LA stars descend on Phl turf

MANILA, Philippines - We all know David Beckham, the English superstar largely acknowledged as one of the best deadball specialists and crossers of the ball in the world, his swerving kicks a potent weapon in the LA Galaxy’s recent MLS Cup triumph. And prior to that with Manchester U, Real Madrid and England national team.

His face has regularly graced the covers of magazines and advertisements, considered a fashion icon like his wife Victoria Beckham, adding to the 36-year-old midfielder’s popularity off the pitch.

But Beckham is not all there is in the clubs’ galaxy of stars.

Their captain, American star Landon Donovan, is equally as lethal.

Adjudged MLS Cup MVP, Donovan is the all-time leading scorer for both the Galaxy and the US national team, admired for his “pace and versatility that allows him to play both up front or wide in the midfield.”

Striker Robbie Keane is another scoring machine for LA, bringing over his reputation as Ireland’s top scorer in the international scene. He knocked down the marginal goal (14th minute) in LA’s 1-0 triumph over Indonesia selection in Wednesday’s friendly over in Jakarta. Keane earlier assisted the winning goal for Donovan in the 72nd minute of the 2011 MLS Cup Final last November, beating the Houston Dynamo, 1-0.

Other stars to watch are defenders Omar Gonzalez and Todd Dunivant, who joined Beckham and Donovan in the MLS Best XI, the league’s equivalent of the Mythical Selection.

Gonzalez, one of the best young central defenders in the league, won 2011 MLS Defender of the Year honors. He is described as “a constant danger on attacking set pieces,” being “at his best when he’s able to attack the ball in the air.”

Dunivant is recognized as one of the most dependable left backs in the MLS, appearing in nearly 200 regular season games in eight years.

Rounding up the Galaxy roster in Manila are Brian Perk, 2010 goalkeeper of the year Donovan Ricketts, and Josh Saunders (goalkeeper); Gregg Berhalter, AJ DeLa Garza, Sean Franklin, Frankie Hejduk, Dasan Robinson, and Ryan Thomas (defenders);

Chris Berchall, Paolo Cardozo, Mike Magee, Michael Stephens (midfielders); and Adam Cristman, Miguel Lopez, Jack McBean, Hector Jimenez, Bryan Jordan, Juninho, Dan Keat, Jovan Kirovski, Dustin McCarty, and Michael Stephens (forwards).

Calling the shots is Bruce Arena, himself a distinguished football coach, being a member of the 2010 induction class of the National Soccer Hall of of Fame. Arena is one of the most successful head coaches in US national team history.