David Beckham has traveled to the United States to join the Los
Angeles Galaxy for training after being left out of Fabio Capello's
first England squad.
The 32-year-old midfielder was called back for preseason
training by the Major League Soccer team after he was omitted from
England's 30-man provisional roster for next week's friendly
against Switzerland.
Beckham canceled an appearance at a charity event in London,
instead recording a video message.
"He was obviously disappointed," Beckham's publicist, Simon
Oliviera, said. "He has to report to training on Saturday and
needed a few hours to catch up with the kids."
Beckham had been training with Arsenal to keep fit in the MLS
off season, but Capello decided to leave out the former England
captain because he hasn't played a competitive match since
November.
Denied the chance of becoming just the fifth player to make his
100th appearance for England, Beckham must now return to club
action in the hope of a recall.
The Galaxy has two weeks of two-a-day training sessions at The
Home Depot Center stadium before flying to Hawaii for a preseason
Pan-Pacific Championship.
Beckham could play in the Feb. 20 match against Japan's Gamba
Osaka and either the final or third-place playoff on Feb. 23. The
Galaxy then plays in Seoul and Shanghai before a charity match
against FC Dallas on March 15, with the regular season starting two
weeks later.
That means Beckham should be fitter by the time England plays a
friendly at France on March 26, although Capello may prefer to wait
until the midfielder has competed in the MLS.
Having seen Beckham train, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is in
no doubt that Capello will soon recall the veteran playmaker, as he
did when the pair won the Spanish league at Real Madrid last
season.
"We were all amazed how good he was," Wenger said. "I believe
the English national team still needs Beckham because he can still
make decisions and his experience will be needed in the big games
and that is why I am sure he will get his 100th cap."
Earlier in the week, Beckham said he was still hopeful of
winning his 100th cap.
"I won't get bitter and twisted because I am old enough and I
have got enough respect for the manager to realize that if it does
not happen, life goes on. I have been lucky enough in my career to
come back from tough times and disappointments. If it doesn't
happen, I will come back from it again, in my way."
(Shanghai Daily February 2, 2008)