David Beckham makes his 2009 Major League Soccer debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy Thursday against the New York Red Bulls.
The point spread is 0 (Los Angeles, -125; New York, -115) and the over/under is 2.5 in betED.com’s Soccer Betting Odds.
Los Angeles (5-3-9) has won three straight and with Beckham back in mix, the Galaxy could make a charge for the MLS Cup.
The Galaxy have posted three straight 1-0 wins – over Houston, New England and Chivas USA – and have lost just once in eight road games this season.
Tonight’s tilt marks Beckham’s first trip back to New York since a 5-4 loss in his first game against the Red Bulls in August 2007. Beckham had three assists in the loss but the match is considered a MLS classic.
New York (2-13-4) will try to build on its home success, as the Red Bulls are 2-3-3 at Giants Stadium. New York has earned all but one of its 10 points at home this season.
Despite their troubles, the Red Bulls got a welcome sign when Juan Pablo Angel scored his sixth goal of the season in a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas in the team’s last match two weeks ago.
The Red Bulls have lost three straight, seven of their last eight, and have not won in their past 10.
Meanwhile, Beckham refused comment on critical comments teammate Landon Donovan made about the former England captain. Donovan questioned Beckham’s leadership and commitment to Los Angeles in “The Beckham Experiment,” a newly-released book.
Although Beckham was supposed to be the face of MLS and Los Angeles, he abruptly left for Italy’s AC Milan for the first half of the season and hopes to make a permanent switch to Europe to win a spot on England’s 2010 World Cup team.
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