Beckham will miss game against Houston: A fan’s reaction

Posted Tuesday, May 24, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Get ready to be down a Designated Player against the Houston Dynamo, fellow Los Angeles Galaxy fans.

David Beckham is missing another match. Unlike the previous game which Beckham did not participate in against the Philadelphia Union, age and injury are not factors.

Having gained permission from manager Bruce Arena, Beckham will be heading to England to play in Gary Neville's testimonial match against the Italian side Juventus. Neville and Beckham are close friends (Neville served as Beckham's best man) and former teammates. Both Englishmen helped the Red Devils win success in the English Premiership throughout the 1990s. Beckham and Neville were both part of the "Class of 1992" which rose through the ranks of United's youth academy to star for the senior club.

Neville would like to build a supporters' club building (which would accommodate 1,500 fans and include a hotel) next to United's stadium, Old Trafford, with funds raised from the testimonial match. Beckham's presence is hoped to raise attendance for the match which will feature other players from the 1992 class, such as Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, and Ryan Giggs. Neville's testimonial will take place on May 24, the day before the Galaxy's game against the Dynamo. Beckham will play in the game for Neville and then fly directly to Boston before the rest of the Galaxy arrive for the May 28 match against the New England Revolution.

The Galaxy will miss the midfielder's presence against Houston. The Dynamo are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference. Beckham leads our side with six assists during the 2011 season. He's had two of his best games in recent memory in back to back outings. Beckham earned goal of the week for his wonderful bending free kick effort against Sporting Kansas City. He followed that up with the game-winning assist on Chad Barrett's goal in the SuperClasico on May 21.

I don't think there is any chance of an injury for Beckham in the testimonial match. What we Galaxy fans have to worry about as far as Beckham's health is concerned is the potential for jet lag for the game against the Revs.