Every pundit across the globe is having and has already had a field day with this one: David Beckham and his star-studded demotion into the MLS and the American Soccer Lore of a Game that could never be.

I am not sure what is more sickening, the multitudinous amount of money Becks looks to soak out of an every-green market (built mainly on a regional, marginal market appeal), or the hype and attention on a “market” that has already seen the likes of Pele, Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, and Hugo Sanchez grace the fields and TV screens across America, for we have already seen the biggest stars come and go.

For it doesn’t matter what age or year we talk about American Soccer, it always seems to be a question of getting the game to grow anew. And though Becks claims to be sacrificing to make soccer a “hit” in America, it seems like déjà vu with the league now on slippery ground.

In terms of enjoyment, it is hard to believe that Beckham in the twilight of his prime will enjoy playing with the likes of American Athletes. From a young winger, who played with the likes of Eric Cantona, to a makeshift central midfielder in his first few years with Real, and back to a right sided midfielder with rare determination, it will be interesting to see Becks’ “work rate” in the green-and-yellow of the Galaxy.

Of course the sub-standard MLS referees will be protecting him, but still this may be the first time Beckham will receive American football-like clippings from upstart American collegiate players from Ruetgers and William and Mary. While Beckham will certainly be the highest paid of the bunch, he could very well be the player with the lest education. 

But in reality, after having failed to live up to the ‘galatico’ label pinned on him at Real, I guess the next best thing for Beckham is playing for the Galaxy.

He showed that he was a great player for Manchester United, but not a great player.  His time at Real Madrid did not even end up as good as his lesser compatriot, Steve McMannaman, who won a Champions League Title with the likes of a younger Raul and the ever steady Fernando Hierro.

Beckham, as a ‘galatico,’ showed the inability to play at the level of Zidane, Figo, and Roberto Carlos most of the time, as well as the failed experiment (or was it Beckham’s claim?) of making himself a central midfielder (I hear he’s to play in the Center for the Galaxy).

Of course he’d come through at times and provide his trademark free kicks and occasional cross from his Man. United days, but for the hype and tradition of his name, Beckham had a horrible time at it in Madrid.

To bad the MLS doesn’t have a free kick sub rule, where Beckham would be allowed to enter the field only for free kicks and corners, but with whatever right-field marketing schemes always on the minds of American soccer executives, you just never know.

Sunday provides the first test for Mourinho and Chelsea in their endeavor to become EPL three-peat champions. If Man. U defeats Man. City in the Manchester derby on Saturday, the Red Devils will push their lead to 9 pts., albeit having played two extra games, for the time being.

If this is the case, Chelsea will find themselves in a situation they haven’t been in before in the past few years—a possibility of dropping points, and with Arsenal coming to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, the possibility is as real as it is ever going to be.

Of course, Arsenal comes into the match having played very poorly in a fixtured-pack string of games whereas Chelsea, very interestingly, was given a rest last weekend when their game against Newcastle was postponed.

Arsene Wenger not only has his water-Gunners to worry about, but the fact that Chelsea is more rested will be giving Wenger nightmares over the next couple of days. Having just witnessed one of the worst performances in recent Gunner history, Wenger’s justifications for the inconsistent form of his “young” and developing side are beginning to lose flavor and merit.

It will be hard for the Gunners to regain their confidence in such a short amount of time, and with the hunger of “The Drogba” to be English Striker Number One, it just might be one of those games where the Arsenal find themselves the butt end of a one-sided score line.

They were punished by Anelka and Bolton a few games ago, lost to Fulham, and were lucky in the mid-week to hang on for a draw against FC Porto in the Champions League. At the moment, it’s a team in disarray and with identity problems: everything you don’t want when you go up against the strength of the talented man mountains of Stamford Bridge.

While Chelsea is not winning any style points for their pure footballing performances, their outfit is built on strength, power, and efficiency unmatched in the English game. This spells trouble for the meek midfielders of Arsenal, who have struggled under the strong challenges of other hard, but very average, English teams.

While the mid-week’s International fixtures provided both Euro 2008 flavor, as well as International friendly flair, the accolades go primarily to Robbie Keane, Eduardo, and Simao for their contributions to the only thing that matters in competitive football matches—the score-line. Robbie Keane and Eduardo both bagged hat-tricks while Simao hit a brace in Euro 2008 qualifying encounters.

Croatia’s naturalized-Brazilian, Eduardo hit for three as Croatia tipped Israel (4-3) to lead the pack in a very tight group race that also sees Russia catapult England in the pecking order of Group E with their (2-0) victory over Macedonia. The Tottenham striker also scored three in Ireland’s (5-0) cruise over San Marino. While the result leaves the Irish still third from bottom in Group D, they have at least restored some Irish pride with two recent victories.

Portugal clawed back some hope as their (3-0) victory over Kazakhstan leaves them only 4 pts. off the lead (though still in 4th spot) of Group A.

Other notable scorers in the mid-week International Friendlies were Rooney, Drogba, and Kaka as all strikers found the net for their country. Rooney finally scored for England in their (1-1) draw on the road in Holland as Van der Vaart pulled a late leveler for the Dutch. Drogba scored the game winner in (1-0) victory over Sweden, and Kaka scored in the (2-1) victory over Switzerland.

Tottenham defeated Chelsea (2-1) in a thumping match that left Mourinho in a fog, pointing fingers at Graham Poll for what the Chelsea manager deemed inconsistent and damaging decisions.  

Chelsea opened the scoring through Makelele and looked destined to continue their winning ways at White Heart Lane, where Spurs had not defeated the champions on their home turf since 1987 when the mullet was king. Makelele hit a breath taking volley for a man that is asked to shore up the defense and provide the steel in the midfield.

Spurs were not disheartened though and Michael Dawson leveled the score with a glancing header that lifted the spirits of Spurs and convinced them that they could compete with Mourinho’s men.

The 2nd half provided just as much intrigue and passion as both teams looked for the go ahead goal. Teenager, Aaron Lennon sent the Spurs’ faithful into a frenzy as he placed a left-footed bender into the net past a wrong footed Chelsea defense. Robbie Keane was able to wriggle free from defender Boulahrouz on the right before playing in a cross that was deflected into the path of Lennon, who still had to settle the ball and maneuver between Ashley Cole and John Terry to unleash the game winner.

Chelsea pushed forward looking for the equalizer, but captain, John Terry was shown the red card after a pushing and yelling sequence with Tottenham players. It was difficult to see the real cause of the expulsion, but based on Terry’s reaction it was clear that he knew that he did something to receive his walking papers.

Even with 10 men, Chelsea continued to push forward, and Tottenham with constant help from injured defender, Chimbonda, was a bit lucky not to concede. Nonetheless, Spurs kept all 3 pts., dropping Chelsea 3 pts. behind Manchester United at the top of the table.

Playing without injured striker Martin Palermo and not playing in the dominate fashion that they had enjoyed under Alfio Basile, Boca still have found a way to keep apace of the trailing pack. Going into Round 14 of Futbol Argentino, Boca has regained the top spot on 29 pts. with still a game in hand on River Plate and Estudiantes, who both sit just one point beneath Boca level on 28 pts.

The jury, however, is still out on Boca manager, La Volpe as Boca have stammered in the transition period between coaches, but they seem to have turned the corner and regained some of their confidence. Their convincing performance against Argentinos Juniors gave the faithful at La Bombonera some ease of mind as well as some breathing room for La Volpe, who is finding that the pressure of managing the Mexican National team is nothing in comparison to managing the fabled Buenos Aires club.

In the 1st half, Boca’s Juan Krupoviesa was denied a goal as Argentinos’ keeper did well to deny the defender’s well placed free-kick; however, Krupoviesa was not to be denied in the 41st min. as he crashed in with a header at the back post to take Boca into half-time with a goal cushion.

Boca continued to apply the pressure in the 2nd half and fellow defender, Daniel Diaz, was unlucky not to add to the score-line for Boca as his rasping right-footed free-kick was denied by the post.

Boca were rewarded in the 74th min., however, as striker Palencio turned provider, playing a neat ball across the goal for the on rushing Mauro Boselli to push home into the empty net. Argentinos Juniors fought back with a goal in the 86th min. to cut the lead in half at the end.    
    
Though Boca defeated Argentinos Juniors at the weekend and tied Racing Club in their make-up fixture on Wednesday, it was the inability of River Plate to not pull out a victory this past Sunday that placed Boca back in the driver’s seat. River Plate faced a tougher opponent in Independiente, but the story was not that exciting as they played out to a scoreless draw.

Estudiantes kept apace of the two usual suspects as they defeated Nueva Chicago. Striker Mariano Pavone put Estudiantes in the lead in the 18th min. with a pile driver of a left foot that he blasted upper 90 from just outside the 18. Nueva Chicago then provided a gift in the form of the own goal before Higuain the elder finished off a goal to cut the lead. Pavone then missed a spot kick at the end of the game, but Diego Simeone’s men walked away with all 3 pts.

This Sunday the pressure cooker is on as the race is so tight between the three. Boca face Arsenal in a tough match as Arsenal has played themselves into contention this season, sitting in 4th place on 25 pts. Estudiantes and River don’t have it any easier though as Veron and Co. play Velez Sarsfield while Gallardo and Co. play San Lorenzo.

Savages don’t forget this weekend will host both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. On Sunday all will be determined about which teams will battle it out for the 2007 MLS Cup. DC United will face the New England Revolution (4 pm ET) at RFK Stadium for the Eastern title while the Western title will go to either the Houston Dynamo or the Colorado Rapids (5 pm ET at Robertson Stadium).

In the West, Houston finally did away with Chivas USA, who had jumped out to a 2-1 advantage from the 1st leg. In the 2nd leg at home, Houston took advantage of the expulsion of star-striker Palencia and powered home two goals to win 3-2 on aggregate. In the other match, 4th seed Colorado pulled off the unthinkable as they defeated top seed FC Dallas in PKs. Two Goals from Niko Presley on the road helped Colorado overcome the odds while Maestroane finished off the game-ending spot kick.

On the East Coast, DC United continued their mastery over the Eastern Conference as well as the Red Bulls and defeated Arena’s men 2-1 on aggregate though the second game was level on one goal. Not much separated the teams in the second match between New England Revolution and the Chicago Fire as PKs where need to see the Revolution through to the Conference Final.

Chalk up your Champions Savages! The Finals are just a week away!

The 265th historic match between Inter Milan and AC Milan featured a goal fest (though Inter was in the driver’s seat throughout the 90 min.). Inter opened a (2-0) lead in the 1st half behind goals from Crespo and Stankovic.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic added another for Inter right after half-time before Clarence Seedorf opened the scoring for AC Milan. Materazzi, Inter’s dubious defender, scored the 4th and pushed Inter back to their 3 goal cushion, but was then red-carded (2nd yellow) for taking off his jersey in celebration.

With 10-men, Inter looked less formidable, and AC Milan was able to put pressure on the Serie A leaders with two late goals from Gilardino and Kaka. This time the damage was not catastrophic for Inter, but Mancini must be both frustrated and cautious about his team’s lack of discipline.

Though the MLS is in a serious showdown this weekend to determine which teams will make their Conference Final, we interrupt this program to remind savages that this weekend will be spectacle to the most classic of Serie A derbies!

Though Inter Milan is King of the Mountain (level on pts. with Palermo, albeit), AC Milan will provide the first passionate test for Inter at the “old home” of the San Siro (dual grounds for both these Italian Giants) for the 265th time.

Coming off a (4-1) dominating victory over Livorno in the mid-week, Inter will look to add insult to injury by defeating their cross-town superiors. The resurgence of Recoba and Julio Cruz have added the scoring juice for manager, Mancini, and with Zlatan and Crespo as options, it is no wonder that Adriano has been sent home to lose some weight, as they had been calling him “The Bigger” Ronaldo around the training pitch. All joking aside, I hope that Adriano recovers his form quickly to remind all savages of his explosive striking power.

AC Milan meanwhile fought out a (1-0) victory on Wednesday against Chievo Verona, yet it appears they have a higher mountain to climb on Saturday. A lack of striking confidence in his side, Ancelotti looks set to pack his mid-field and lead his line with the lone striker Inzaghi, trying to sniff out the goals.

This past Sunday pitted two of England’s big giants in a crucial match as Chelsea had already defeated Portsmouth (2-1) to leap frog United into top spot of the EPL on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson was hoping that the historic occasion would sway to his side and not spoil Paul Scholes 500th appearance for the Red Devils. Wayne Rooney was also making his 100th appearance for Man. United while Steven Gerard played in his 350th appearance for Liverpool.

Regardless of all the milestones, the only milestone on the minds of both clubs was the three points at the end of the game. The home team did not falter and put on a fine performance in front of 75 thousand plus at Old Trafford.

Paul Scholes scored a bungling type goal on a goal line skirmish, but it was Rio Ferdinand who dazzled the crowd, as his sublime first-time take from off a cross set himself up for an equally impressive strike that he sent past Reina curling into the upper 90.

Man. United has reclaimed top honors for the moment while Liverpool is in league limbo right now and is already eleven points adrift with the loss to Sir Alex’s men.

Rijkaard’s men come into the penultimate encounter of Spanish football on an emotional low as they were defeated (1-0) by Chelsea in the mid-week’s Champions League Match day.

It was not the turning, wonder strike the Drogba delivered at the outset of the 2nd half that sealed Barcelona’s fate; it was the inability and frustration of a side that could not find any rhythm, or answers, to ever really challenge the Chelsea defense.

While third-string keeper Hilario made a few necessary saves in the 1st half, the Chelsea defense was like a big blue sponge that just soaked and soaked up Barcelona pressure, never leaking away opportunities for Ronaldinho and Co.

With Barcelona opening a slight lead at the mountain-top of La Liga, Rijkaard then faced his first true challenge with the emotionally charge, historic derby against Real Madrid, who in truth haven’t fared much better, as their inconsistent form still seem to riddle the team even under new-coach Capello.

Madrid, however, was coming off another impressive Champions League victory and not defeat; like their old rivals; their league form is another manner as their recent (1-0) loss to Getafe raised many eyebrows last week. With the obvious quality in their side it remains baffling how Real Madrid has struggled to claim trophies in the past few years.

On Sunday Real Madrid turned the tables on Barcelona who sputtered once again in defeat. The goals by Van Nistelrooy and Raul secured a sound victory on home soil pulling Madrid up the table with 14 pts. just two points behind joint leaders Barcelona and Valencia.

Barcelona faces Recreativo Huelva on Sunday and will be hoping that Ronaldinho molts out of his poor form and displays the dominance of pre-R10 days. Certainly his teammates are realizing on the field that with Eto’o injured, Ronaldinho needs to find his focus and inspiration soon, or it could be their reverse déjà vu match against Chelsea that causes the pain of defeat again.