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Resignation, and anger, over Becks' absence

Galaxy fans cope with loss of English star for weeks because of knee injury

The Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham, center, waves to fans from a luxury box with his sons, Romeo, left, and Brooklyn, in Carson, Calif., on Saturday.
Francis Specker / AP
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updated 9:57 p.m. ET Sept. 2, 2007

CARSON, Calif. - Disappointment, resignation, support and anger describe how the Los Angeles Galaxy's fans feel about David Beckham's prolonged absence.

Beckham, who arrived in July with a sprained left ankle, will miss at least six weeks after spraining his right knee in Wednesday night's SuperLiga tournament final.

"If it wasn't for David Beckham, we wouldn't be here watching the game," Al Simone of Torrance said before Saturday night's 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake.

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"Nor would these season tickets have been purchased," added Bellflower's Dean Zamloch, a guest of a season-ticket holder. "We were hoping to see him but, ultimately, that's sports and that kind of stuff happens."

Beckham's presence attracted Canadian fans Rachel Hugh from Calgary, her mother and four daughters, who wore Galaxy jerseys with Beckham's name and number.

"We came just to bring our four daughters who play soccer to watch Beckham play," Hugh said. "They're missing a tournament back home to watch him play. He can't help the injury, though."

Since coming to the Galaxy, Beckham has played 306 minutes in six of the Galaxy's 13 games. Beckham made four starts, scored one goal and added four assists.

"I feel badly for him," said Kayla Thomas of Los Angeles, who added that she purchased season tickets for the first time because of Beckham.

"I believe in soccer as a sport but Beckham's presence was the tipping point," Thomas said. "Of course, I'd like to see him play but I do understand some of the other ramifications."

Pasadena's Rashmi Malpe, one of five season-ticket holders in her group, wants Beckham to rest and recover.

"It's all right; he's going to be here for five years," Malpe said. "We would be very upset if he comes back when he's hurt and continues to play. We'd rather have him healthy and here rather than just play because of pressure from people."

But Debbie and Josh Munch from Chino Hills are among those season-ticket holders angry with Galaxy management.

"Compared to other teams, I think they're using (Beckham) to take advantage of us," Debbie Munch said. "I think they're taking advantage of the fact that they can charge the money they're charging.

"Everybody's very disappointed with the way the team's playing and with the way everything is being run. We're all very unhappy. You can see it in the crowds and just in general conversation."

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Josh Munch blames Beckham's arrival for the numerous trades that General Manager Alexi Lalas made -- and for the resulting lack of cohesion on the field.

"You can't win a game without consistency," he said. "Lalas has only been thinking about Beckham and trying to make the team around Beckham. He totally got rid of the whole team just because we brought Beckham in." For Debbie Munch, Beckham's absence is irrelevant.

"I don't really care one way or another," she said. "I don't think it's all about Beckham and they're making it all about Beckham. I think this team could win with or without him."

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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