I'll go out on a limb here and bet that David Beckham is in uniform with the LA Galaxy for the match at BMO Field on May 31st.
There's also no question he'll suit up for England against the U.S. three days earlier, but for the game in Trinidad and Tobago a week later, I'm betting Fabio Capello will use other players. What's the point in putting Beckham and some of the other front-line players through that?
TFC head coach John Carver disagreed with me on that point Tuesday. He says that if you look at it from Beckham's point of view, he's driven to play as many games as he can for England and wouldn't be surprised if he plays in both friendlies.
Carver, by the way was in fine form; he can't wait for the Columbus game Saturday. 'Excited' was the word he used. Looking forward to seeing how this team now stacks up against one of the league's best.
He also went on about the atmosphere at BMO Field and the grumbling recently from certain quarters that the streamers thrown mid-match at opposing players is bush league. Carver says rubbish. Take away the passion and he'd be ready to pack it in. No opposing players have ever complained by the way. Most, in fact love it.
Fitness testing took centre stage Tuesday and the coaching staff is delighted with the progress the players have made in that department.
In other news, Carver is talking with National Team coach Dale Mitchell regularly about which players will get the call this summer. Carver figures they'll work it out nicely. Having former Canadian international Mitchell on board to act as liaison between the two groups certainly helps.
On the player front, Carver is warming up to the idea of giving Kevin Harmse another chance. He's been riding the bench since his horrific sending off against D.C. United last month. The coach says Harmse hasn't put a foot wrong since.
And finally, the Paul Peschisolido experiment appears to be over. He trained again Tuesday and was scheduled to fly back to England in the evening. Nothing happening for now, says Carver. The same thing applies to Darren Huckerby, who just won't seem to go away.
