LA Galaxy players say Becks' leadership can't be replaced
Source: Agencies |
March 18, 2010, Thursday
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DAVID Beckham's prolonged absence due to an Achilles' tendon injury will affect the Los Angeles Galaxy profoundly, Galaxy players said on Tuesday in California.
"With this team, it's massive," said Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter, who played for the United States in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. "He's a huge part of this team. It's (a matter of) trying to figure out what to do next."
Beckham tore his left Achilles' tendon on Sunday while playing for AC Milan during his second offseason loan to the Italian club. He underwent surgery in Finland on Monday and will be sidelined for about six months.
Reports said that Beckham and his wife Victoria had left Finland yesterday in a private jet for London.
The Galaxy's season ends in October so Beckham will miss most of the Major League Soccer season.
"He's an important part to AC Milan, he's an important part to England and he's a vital part to us," Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein said. "On the field, the leadership, the quality he brings, you don't replace that."
Beckham was trying to earn a place on England's World Cup squad. Had he done so, he would have been the first English player to appear in four World Cups.
"I know he's very down about this," said Klein.
Galaxy midfielder Bryan Jordan said Beckham provided a positive example for young players.
"I look at how he does things, how he keeps the ball, where he loses the ball, how he gets his crosses in," Jordan said. "I've looked up to him even before playing with him."
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said he had no idea when Beckham would return.
"I don't think I've ever had a player with an Achilles' tendon tear," Arena said. "When they say 'six months,' it's probably accurate. That might even be aggressive. You don't know how the player reacts to the surgery, therapy, rehab, all that stuff."
Nevertheless, Arena said Beckham's absence will not alter the Galaxy's basic approach to offense.
"We're not going to change anything," Arena said.
"With this team, it's massive," said Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter, who played for the United States in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. "He's a huge part of this team. It's (a matter of) trying to figure out what to do next."
Beckham tore his left Achilles' tendon on Sunday while playing for AC Milan during his second offseason loan to the Italian club. He underwent surgery in Finland on Monday and will be sidelined for about six months.
Reports said that Beckham and his wife Victoria had left Finland yesterday in a private jet for London.
The Galaxy's season ends in October so Beckham will miss most of the Major League Soccer season.
"He's an important part to AC Milan, he's an important part to England and he's a vital part to us," Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein said. "On the field, the leadership, the quality he brings, you don't replace that."
Beckham was trying to earn a place on England's World Cup squad. Had he done so, he would have been the first English player to appear in four World Cups.
"I know he's very down about this," said Klein.
Galaxy midfielder Bryan Jordan said Beckham provided a positive example for young players.
"I look at how he does things, how he keeps the ball, where he loses the ball, how he gets his crosses in," Jordan said. "I've looked up to him even before playing with him."
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said he had no idea when Beckham would return.
"I don't think I've ever had a player with an Achilles' tendon tear," Arena said. "When they say 'six months,' it's probably accurate. That might even be aggressive. You don't know how the player reacts to the surgery, therapy, rehab, all that stuff."
Nevertheless, Arena said Beckham's absence will not alter the Galaxy's basic approach to offense.
"We're not going to change anything," Arena said.
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