Beckham is a joke

David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy arrived in Washington to prepare for Thursday night's match against D.C. United at sold-out RFK Stadium, but whether the ailing English superstar will actually play in his first MLS game remains uncertain. "David did participate in light training for the first time [since joining the Galaxy], but is still doubtful for Thursday," club spokesman Patrick Donnelly said. Beckham sprained his left ankle June 6 while playing for England's national team against Estonia in a European Championship qualifier, then suffered ligament damage when he returned to play for Spanish club Real Madrid.

Beckham's, so far futile, quest to put North American Soccer on the map has inspired me to write a movie. It is about 2 girls - a Sikh girl who struggles against her family's traditions to try and fulfill her dream of playing pro soccer; the other is a white girl who has to combat her mother's stereotypes about athletic prowess and lesbianism. But when they finally convince their parents to watch their championship game, they sprain their ankles and cannot play. As a result, the Indian girl is forced into a life of being a housewife in an arranged marriage. I call it 'Bench it like Beckham.'