Mr. Beckham comes to Washington

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - “We’re here to see Beckham.” This statement was heard more than once outside a sold-out RFK Stadium on Thursday night, where DC United played the Los Angeles Galaxy and its $250 million star, David Beckham. Autumn Foard was among those who said it. Along with her mother, Karen, she stood in a large crowd of people waiting for the Galaxy’s team bus to arrive.

“This is totally exciting. He’s bigger than soccer. He’s a superstar. People know him, he’s a celebrity,” Foard said, before rushing off to catch a glimpse of Beckham exiting the team bus.

The sold-out signs on RFK’s ticket windows and tickets being scalped for $100, $55 more than face value, were among the indicators the Beckham road show had arrived in Washington.

The atmosphere outside of RFK was far from a routine United game or a Nationals game. The 7 p.m. game was an event, with many fans not caring whether Beckham played or not. The British star, who has a hurt ankle, has yet to make a Major League Soccer appearance since arriving last month. But people wanted to be at RFK simply because he was there.

“I think it’s good for the MLS; it’s going to give them a lot of publicity and draw big [name] athletes,” said Kyle Tom, who described himself as a United fan. “I think he’s not here for a vacation. He’s here to promote the sport. It’s got to be killing him inside not to get out there.”

“I think it’s great for the league, but I’m really glad he’s not on our team. We’ve had enough distractions,” said David Sheon, referring to the hype that has surrounded Beckham’s first road trip. Still, “He’s good for the league,” Sheon said.

He also, apparently, has been good for Adidas, the Galaxy’s kit provider.

Thousands of fans wore jerseys with Beckham’s name and No. 23 across the back, almost outnumbering fans wearing United jerseys.

Some fans, including members of LFC Venom, an under-12 soccer team from Virginia, acknowledged split allegiances. When asked whether they were excited to see Beckham, they answered with a resounding yes. However, after a reminder from their head coach, Randy Martin, that the sons of United stars Christian Gomez and Jaime Moreno played on the team, some support for United was, a bit reluctantly, offered.

dfrancis@dcexaminer.com