Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 | 4:58 p.m.
For the fourth time in his career, former Las Vegas High soccer standout Herculez Gomez will play on the same pitch as David Beckham on Saturday afternoon.
It’ll be the first time Beckham, the English star and former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder who now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy, will play in Kansas City.
Same goes for Gomez, who was traded from the Colorado Rapids to Kansas City 10 days ago and made his debut for the Wizards on Sunday in the heat and humidity in Houston.
The two-time defending MLS Cup-champion Dyanmo defeated the Wizards, 3-1. Gomez, suffering from a stomach virus that he thinks was caused by food poisioning, only played the final 20 minutes.
Both Kansas City and Los Angeles are 6-8-9 (26 points). The Wizards are mired at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with Toronto FC, while the Galaxy is in the basement of the Western Conference with FC Dallas.
To accommodate a large crowd, the match has been switched from CommunityAmerica Ballpark to Arrowhead Stadium.
Gomez said Beckham can expect torrential rain in his first apperance in Kansas City. It’s been raining for three days, Gomez said, and more of the same is expected for Saturday.
Only lightning can cancel MLS games.
“You know that scene in ‘Forrest Gump,’ where it’s raining from all angles? That’s what it’s like here now,” Gomez said. “It’s crazy. It’s tornado-like weather. It’ll be like that tomorrow.
“He’ll be in for a very rough climate and a very rough game. It’s a much-needed three points, and they’re in the same predicament. He’s in for a battle.”
Beckham played for England in its 4-1 victory over Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in England earlier this week.
“As soon as the whistle blows, it doesn’t matter who he is,” Gomez said. “He’s just another player, but he is quality. You have to be aware of him. What he lacks in pace and defensive responsibilities he makes up for in vision and accuracy. You have to know where is is on the field.”
Kansas City plays five of its final matches at home, which should be a boost.
“For sure,” Gomez said after eating a team meal Friday night. “In the MLS, the home-field advantage is huge, like the NFL. We need to get a little momentum going.
“I’ll be playing wide on the right side, and I hope to use my speed and ability down the flanks. Hopefully, I make something happen. I’ll do whatever is asked of me.”
UPDATED
Gomez assisted Josh Wolff on the first goal of Saturday's game as the Wizards defeated the Galaxy, 2-0, before 26,211 at Arrowhead Stadium. It was the fifth-largest crowd in Kansas City's history.
Wolff's goal came in the 67th minute. Davy Arnaud added the clincher for Kansas City (7-9-8, 29 points), which moved to within a point of Chivas USA for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Wizards goalie Kevin Hartman collected the 75th shutout of his career, an MLS record. The Wizards play four of their final six matches at home.
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