David Beckham Anticipates Portland Challenge

David Beckham has a long history of playing for clubs that other teams are itching to defeat, as well as playing against clubs with fervent fan support, so more than anything, it seems that the English midfielder is looking forward to this weekend’s Portland-Galaxy clash.

“When you play for a franchise like this, we know that teams come here and it’s their cup final,” Beckham said. “They want to beat LA and they want to beat the Galaxy, simple as that. Especially when we go on the road as well and play against teams. We have full stadiums and teams that seem to try a lot harder against us and that’s the way it is with big clubs, not just in this league, but all around the world. We do realize that.”

The Galaxy had the best regular season record in the league last year, beating out Real Salt Lake to claim the Supporters Shield trophy. This season, however, the team suffered an embarrasing loss to Real Salt Lake while Beckham was wearing the captain’s armband. Yet Beckham claimed the squad has bounced back.

“Especially after the Salt Lake game, we all came together and we know that you just can’t step out on to the field and think that just because we are the LA Galaxy, that we’re just going to win games without working hard,” Beckham explained. “It’s good that we realized it so early in the season and turned it around.”

Portland has also turned things around after a tough start and has won two games in a row. The Timbers seem to have adjusted well in their first MLS season.

“They’re new to this league, but they’ve done well to win their last couple of games,” Beckham noted. “We’re ready for them. We’re at home. We need to make this stadium hard to come to and our team hard to beat. We’ve had a good week’s training and we’re ready for their team. We know what their team is about and we know their strengths. If we perform well, it’s going to be a good game.”

A traveling contingent of Portland fans are expected in the stadium, though not in the packed numbers that greeted the Timbers in their home stadium.

“When you play in places like that – and I’ve not played there yet, but I’ve seen some of their games and seen the atmosphere – it helps the players, especially when you’ve got a crowd against you like that,” Beckham stated. “When you play against teams like that and you’re away, to beat teams like that is a great feeling. It’s great for the game and it’s great for the sport in this country and great for MLS.”

Though there was some controversy about Portland fans belting out the national anthem at their first home match, Beckham was puzzled as to why. The 35-year-old thought it was different for club game atmosphere as he is usually used to crowds singing anthems during national team games.

“It’s great when fans sing the national anthem,” Beckham observed. “I’m used to that. When you play for England, fans sing the national anthem out loud. That’s the way it is. I don’t know enough about it, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”

The midfielder felt his Galaxy teammates did well to get a victory in their latest game to finish a three-game road trip unbeaten, even though LA lost starting central defender Leonardo to a bad injury that requires surgery.

“It shows a lot of character,” Beckham said. “When you have injuries, it shows a team’s strength and you come together. We have that with our team and the reserve players that come in and are able to perform. It shows the strength we have in the squad and the character.”