Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis says Beckham drama taking focus away from other MLS stories
By APFriday, July 17, 2009
Revolution’s Reis says Beckham drama distracting
LOWELL, Mass. — New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis says David Beckham’s return to the Los Angeles Galaxy and his inevitable return to AC Milan are distracting from other interesting stories in Major League Soccer.
Attending an event for an immigrant soccer tournament in Lowell on Thursday, Reis said that Beckham may sell plenty of celebrity magazines, but that all MLS teams have players from around the world who have compelling personal stories.
“There (are) plenty of other pieces and other stories that are out there,” said the Atlanta-born Reis, who played college soccer at UCLA and was originally drafted by the Galaxy in 1998.
Beckham returned Thursday in the Galaxy’s 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls. He has publicly feuded with Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan and drawn fire from U.S. soccer fans for not taking the MLS seriously.
A new book on Beckham also claims the 34-year-old midfielder found travel accommodations in MLS “shocking.”
Beckham joined the Galaxy in July 2007 under a $32.5 million, five-year deal following four seasons at Real Madrid.
Slowed by ankle and knee injuries, he played just eight matches for the Galaxy that year with one goal. While healthier last year — he played 25 matches — Los Angeles again missed the playoffs.
