Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, July 21, 2011

Galaxy excited to clash with Man City

For Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, getting a victory against Manchester City will not be necessary on Sunday afternoon at the Home Depot Center.

I love any game that I could either watch or coach in that we don’t have to win,” Arena said of the tie, which is part of the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge. “I don’t get that many in my life. I enjoy that, and I think that’s how the players approach it and give their best effort.

“I’m really going to enjoy it this Sunday.”

So, does Mr. David Beckham think much of this match?

“No, because it’s Man City,” Beckham told LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan. “All joking aside, it’s going to be great for our fans to see some of their great players and a great experience for our team as well.

“There’s motivation in every game that we play It doesn’t matter whether we’re playing against Columbus, Real Madrid (a 4-1 winner last Saturday at the L.A. Coliseum) or Man City. It’s just another game and just a game I’m sure the players will enjoy.”

More on Becks' thoughts later.

“To see all the fans and how much they love it, it’s amazing. Immediately after the game you’re on cloud nine after matching up against some of these guys," added forward Mike Magee. “Sometimes I feel like when you first see it on the schedule, you wish you had that weekend off and the tendency is to think of it as a pain with all the league games.

"But when you get out there on the field and see all these guys you looked up, it’s hard to beat. It brings out the best in you, which is what you want.”


They will never be Man United, says Beckham

Now you can forgive Mr. Goldenballs for being a Manchester United homer. After all, he spent most of his playing career for the same club that slapped the Seattle Sounders by a touchdown on Wednesday night.

But in a recent article by the Guardian, he made it very clear that for everything Manchester City has done, they will never equal the accolades Manchester United have won over the years.

"Players have been bought and that does a lot for the club and for the team. But United have that history and it's not all about paying fortunes for players," Beckham told the Guardian's Daniel Taylor. "It's important the players get along with each other – that makes team spirit. As much as they have got the money to bring players in, sometimes that doesn't work. If they continue they will be a threat but there are no guarantees.

"I haven't been around their team and their squad and I wouldn't want to be around Man City. But if they continue to bring players in, then who knows? You saw it with Chelsea when Roman [Abramovich] arrived. They won two leagues and they won them on the trot. It works sometimes but hopefully it won't work at City."

Beckham admitted that the Home Depot Center will be packed on Sunday afternoon. And yes, Lalas Hill will be open.

"City coming here will be great for the fans," Beckham added. "They will see some great players. There is no extra motivation because it's Man City. It's not special to me because I am a Man Utd fan. They have some great players but they are never gonna be Man Utd."

Expect these Blues to be a motivated bunch as they continue their preseason en route to their first big contest, an FA Community Shield tie with...you guessed it, Manchester United.

Coincidence?