Galaxy Look Good, No Thanks to Beckham

Play on the pitch shows this is Landon Donovan's team.

By KURT HELIN

Updated 12:49 PM PDT, Fri, Jul 17, 2009

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Ultimately, for all the worry and words over what Los Angeles Galaxy member wears the captain’s armband, leadership is determined on the pitch.

And this is Landon Donovan’s team. It is he that has led the Galaxy to a four-game winning streak and put them in a position to make the playoffs. It was he that scored one goal and set up another in the Galaxy’s 3-1 win over the hapless New York Red Bulls.

As for David Beckham in his first game back, he looked pedestrian. It had nothing to do with the smattering of boos from the crowd, they will boo anything in New York and Beckham was unphased by that. Still, his play was unimpressive. Whether it was due to disinterest or just trying to adjust to a Galaxy team that was streaking without him is hard to say. But while he was part of a Galaxy midfield that controlled the game, he himself played a quiet role in that, his usually spectacular crosses being off target. His legendary free kicks missed their marks.

Bottom line, despite all the hype, the Galaxy did not look like a team that needed him.

Beckham’s return has been a boon in press coverage for the usually ignored Major League Soccer. It’s been filled with controversy because of a book — The Beckham Experiment — in which Donovan finally stands up to Beckham. Well, as much as one can do that by whining to a reporter about a guy rather than telling him to his face. But the media back-and-forth between the internationally renowned Beckham and America’s best-known player in Donovan made for some national headlines.

But what those stories largely missed is that in the past few weeks, Donovan has looked like the international striker he has had the promise to be (but seems to only show in flashes). He was a key part of the United States upsetting Spain and making the Confederations Cup final. And around that he has played well for a streaking Galaxy team that early on was earning a lot of draws but is now starting to turn those into wins.

Beckham, if he finds his form, could be a part of a Galaxy team that nobody wants to face in the playoffs. There are a dozen games left in the MLS season for him to figure it out.

But with or without his play, the Galaxy are hot and they are looking ahead to the playoffs. And Donovan will lead the way.