Beckham, Galaxy Gaining Strength For Playoffs
Posted Friday, October 15, 2010 by Goal.com
Recovering midfielder has provided a spark.
David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy
Only a few months removed from the injury that denied him a World Cup spot, David Beckham is back on the field for the Los Angeles Galaxy and eying yet another trophy - two, as a matter of fact.
Though not recognized as the league's championship, the best record during Major League Soccer's season is awarded a trophy known as the Supporters Shield. The achievement is also granted a spot in the international tournament for the region - the CONCACAF Champions League.
The Galaxy can clinch the Supporters Shield with a victory on their home field this weekend versus the Colorado Rapids.
Beckham hopes to be a part of that, though his body is still a way from being completely fit.
"It’s still difficult for me to get going in some areas, but once I get playing I feel good," Beckham acknowledged after his team's practice on Thrusday. " It’s still going to take awhile to get match fitness, but I’m definitely close."
However, most have been surprised by Beckham's quick recovery from an injury and surgery that can often take over six months to heal.
"Obviously when you come back from a bad injury like I had, you expect it to take time and you have your doubts about certain things in your game, after an injury like this," Beckham pointed out.
Yet Beckham has been effective in his limited time back with the Galaxy, helping spark the team's run at the close of the season. "To have had an assist and a goal and be in the position that the team’s in, I’m happy with that," said the English midfielder.
Often, the most important part of recovery is overcoming the mentality that one might get another injury, or the worry that the body isn't get ready.
"Playing in the games is more of a mental thing than anything," Beckham stated. "I don’t go into the game thinking ‘Am I going to do it again?’ or ‘If I push off, is it going to snap?’ It’s something that I don’t even think about anymore."
Clinching the Supporters Shield would be a new accomplishment for Beckham. The Galaxy finished second in the running for the trophy last year, and similarly, were MLS Cup runners-up.
"It puts us in a good position," Beckham said. "It’s what you set yourself up to at the start of the season. It’s a big game for us. We want to finish the season well, want to finish on top and want to put ourselves in the best position going into the playoffs."
It was clear that coming close on both counts affected the veteran player, and in fact, his entire team. The Galaxy lost the championship on penalty kicks to Real Salt Lake, after they led in the first half of the final.
"You always have to think about it, especially when it ended like it did," Beckham explained. "If we were successful you have that different mentality but because we didn’t win, we didn’t go all the way and win it, you have that, I would hope the players on the team have that determination to win it this season. We’re thinking about that more than anything."
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