USA: SOCCER - Chelsea FC hit the practice field ahead of their showdown with the L.A. Galaxy, David Beckham's new team

Record ID: 1539702

  • Title: USA: SOCCER - Chelsea FC hit the practice field ahead of their showdown with the L.A. Galaxy, David Beckham's new team
  • Date: 11th July 2007
  • Summary: CHELSEA AND ENGLAND CAPTAIN JOHN TERRY RUNNING TOWARDS CAMERA CLUB MANAGER JOSE MOURINHO AND MIDFIELDER STEVE SIDWELL ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) COACH JOSE MOURINHO ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESEASON MATCHES, SAYING: "You want to give a good image, you want to play well, you want to give the LA Galaxy a big game to promote the new team, the football they have in the States. I don't know that David Beckham is playing that game, if he plays of course it's a big moment for LA. I think it's also a big moment for U.S. soccer and I think they couldn't choose a better player to achieve what they want to achieve. I think it's a pity for European football that a good player like him is gone. But, at the same time, we all in Europe want soccer in the U.S. to grow up. It's a market that is open and will be good for everyone." JOURNALISTS AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA FC PLAYER STEVE SIDWELL, SAYING: "His decision to come here, as the boss said earlier, is a sad time for European football. But, again, it's a great time for soccer in the States because it will only bring it on in leaps and bounds. I'm sure he'll fire up the competition they're playing."
  • Embargoed: 26th July 2007 13:59
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA4T9CI3EO13BVQ1NIZHZX8P2D3
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Chelsea FC hit the practice field ahead of their showdown with the L.A. Galaxy, David Beckham's new team.
    The Chelsea Football Club began their two-week training camp at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) campus on Tuesday (July 10).
    The high profile team's pre-season trip includes multiple international matches during its goodwill U.S. tour that will culminate with a game against David Beckham's new team, the Los Angeles Galaxy.
    "You want to give the LA Galaxy a big game to promote the new team, the football they have in the States. I don't know that David Beckham is playing that game, if he plays of course it's a big moment for LA," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said at a news conference following the training session.
    "I think it's also a big moment for U.S. soccer and I think they couldn't choose a better player to achieve what they want to achieve. I think it's a pity for European football that a good player like him is gone. But, at the same time, we all in Europe want soccer in the U.S. to grow up. It's a market that is open and will be good for everyone," he added.
    With a nearly sold-out stadium, Beckham's debut is expected to overshadow much of Chelsea's trip to the states. The buzz is also expected to add a bit of intensity to the exhibition match between the two clubs.
    Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell said he expects to have mixed emotions seeing Beckham in a Galaxy uniform.
    "His decision to come here, as the boss said earlier, is a sad time for European football. But, again, it's a great time for soccer in the States because it will only bring it on in leaps and bounds. I'm sure he'll fire up the competition they're playing," Sidwell said of Beckham.
    As well as Chelsea's match against the Galaxy on July 21, the squad will also travel north to Stanford where they will play Mexico's Club America on July 14 and will then take on the Suwon Bluewings on July 17 back in Los Angeles.
    David Beckham is expected to arrive in the United States on Thursday (July 12).
    A news conference is scheduled for Friday (July 13) to make his arrival official.
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