Cause if he really wanted something different, why not try the Mexican, Argentinan,or Brazilian league.

And why go to L.A.?

Why not N.Y.?

Why not D.C. or Chicago?

The whole family has an ulterior motive, for being in L.A. and it’s not for soccer.

All these bike rides, whole family outings, whatever…much as they profit off of and probably thrive on attention (and don’t whine about it out of the other sides of their mouths) it has to be nice to do some things that they’ve NEVER been able to do before. Remember that they found out they were expecting Brooklyn during the ‘98 World Cup. Either because of death threats and kidnapping attempts or then with the crowds added, they really have lived in a “bubble” since they started out together.

I have joked that this is the first time Becks doesn’t have to fear for his life if his team is doing badly. But missing the passion for the sport in the U.S. also means avoiding that side too (probably not a preferred trade, but maybe an interesting change for a family guy).

The last thing in terms of family life is that even though I still maintain that Becks is more at risk of losing money signing for the Galaxy than making more, Mrs B’s doing quite well thankyou now that she doesn’t have to keep her business on the QT lest it appear to “conflict with his career” (and possibly because they’re a bit more secure about the kids’ safety). Her energy and ambition is part of what attracted him in the first place and he certainly seems to enjoy her success.

Ok, now that his personal life is sorted <img src="http://www.kickette.com/images/smileys/wink.gif&quot; width="19" height="19" alt="wink" style="border:0;" /> , if his squad could just be brought up to a more competitive level, this might not be so painful for his footy fans!

I finally commandeered Michael Ballack, and with his learning English, we’re getting along fine. I can speak a little German, but his language skills are strangely better than mine.

keyword: wife88. It’s trying to tell me something.

I’m watching a rerun of the Portsmouth – Newcastle game, and they were just singing the triumphal march from “Aida.“

Next time he comes up I hope you will give us a more detailed review of your vitalizing techniques. As a group I am sure we are nothing if not eager to further our educations.

CRAP Emily, I forgot the listening part! Of course Becks is waiting desperately to pour his heart out to me, although don’t we take it for granted that we read his mind? Maybe he’ll just want to tell me how cute the boys were this morning…after the last shower-off when he’s all chipper and delighted and I’m ready to send him home to my fantasy of his happy family (NO ONE argue with me) .

p.s. BETTY thank you so much for the on the spot report! Imagine, Toronto with more water and people complaining about Becks not being booked for a flagrant foul! Can you come back whenever you go again? We’ll look for your updates in whatever random post comes up after a match.

I think the problem was scheduling a NOON TIME game in 100 degree heat. Ten minutes into the game Becks was calling for water bottles to be put out on the sidelines for his guys. At one point during the first half Becks got into it with the ref because the ENTIRE Toronto team had run off to the bench to get water and were taking their sweet ass time to get back on the field.

LA dominated the match but couldn’t score… on the few occasions Toronto got the ball, they put it in and that’s why we lost. (Our keeper was painfully slow.)

Becks and Donovan weren’t in sync for quite a few of the passes and that sucks but they have been doing better. I think they should have made subs earlier in the match since it was so hot and it was obvious that people were losing steam. But, yeah, good match overall.

That said, there are a few comments over at my beloved Pies, and a few allusions here and elsewhere that he planned to suddenly turn around the MLS, and stop the craptastic play that has been going on now for well on 15 years.

…he never said that.  In fact, in all interviews- he’s said the opposite.  That it takes time, money, and experience to turn the MLS into a watchable, lucrative, skilled league.  He’s said that one man isn’t going to do it.

Last year he may have been astonished to see up close the awful level of play from our country’s top league, prompting him to offer that fantastic soundbite, “I haven’t played in a game like that since I was like…9 years old.“ But he did know what he was getting into, and wanted go about his paid work whilst living the life he wanted. 

It was sad to watch the match this afternoon, and it’s frustrating for any athlete to play with people who are obviously inept- but he came to LA because he didn’t like the other options, and he did like the big bags of money and the chance to live in a place with great weather where he and his wife could live the lives they believe “normal people” live (in LA they’re just rich common folk, not paparazzi darlings).

So how long can he take it? For as long as the sponsorship deals continue.  He just needs to invest in some great moisturizer to keep his face looking nice, and he’ll continue to be minted and spend time with his bubbas and VickieB.

I’m probably one of the very few here—heck, maybe I AM alone – but Becks just isn’t my cuppa. Maybe a few years back….but I’ve never really fancied him at all.

All my hot water bottles, massage oils and creative nursing techniques are reserved for my hottie, Owen Hargreaves. I couldn’t even imagine anyone else.

Enjoy yourself as you begin this very long and tedious process. So very self-less of you too!

Have we no heart girls? Does the man not at LEAST deserve to have every sweat drenched inch of steaming flesh swabbed and anointed, each tight and burning muscle attentively restored to the full vigor intended by nature? Not even a cooling hand on his brow (forEVER)?

What has become of us when we forgo the(COMPLETELY selfless of course) basic milk of human kindness, with the slightest on pitch distraction? I will be the first to say that I am ashamed. And I volunteer to atone by handling this hard and sweat soaked challenge all by myself. A HUGE project.