Chris Birchall

[JJ McClure]

Came on for LA Galaxy as a 70th min sub for David Beckham in their 3-1 win over New York.
I wonder how playing at Giants Stadium compares to bench warming at Withdean?

 

[Seagulltonian]

Did we get some L.A. Galaxy tracksuits as part of the transfer fee

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Any idea how Becks did?

 

[Juan Albion]

Any idea how Becks did?

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- David Beckham returned to Major League Soccer with a whisper, not a shout.

Playing in a stadium nearly three-quarters empty, the star midfielder was slow and had little role in the Los Angeles Galaxy's 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night.

"The most important thing is for us to get three points, and tonight we did that in style," Beckham said.

In his first match since the Italian League's season finale on May 31, Beckham was often behind the play and seemed winded. He had no free-kick chances near the goal, didn't make any crosses that created threats and didn't even take all the Galaxy corner kicks while he was in the match.

Fans scurried down the aisles to get better pictures when he did take corner kicks, but he was booed at times.

"A few tonight, but it's to be expected," he said. "It's sometimes nice to get the boos. It gives you some inspiration,"

Los Angeles drew 66,237 for its 5-4 win at the Red Bulls two years ago, the largest soccer crowd at Giants Stadium for a U.S. league game in 27 years. Attendance dropped to 46,754 for last year's 2-2 tie and fell by 50 per cent to 23,238 Thursday. Eleven of 36 sections in lower deck were covered with navy tarp, and there were only a handful of people in the second deck and none at all in the third.

 

[beorhthelm]

sounds like how Beckham play, or Birchall for that matter, is the leat of their concerns if the attendance is dropping like that.

 

[Superphil]

23238, Not bad for a midweek game, with a 2440 mile each way journey

 

[Juan Albion]

I think you'll find that all is happening is the Beckham factor has worn off and the crowd is returning to normal. The previous crowds were only big because of him.

That and the fact that NY have played 20, won only two and lost 14. Fairweather supporters.

 

[Marc1901]

birchill is shit , and in the words of benitez , thats a fact !

 

[Juan Albion]

And now even Beckham's own fans are completely ticked with him:

"CARSON, Calif. -- David Beckham is getting a rough reception in his first home game of the season with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The English star was booed more than cheered during introductions Sunday night when the Galaxy hosted AC Milan in a friendly.

Beckham was booed the first time he touched the ball as the game got under way. He was booed again when he took his first corner kick.

One of the Galaxy's fan groups held up several signs deriding Beckham, who has missed the first half of the Major League Soccer season while he was on a five-month loan to AC Milan.

One sign reads, "Go home fraud" while another says, "23: Repent."

Beckham will only play six more home games this season.

Earlier this year, Beckham said he wanted to remain with the Italian club rather than return to the Galaxy because he believed the level of play is much better in Europe than in the U.S."

 

[brightonben]

birchill is shit , and in the words of benitez , thats a fact !

birchall was quality

 

[BensGrandad]

I think that Birchall showed signs of being a quality midfielder when he was used in a central role, which was not often enough, and had he been played there more often we would have prospered, but that is all behind us now, lets move on.