep the status quo. But Revolution head coach Steve Nicol said that while Beckham is an inevitable topic, his presence, and the presence of complete sellout of the soccer capacity of Gillette Stadium (a crowd expected to reach more than 35,000), provides impetus for his side as they take on the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday evening.
"As much as it can be," Nicol said of his team's desire to keep things operating as normal. "It lends more motivation to us as well."
Beckham debuted on Thursday night in a 1-0 loss at D.C. United, playing the last 18 minutes of the defeat and creating chances with his passing. Some observers have noted that Beckham had time and space to operate on the ball. Nicol said that would not be the case on Sunday night.
"When he gets the ball, you have to close him down," Nicol said. "Whoever gets the ball, we have to close them down early."
With Beckham on the scene, there is the temptation to overlook others in the Galaxy squad. Parkhurst dismissed any notion that the team will get caught up in the Beckham hype.
"We know their capabilities," Parkhurst said. "As big as Beckham is, we know there are other players on the field that can hurt us."
One of those players is U.S. international striker Landon Donovan. Donovan has four goals and six assists to lead the Galaxy this season despite missing a chunk of time on CONCACAF Gold Cup duty.
"I don't think us players will look past Landon," Parkhurst said. "We know he's one of the best, if not the best, forwards in the league."
Parkhurst could be in the lineup to help negate the threat posed by Donovan after training on Friday and Saturday. Ruled day-to-day after hyperextending his knee in last Sunday's 3-0 defeat to United, Parkhurst wants to get on the field on Sunday.
"It felt good out there today," Parkhurst said after Saturday's training session. "We'll see tomorrow."
Nicol will wait until just prior to the match tomorrow to run the rule over Parkhurst to determine whether or not his center back will start. James Riley is on standby if Parkhurst is not deemed fit from the start.
"We're waiting until tomorrow to see how he reacts after training today," Nicol said.
Parkhurst knows that his side is well placed at the top of the Eastern Conference, meaning that the long-term is more important than this particular contest.
"It's just one game," Parkhurst said. "I don't want to play, get injured, and then be out for three or four weeks."
Parkhurst is the primary injury doubt for New England. Nicol will choose between Khano Smith and Wells Thompson to fill the left flank, with Smith the likely choice.
Nicol handed a trial to Argentinian midfielder Mario Sosa during training this week. The midfielder is available on a free transfer after being released by Newell's Old Boys in June.
"We'll have a chat," Nicol said, adding that the midfielder will depart the area on Sunday.
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
