David Beckham to make home debut for LA Galaxy against AC Milan

Beckham to make home debut against AC Milan

CARSON, Calif. — Seven weeks after wearing AC Milan’s jersey, David Beckham is ready to compete against the perennial Italian power with the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham and the Galaxy will play AC Milan on Sunday night in an exhibition, Beckham’s first home game since returning from Italy on July 10.

“I’m looking forward to it but it’s going to be funny,” Beckham said about playing against recent teammates. “You’re always going to come up against teams you’ve played with and against in the past. It won’t be too strange.”

Despite losing stars Kaka to Real Madrid and Paolo Maldini to retirement, AC Milan still has Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato and Andrea Pirlo.

“We’ll be competitive, that’s for sure,” Galaxy forward Landon Donovan said. “For a lot of our guys, this is a very good opportunity. We don’t want to stand around like cones and get embarrassed.”

One of AC Milan’s newest acquisitions is defender Oguchi Onyewu, who started for the United States in last month’s FIFA Confederations Cup and in the 2006 World Cup.

Onyewu signed with Milan on July 7 but is expected to play later this week, as AC Milan competes in the World Soccer Challenge.

Beckham played in his first MLS game this year Thursday night against New York in East Rutherford, N.J. During the Galaxy’s 3-1 victory, fans booed Beckham every time he touched the ball.

How does the midfielder expect to be received at home?

“We’ll have to wait and see,” Beckham said. “It’s great for myself to be back playing in front of the fans that we’ve got. They’ve always been amazing to me since I’ve been here. I hope it continues.”

Beckham, who played 70 minutes against New York, said he wants to increase that total Sunday night.

“Coming back after a while of not playing, it’s easy to get an injury,” Beckham said. “It’s important that I work hard and don’t put myself in any silly positions.”

The match was part of the last-minute agreement between the Galaxy, Major League Soccer and AC Milan to extend Beckham’s loan to the end of the Serie A season in May. Originally, Beckham had to return to the Galaxy in March.