2007年VOA标准英语-Beckham Makes US Soccer Debut with Los Angeles

By Mike O'Sullivan
Los Angeles
22 July 2007

European football superstar David Beckham made a cautious debut¹ with his new team, the Los Angeles Galaxy², Saturday evening. Mike O'Sullivan reports from Los Angeles, the British midfielder played to a packed house for just 12 minutes.

David Beckham watches action from bench during first half play against Chelsea FC at World Series of Soccer, 21 Jul 2007

It was an international friendly match between the Galaxy and the visiting English club Chelsea. Beckham, who is nursing an injured ankle, came in as a substitute in the 78th minute of the game.

The short debut was enough for the sellout crowd, which roared its approval.

Chelsea beat the Galaxy 1-0 on a goal in the 49th minute. Los Angeles soccer fan Ben Hauser was disappointed, but says with Beckham on the field, the game was exciting.

"It was definitely worth it. He electrified³ the crow. You know, I'm a huge soccer fan, but if you're not a soccer fan, David Beckham is one to really get you excited about soccer in general. So it's pretty cool," said Hauser.

A visiting British soccer fan named Pete from Birmingham would have liked to see more of Beckham.

"I've seen David Beckham play before, and it was disappointing only to get 10 minutes of him. But it was a good game. Chelsea won, one-nil," said Pete.

Beckham, who last played for the Spanish team Real Madrid, has signed a five-year contract with the Galaxy worth more than $30 million. The deal will reach nearly $250 million with endorsements⁴.

The Galaxy hope their new star will put U.S. Major League Soccer, or M.L.S., on the map. Galaxy fan Ned Compher thinks Beckham can do that.

"[He can] get the buzz going on, get the spark going with, hopefully, a newfound sport in Southern California, and America," he said. "And we're just excited that everyone's coming out. It's a beautiful day. I hope it keeps going, and M.L.S. just keeps growing and growing and growing."

 

The Galaxy will resume its Major Soccer League schedule with a game at Toronto August 5.

1 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

2 galaxy   

n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物)

参考例句：

• The earth is one of the planets in the Galaxy.地球是银河系中的星球之一。
• The company has a galaxy of talent.该公司拥有一批优秀的人才。

3 electrified   

v.使电气化( electrify的过去式和过去分词 )；使兴奋

参考例句：

• The railway line was electrified in the 1950s. 这条铁路线在20世纪50年代就实现了电气化。
• The national railway system has nearly all been electrified. 全国的铁路系统几乎全部实现了电气化。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 endorsements   

n.背书( endorsement的名词复数 )；（驾驶执照上的）违章记录；（公开的）赞同；（通常为名人在广告中对某一产品的）宣传

参考例句：

• He must make much money on those tennis shoe endorsements he does. 他替那些网球鞋珍重广告，就赚了不少钱。 来自互联网
• But celebrity endorsements remain an important promotional tool for marketers. 尽管如此，邀明星助阵仍是营销人员重要的推广手段之一。 来自互联网