David Beckham made his 2009 MLS debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday at Giants Stadium. Two years ago, he made his wildly celebrated debut in the league, but this time there was no carnival atmosphere, no breathless promotion, none of the hysteria of 2007, when Beckham was portrayed as MLS’s savior. Compared to the wild cheers he received two years ago, on Thursday night every move he made was booed. “It’s to be expected,” he said. “It’s sometimes nice to get the boos, it gives you some inspiration.”
This time around, Beckham has received much less fawning and much tougher questions, specifically about his seemingly conflicting commitments to both the Galaxy and the England national team. “I want to be involved in the World Cup, I’ve not hidden that fact,” Beckham said in a press conference before Thursday’s game. “Whenever I’m called up for a squad with my country, I will turn up. It doesn’t matter. I’ve always done the same throughout my whole career.” Beckham also said, however, that English managers had made it clear that the only way for him to make the 2010 English national team was to go on loan again for at least six months and to play at a European level.
Beckham, however, maintains that he isn’t spreading himself too thin. He reinforced his commitment to the Galaxy and growing soccer in America. “I’m committed to this; I’m committed to Bruce,” he said, referring to the Galaxy and its coach and general manager, Bruce Arena. “I’m committed to the players. I’m committed to the MLS as an ambassador.”