Tonight could preview 2010
The Galaxy’s David Beckham could play in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, England Coach Fabio Capello said Friday.
Chivas USA’s Jonathan Bornstein might be there, too, representing the U.S. on soccer’s largest stage.
And if both countries qualify and both are drawn in the same group, Beckham and Bornstein could find themselves going up against each other -- just like tonight.
The English right-side midfielder and the American left back will be battling for the same strip of turf at the Home Depot Center when the Galaxy and Chivas USA square off at 7:30 in the latest edition of one of Major League Soccer’s better rivalries.
The Galaxy counts on Beckham to provide the passes that lead to the goals. Chivas USA counts on Bornstein to make sure those passes are not made.
Both players have allies. Behind Beckham on the Galaxy’s right flank is Chris Klein, a pretty fair passer of the ball himself. Ahead of Bornstein on Chivas USA’s left flank is Francisco “Panchito” Mendoza, who can dribble and run at defenders all day long.
The outcome could depend on who prevails on that side of the field. Chivas USA has a big edge in youth and speed. The Galaxy has the experience. It shapes up as an intriguing duel.
“In terms of the speed and us younger guys having more of it, we should try to use that to our advantage as much as we can,” Bornstein said.
Bornstein is 23. Mendoza is 22. Beckham, on the other hand, will turn 33 next Friday, while Klein is 32. Neither of the elders are outstanding defensive players, and having to chase players a decade younger could make for a long night. “It might tire them out a little bit and hinder them from going forward,” Bornstein said.
But the U.S. international is aware that his job involves much more than making Beckham hustle. He has to guard him closely to prevent him from delivering the crosses that Landon Donovan has been turning into goals with regularity.
“I don’t think you can leave Beckham alone to get the ball, have time on it and then just serve the ball into the box, because he’s got a great service and can pick anybody out from anywhere,” Bornstein said. “In order to stop that, you’ve got to be tight on him.”
Chivas USA Coach Preki doesn’t like the notion that it could come down to who does better between Bornstein and Beckham.
“This is a team game. It’s not one against one. It’s 10 against 10, and who can make fewer mistakes and who can take the advantages they get throughout the game,” Preki said.
Watching with interest will be U.S. national team Coach Bob Bradley. Watching from afar will be Capello.
England hosts the U.S. in a friendly international at Wembley Stadium on May 28. Bornstein and Beckham each figures to be in his national team coach’s plans for that game, so tonight might be a preview.
Looking further ahead, Capello sees Beckham still being a factor in 2010.
“The door is open,” he told the Spanish daily newspaper Marca.
“He played the last game, and he did well against France. It depends. There are players who at 33 or 34 take good care of themselves, they understand that the body is not as it was and they take more care. It depends a lot on that.”
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GALAXY TONIGHT
vs. Chivas USA, 7:30, FSC, FSE
Site -- Home Depot Center
Radio --1150, 1220 (Spanish)
Records --Galaxy 1-2-1, Chivas 1-2-1
Update --The Galaxy holds a 7-3-2 edge in the all-time series, but Chivas USA last season went 2-1-1 against Los Angeles.
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