Today’s News, Saturday , May.31

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Morning,GAME DAY !!!!



Galaxy's back, but no Becks again
'I'm disappointed for the fans and the ladies,' says Carver, but coach happy he's not here

Morgan Campbell
Sports Reporter
One more visit from the L.A. Galaxy and one more chance for local fans not to see David Beckham.
Last August the Galaxy's $250 million (U.S.) man sat out with a sore ankle, missing his projected MLS debut and the team's only trip to Toronto. And this season a return to England's national team will keep him away from BMO Field yet again.
If Toronto's fans are disappointed at missing Beckham again, TFC head coach John Carver feels their pain. But only a little.
"I'm disappointed for the fans and the ladies in the crowd," Carver said after Thursday's practice. "But I'm absolutely over the moon he's not here because he's still a top player."
Last week in Kansas City Beckham dispelled any doubts about whether his skills have diminished when he scored from 70 yards out in added time.
And on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium his pinpoint passing helped England to a 2-0 win over the U.S. in a friendly.
Beckham's still with England's national team this weekend, and his high-profile teammate Landon Donovan might also sit out today with a sore groin.

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Toronto FC, Galaxy clash on Soccer Day


Jim Brennan will be there. David Beckham won't.
Toronto FC hosts the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday as part of CBC Sports' Soccer Day in Canada broadcast (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 3:30 pm ET) but Beckham, the beautiful game's biggest star, won't be on the field.
The Galaxy midfielder will be away on international duty this weekend, playing for the English national team in an exhibition game Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.
This is the second year in a row Beckham has snubbed Toronto — a nagging ankle injury prevented the English star from playing in last August's regular-season contest between Toronto FC and the Galaxy at BMO Field.
Toronto coach John Carver isn't exactly broken up over the Englishman's absence.
"I'm disappointed for the fans and the ladies in the crowd, but I'm absolutely over the moon that he's not here, because he's still a top player," Carver said. "I'm delighted he's not here.

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BMO turf may sideline Donovan
By DEAN MCNULTY, SUN MEDIA


If Landon Donovan is on the sidelines this afternoon when his L.A. Galaxy faces Toronto FC, credit should go to BMO Field.
Already missing superstar David Beckham to international duty, Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit said yesterday that Donovan will be a game-time decision after the MLS all-star suffered a groin pull prior to joining the U.S. national team in London for an exhibition match against England this past Wednesday.
But Donovan insisted yesterday, after going through a light workout at BMO, that he feels the unforgiving field turf at TFC's pitch is more of a factor than the state of his injury.
"I first injured it last Saturday, but it has been getting better and better each day," he said. "But I want to be smart about it. And yes the turf (at BMO) definitely plays into the decision. It's not the easiest surface to have when you are trying to get back into the game."


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Xavier to sit out due to Artificial Turf woes

The Galaxy play at Toronto FC today but defender Abel Xavier did not make the trip. The former Portuguese national team member does not play games on artificial turf because he said it bothers his knee.
Can you imagine an NFL player skipping all his team's games on Field Turf?
"That's a great question," Galaxy defender Chris Klein said. "I don't even think that it could be explained."
Call it one of the cultural differences between soccer and other sports.
Xavier said when he played at Toronto last season, it was the first time a field had something other than natural grass in his 20-year career.
"Yeah, I was shocked," Xavier said. "The question is why does the league allow it? I started having problems with my knee in Toronto (last year).



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TURF 2 - LA Galaxy 0



Call ups thin out TFC squad

Toronto FC announced that four members of the club will depart for international duty a day after the team hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy at BMO Field on Saturday, May 31.

Captain Jim Brennan (Canada) and defenders Tyrone Marshall (Jamaica) and Marco Velez (Puerto Rico) will all depart June 1 for their respective camps. Midfielder Maurice Edu is expected to depart for Spain after having been named to the initial roster for the U.S. MNT friendly when they play in the Spanish city of Santander June 4. The roster will not be confirmed until after the weekend fixtures in MLS. Edu just returned home to Toronto late Thursday after earning his fifth cap after the Americans 2-0 loss to England. Edu entered the game in the 78th minute to play in his first ever match at the new Wembley Stadium. If he is confirmed for the Spain match, Edu will return prior to Toronto’s next game on June 8 in Houston against the Dynamo.

Brennan will join teammate Greg Sutton with the Canadian National squad when they face Panama in a friendly in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, on June 4. The Toronto captain currently sits on 44 caps and made his last appearance when the Canadians were in action at BMO Field September 12, 2007 in a friendly against Cost Rica. Both Brennan and Sutton will return to the Toronto FC lineup for the June 8 match in Houston.

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