...Naturally, RSL coach Jason Kreis departed Rice-Eccles Stadium upset.
"I thought it was a fantastic crowd and I thought we disappointed the crowd," he said. "I thought we should have and could have done better in that match to thank them for coming to support us because they were fantastic."
"I realized that it would almost always be that way when we were in Australia and 85,000 fans were turning out," Beckham said of playing in front of large crowds. "It it better that way. When there are fans out to see the game it gives the players a lift. No one wants to go out and play in a nearly empty or half empty stadium."
"It's pop culture and he's a handsome man," Kreis said about Beckham's popularity. "First and foremost, it was his game that brought attention to him, and his looks have kept it."
"We know the significance of tomorrow, and we just need to come out and play like we're capable of playing," said RSL defender Chris Wingert. "We need to get wins; ties aren't good enough especially at home. We need to come out with that attitude; I think we will."
"He's just a player, like us," Rimando said. "If anything, the referees have a say out there. If they're trying to protect him or if they're trying to give him calls that they wouldn't give ordinary players, then it affects the game. The referees have been good so far."
Next week, the field is scheduled to be grated and the sub-air heating system installed. In addition, drilling will begin on "80,000 holes for chair back seats that will fill the bowl." The stadium is expected to be ready in October, in time for the MLS playoffs. "This is what will grow soccer in the U.S.," Beckham said.
"I'm very proud to be here, very proud to be representing the Galaxy," said the L.A. midfielder, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Friday. "I'm very proud to be here two years after when I first heard the plans and saw what was going to be built. It looked special then and it looks even more special now.
"You've got a passionate team and a very passionate manager that will make this stadium proud..."
RSL vs LAG Tonight/Rice-Eccles Stadium/7:00 pm
