The L.A. Galaxy breathed a collective sigh of relief on Friday as England coach Steve McClaren announced his squad for next week’s Euro 2008 qualifiers and David Beckham’s name was not on the list. Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas on Thursday said he was hopeful that the former England captain would be available for the team’s final three games. A victory against MLS champ Houston on Saturday would keep alive the team’s hopes of making the playoffs.
In an interview with Grahame L. Jones of the L.A. Times, Becks talks about 2007, which has been a strange year of highest highs and lowest lows. “I don’t think I’ve ever had so many injuries in such a short space of time,” he said. “It has been tough because I hate being injured and I hate not being able to play football. It’s come at the worst time.” The 32-year-old hopes to return to the field before the season ends, even if the Galaxy fails to make the playoffs. “I need to get back to playing,” he said.
As for next year, “what we need to do is just strengthen the squad,” he said; a few new players, but not a complete overhaul. Beckham said he would like to see Frank Yallop stay on as coach, adding that the team’s recent turnaround in form (10 points from four games) “comes from what [the coach] says before games, at halftime and after games.”