CARSON, Calif. - The cameras were poised for some David Beckham footage Friday morning outside The Home Depot Center as the Los Angeles Galaxy players filtered toward University Field No. 1 for a training session. But it wasn't to be for No. 23.
Around 11 a.m. PT, Galaxy spokesman Justin Pearson came along to deliver the news that there would be no Beckham sighting.
"David Beckham will not be coming out for training today," Pearson said.
Beckham's work day was strictly in the training room as he continued to receive treatment on a swollen left ankle that has threatened to put his widely anticipated Galaxy debut Saturday night against Chelsea FC in jeopardy. The big question that must be answered before game time is whether the risk outweighs the reward in having Beckham play. The thought of Beckham re-aggravating the ankle because of an expedited return is enough to make Galaxy officials cringe.
Beckham had said during an ESPN interview Thursday night that he's five weeks into treatment for an injury that usually requires six or seven weeks for full recovery.
Galaxy coach Frank Yallop ruled out the possibility of Beckham starting the game against Chelsea. Based on Beckham's daily improvement, however, Yallop said there's a chance that Beckham will play in a limited role.
"I saw him this morning and it's feeling a lot better," Yallop said. "He desperately wants to play. He won't be a big part in the game, we know that. Because he hasn't trained for a number of weeks. But we're hoping he can get some time on the field."
If Beckham were to appear in a cameo role on Saturday, it might at least serve as a pleasing appetizer for the Galaxy fans before they get the Beckham main course. But Galaxy midfielder Kyle Martino hopes the decision won't be based on anything other than the medical evaluation on game day.
"There has been so much buildup to his arrival and his debut against Chelsea," Martino said. "Although that would be fun, everyone wants to see David Beckham at his best. If he's not completely healthy and maybe jeopardizes being healthy for the next couple of games, it doesn't seem like a risk that makes any sense. The team feels strongly that if he doesn't feel good, he shouldn't play.
"What the fans need to realize is that if they see David play when he's fit and not carrying an injury, he's going to be an amazing player and it's going to be 10 times better than coming to watch him play the last 10 minutes in a cameo."
If Beckham doesn't play on Saturday, the guessing game would resume on whether he would be ready Tuesday when the Galaxy takes on Pachuca of Mexico in the opening match of Superliga.
"I hate to keep saying it, but it is day-to-day," Yallop said. "The swelling is going down. It's going in the right direction."
The Galaxy organization has been swept along in the Beckham hoopla. About 70 journalists were on hand for Friday's training session. The ripple effect from Beckham's celebrity status means highly increased media exposure for all the Galaxy players and front office and defender Abel Xavier just hopes the team will rise to the challenge of performing under the glare of the spotlight.
"We cannot put too much pressure on David Beckham, because he's not a magic man," Xavier said. "He'll have a great impact on our team, but we all have to step up and do the job along with him. David is such an intelligent player. The other players have to be intelligent to understand his game."
Forward Landon Donovan and midfielder Cobi Jones shared a plane ride with Beckham back to Los Angeles following Thursday's MLS All-Star Game in Commerce City, Colo. Donovan thinks all the paparazzi buzz could potentially be a distraction, but doesn't think the Galaxy are getting caught up in the circus-like atmosphere.
"It does feel that way at times, but for us, it's about playing well and winning games," Donovan said. "You've got to know that it's time to play. It can't just be all the extra-curricular."
Beckham will have a little extra-curricular activity Sunday when he and wife Victoria will be honored guests at a welcoming party hosted by Tom Cruise and Will Smith in downtown Los Angeles. The guest list includes Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Jim Carrey and Steven Spielberg.
Beckham can expect to receive a lot of "how's your ankle?" queries from the Hollywood glitz set. In a town which has its share of celebrity issues, Beckham's mobility status is currently high on the list.
Robert Falkoff is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
