David Beckham makes latest cut for British Olympic team

Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, who has made no secret of his desire to play for Britain in this summer’s Olympic Games in London, moved another step closer to that goal Wednesday when he survived the latest round of cuts in the pool of players from which Coach Stuart Pearce will select his squad.

Since January, Pearce has eliminated more than 110 players from consideration for the 18-man team. But the list of candidates still numbers 80, so Beckham isn’t packing just yet. Pearce is expected to name his final roster in June.

Britain has not fielded a soccer team for the Summer Games since 1960 because Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland feared losing their independence with FIFA if they joined England to produce an Olympic team. But soccer’s world governing body assured federations that their status won’t be affected by participating in the 16-nation Olympic event this summer.

The Olympic tournament is a U-23 competition, although teams are allowed to add up to three players over the age of 23 and Beckham, who turns 37 next month, would like to be among them -- especially because he played a part in helping his hometown land the Games.

The former captain of the English national team, Beckham has made a record 115 appearances for his country in international play. But the last came in October 2009 and he has been sidelined with a variety of injuries since then, including back spasms and a tight hamstring that have caused him to a miss a game with the Galaxy this month.

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David Beckham makes latest cut for British Olympic team