While many of the 27,000 fans that showed up for the debut of David Beckham for the LA Galaxy said they didn't mind if he didn't play, at the 78th minute of the exhibition match against Chelsea, he was inserted in the lineup as a substitute, to the delight of the fans. Most were just happy to get a glimpse of the celebrity soccer star.
This was a real surprise, as it didn't seem like he really had a chance to play at all. After talking with the coaching staff, they agreed to have him come in to make an appearance late in the match.
Talking to ESPN (DIS), Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas said, "It is a long-term process and we want to make sure David is 100 percent. We have games next week, next month and over the next five years. Everyone will get their chance to see David Beckham here and across the country."
While the match was the second-highest grossing for the Galaxy, Beckham's financial value will be even more in the merchandise sold from the huge marketing push surrounding him.
A number of celebrities attended the match of course, including Jennifer Love Hewitt, Katie Holmes, Kevin Garnett, Eva Longoria, Sharon Stone, Drew Carey and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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