BY ADAM SERRANO
David Beckham is once again earning a great deal of frequent flyer miles and it may finally be catching up to the LA Galaxy midfielder.
Beckham was back in his native England on Sunday and Monday on official duty with the London Olympic Committee. The Galaxy midfielder has spoken numerous times about his desire to be a part of a Great Britain squad, either as a player or as a coach and has been extremely active in the committee since the Olympic games were awarded to his hometown of London.
After his latest trip to England, Beckham was immediately back on the training pitch for the Galaxy returning training on Tuesday after flying back after the Monday event to aid with the preparations for a Saturday match in Colorado against the Rapids. However, Beckham spent the team's day off on Wednesday and Thursday's training session recouping from a slight knock suffered during the session.
"It's not ideal to be flying to the other side of the world, but physically it doesn't affect me as long as I look after myself," said Beckham. "My back was sore from training on Tuesday, we had a day off yesterday and I spent a majority of the day in bed, it was a bit of a spasm, but I don't expect it to be a problem during the weekend.
Here are some more news and notes from around the Western Conference:
CHIVAS USA
Injuries have wreaked havoc on the Rojiblancos this season with several key guys having to battle back from series issues that have kept them out for long stretches of the season. One such guy has been forward Tristan Bowen, who was acquired in the offseason from the Goats arch rival, the LA Galaxy. Bowen has ben out since the beginning of April with an ankle sprain that he calls, the "longest of his career."
COLORADO RAPIDS
Scott Palguta has beeen a regular johnny-on-the-spot this season for the defending MLS Cup Champions. With depth at the full back and central defense positions, Palguta has been forced to make the most his rare opportunities to get into the Rapids crowded starting lineup. The defender earned a start for the Rapids in their 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers last week just days after playing in a reserve match for Colorado.
FC DALLAS
Sometimes as a young player, you're forced to adapt to changing positions. FC Dallas forward Andrew Wiedeman has been cutting his teeth with the FCD reserves playing at right back. Wiedeman has told MLSsoccer.com that he doesn't mind the change and is willing to do what he can to get back on the field for Dallas.
PORTLAND TIMBERS
The Timbers announced earlier in the week that defender Mamadou "Futty" Danso would be out for two to four weeks due to a separated shoulder. However Danso believes taht he'll be back much sooner than the training staff believes after telling the Oregonian that the pain has decreased by "60 percent" and that he hopes to return shortly to the Timbers lineup.
REAL SALT LAKE
Real Salt Lake is looking to reinforce its depleted team with a series of new trialists.Chris Agorsor, Samir Bengelloun, a French left back Sony Norde. With a host of new players, RSL hopes to rebound after losing several key players like Javier Morales to injury.
RSL will also welcome back Will Johnson, who was on Canada's failed Gold Cup campaign, but is expected to return to action.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
No Ryan Johnson? No Chris Wondolowski? No Ike Opara?
Not a problem for the San Jose Earthquakes, who are unbeaten in their last six matches. As they begin their asecent up the table, the Quakes are beginning to grow in confidence especially after starting the season poorly near the foot of the table. San Jose will get a further boost on Sunday when Johnson or Wondolowski will return to Buck Shaw Stadium depending on the result in the Gold Cup quarterfinal between Johnson's Jamaica and Wondolowski's United States.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
The scoring drought for Seattle Sounders forwards has become a larger and larger problem for the Rave Green. Forwards have not notched a goal for Seattle in 623 minutes as the team sits in the middle of the Western Conference pack. For Seattle, the time has come to rely on players with a bit more grit than others -- guys like "the little bulldog" Mike Fucito.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
At the center of the Whitecaps recent coaching change has been the goalkeeper position. Former head coach Teitur Thordarson had backup Jay Nolly entrenched at the spot before being fired last month allowing new head coach Tom Soehn to place veteran Joe Cannon between the pipes for the Caps. Cannon recently spoke to The Province about the frustrations and trials of being placed on the bench in Vancouver.
