Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Becks Draws Monster Crowd, Boos & Cheers

Record 66,000 watch his first start in US soccer at Giants Stadium

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 19, 2007 6:49 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A record crowd of more than 66,000 turned out yesterday to watch soccer star David Beckham make his first US Major League Soccer start at Giants Stadium. New York Red Bulls fans booed him when he battled for his Los Angeles Galaxies—but cheered the shirtless Becks at game's end. “I’ve had that at many grounds—and worse,” he said of the boos.

 “It’s nice when you win and you can smile at the people booing you.” But despite his three assists, Becks' team lost 5-4. Bulls games typically draw 11,000 fans. Nobody in soccer "can sell tickets the way Beckham can," said a player. The goal count was so high that Beckham said it reminded him of games he played as a boy.

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham passes the ball during second-half MLS soccer against the New York Red Bulls, Saturday night, Aug. 18, 2007, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham passes the ball during second-half MLS soccer against the New York Red Bulls, Saturday night, Aug. 18, 2007, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Galaxy defender Chris Klein, second from right, confronts New York Red Bulls midfielder Joe Vide, left, after Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, right, was tackled during first-half MLS soccer Saturday night, Aug. 18, 2007, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Galaxy defender Chris Klein, second from right, confronts New York Red Bulls midfielder Joe Vide, left, after Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, right, was tackled during first-half MLS soccer...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham (23) has his direct kick blocked by Jozy Altidore (17) and the rest of the New York Red Bulls wall during the second half at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Saturday, Aug.18, 2007. The Red Bulls defeated the Galaxy 5-4. (AP...
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham (23) has his direct kick blocked by Jozy Altidore (17) and the rest of the New York Red Bulls wall during the second half at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford,...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham leaves the field after the New York Red Bulls beat the Galaxy, 5-4, during MLS soccer Saturday night, Aug. 18, 2007, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham leaves the field after the New York Red Bulls beat the Galaxy, 5-4, during MLS soccer Saturday night, Aug. 18, 2007, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J....   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham (23)reacts to the crowd after the New York Red Bulls defeated the Galaxy, 5-4, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Saturday, Aug.18, 2007. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham (23)reacts to the crowd after the New York Red Bulls defeated the Galaxy, 5-4, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Saturday, Aug.18, 2007. (AP Photo/Rich...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham smiles during warm-ups before their game against the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007. The Red Bulls defeated the Galaxy, 5-4. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham smiles during warm-ups before their game against the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007. The Red Bulls defeated...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, left, heads the ball away from New York Red Bulls defender Jeff Parke, right, during second-half MLS soccer Saturday night, Aug. 18, 2007, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. It was the 10th time in MLS history teams have combined for nine...
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, left, heads the ball away from New York Red Bulls defender Jeff Parke, right, during second-half MLS soccer Saturday night, Aug. 18, 2007, at Giants Stadium...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is tripped up by New York Red Bulls Dave van den Bergh, right during first half MLS soccer Saturday night, Aug. 18, 2007 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is tripped up by New York Red Bulls Dave van den Bergh, right during first half MLS soccer Saturday night, Aug. 18, 2007 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford,...   (Associated Press)
New York Red Bulls' Juan Pablo Angel, top fights off Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham for control of the ball during the second half at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Saturday, Aug.18, 2007. The Red Bulls defeated the Galaxy 5-4. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Red Bulls' Juan Pablo Angel, top fights off Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham for control of the ball during the second half at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Saturday, Aug.18, 2007....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Related Articles

More details on Becks' big debut
Associated Press

New York boos
New York Times

US • Celebrity • Sports

 
soccer • David Beckham • Los Angeles Galaxy • Major League Soccer • New York Red Bulls

More Newser Stories

Beckham Shrugs Off Boos During LA Galaxy Return

Beckham Signs New 2-Year Deal With LA Galaxy

Becks May Check Out of Hotel California

Beckham Injury Overshadows On-Field Loss

Beckham Scores!
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne