Sir Beckham Visits DC

Many things have already been said about the United game against the LA Galaxy on Thursday night, somethings that I would have added. The traffic was ugly, the crowd was fantastic at responding to the game as the DCenters noted, and seeing Beckham for me was an added bonus to seeing United get their second win and more importantly continue their positive game when last year they began to fade around this time.

An added benefit to everything was that the game was such an event I was even given a slightly early pass out of work for the day. Brian and I rode down with some friends and met big G down in the Lot 8 circus for a quick bite before gametime.

Five minutes into the game United should have been up a goal when Ben Olsen blazed a volley over from inside the box. What a start that would have been as the stands were still filling in. What a sight RFK is when it's filled to the brim for a soccer game in a light rain and the supporter groups in full voice.

The atmosphere must have driven both sides at the outset as they started fluid and open before getting into a rhythm. Although Fred made some bad giveaways he also looked more comfortable in the center of the park. The knock he took that saw Kyle Martino off the pitch with a red card was credit to how frustrating Fred became to defend.

Most of the commentary has been covered but the place erupted when Emilio's bomb slipped past the hands of Joe Cannon, who I thought probably should have pushed the ball wide. Instead, my beer ended up mostly on my shorts with high fives flying around and the decibel level ratcheted up.

If you wait you can see the TV star and the real star of the night Luciano Emilio. Can't help but love how much joy he gets from scoring. I hope he keeps enjoying himself.



When Beckham stepped on the field for what now will be remembered as the historic moment he began his MLS career, I thought the crowd responded appropriately with a mix of surreal screams that Beckham finally suited up and a realistic set of boos that a gamechanging player just walked onto the field for the opposition.

The game ended with a flurry of chances for both sides; most of them were squandered by poor finishing that showed through on Beckham's frustrated face.

The thing that surprised me most was some that some of the players on my men's league team who we watched the game with and are true soccer lovers had never been to a United game. They all seemed to have a great time, suffering as much as the rest of us when United missed a chance and occasionally getting caught up in some of the songs. Here's to hoping that they come back even when Becks isn't in town.