Because of a nagging left ankle injury, David Beckham expressed reservations Thursday night about whether he'll be able to make more than a cameo appearance for the Los Angeles Galaxy when they play Chelsea FC on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.
In a halftime interview with ESPN during the MLS All-Star Game, Beckham said he still has swelling in his left ankle five weeks into his treatment.
"At the moment, it doesn't look good that I'm going to play because the swelling is still there," Beckham said. "I'm here for five years. I'm not here just for the game on Saturday. It's more important for me personally that my ankle is right."
That said, Beckham made it clear how much he would like to be on the field in what was expected to a gala coming-out party with the Galaxy.
"Maybe I'll play at some point toward the end of the game if it's all right," Beckham said. "But we'll see."
Beckham will continue with treatment until game time on Saturday in hopes that the swelling will completely subside.
"I've had it for five weeks now. Usually, for this injury, you need six weeks, seven weeks," Beckham said.
Beckham arrived in Denver via private plane and watched the first half of the All-Star Game from a luxury box before heading down to the ESPN set for his halftime interview. A mass of humanity surrounded the interview area. When it was finished, Beckham's entourage cleared a path so he could make his way to the field.
As the D.C. United under-17 team, winners of the inaugural SUM U-17 Cup, lined up, Beckham was on the side with the trophy. He presented it to the captain and then the public address announcer introduced Beckham to the crowd. The squeals rang out in rock star fashion.
As he was leaving the field, Beckham ran into Celtic midfielder and former teammate Thomas Gravesen. The two embraced and chatted for a minute or so. After the game, Beckham and Galaxy teammates Landon Donovan and Cobi Jones took the private plane back to Los Angeles.
That was Beckham's night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Unless that ankle cooperates, he might be a spectator again on Saturday.
Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas called Beckham's status for Saturday "a game-time decision." The last thing the Galaxy wants is for Beckham to return too soon and wind up re-aggravating the injury.
"There might be some disappointment if he doesn't play, but the reality is that this a human being," Lalas said. "This is not a robot and we need to make sure we treat it as such."
Asked if television or sponsors are calling the shots on whether Beckham plays on Saturday, Lalas replied: "Absolutely not.
"We all understand there is an incredible amount of interest in this game from television and sponsors. But this is sports. This is not a robot running around that you just turn on. The sponsors understand that. Television understands that. Regardless of whether David Beckham is or isn't on the field, it's going to be a wonderful moment for us on Saturday. And we all hope that he does get on the field at some point."
Donovan and Jones, after playing for the winning MLS All-Stars Thursday night, emphasized that Mother Nature cannot be rushed, even with so anticipation regarding Beckham's Galaxy debut.
"It's a process and it takes awhile," Jones said, referring to Beckham's ankle swelling. "You just have to let it heal."
Donovan said it won't be deflating if Beckham doesn't play on Saturday.
"I'm not worried about David playing Saturday. I'm worried about having him to help us win in MLS," Donovan said. "We don't want him pushing anything and hurting himself more. If it was up to me, he wouldn't play at all. I'm sure he'll be smart about it."
Robert Falkoff is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
