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A report in the Sunday Express suggests that soccer stud, David Beckham, may be leaving his American dream behind him and heading back to England.

“He is seeking crisis talks with bosses of LA Galaxy to discuss a possible return to England on loan in January,” the paper reported.

Bosses at Galaxy, who are struggling at the foot of their league, will consider cutting their losses when their season ends on October 21 and allow Beckham to return home temporarily in the hope that if he achieves his England dream he will return refreshed to help them fulfil their own aspirations.

Galaxy general manager Alexei Lalas said: “We would never stand in the way of a player representing his country. David’s love of England and the honour it is for him to represent his country is evident from the first time you talk to him.

“We need to sit down with him and do what’s best for our organisation and him.”

During the SuperLiga final match against Pachuca on 29 August, Beckham seriously injured his right knee in a challenge with Fernando Salazar in the 30th minute. The Galaxy went on to lose the match in penalties. An MRI scan the following day revealed that Beckham had sprained his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and that he would be out for six weeks.

A Galaxy spokesman refuted an earlier report that Beckham had also undergone arthroscopic surgery. The news comes as a massive blow to the struggling Galaxy, England, and Beckham, as he will now miss several key matches for the Galaxy and England. However, some believe that there may be a silver lining, as it will force Beckham to rest until his problematic left ankle is fully healed before returning to the pitch.

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Lyon, France - Lyon, the defending French Ligue 1 champions, got their title defense off to a good start, winning their first contest of the 2007-2007 season 2-0 over Auxerre, Sunday.

Goals by Milan Baros and Karim Benzema gave the champs a spot at the top of the table early.

The first goal was scored in the 33rd minute when Jeremy Toulalan threaded a pass to Baros in stride and he did well, lifting the ball over Auxerre goalkeeper Olivier Sorin.

Benzema doubled the lead 20 minutes from time when Sidney Govou carried the ball into the attacking third dishing to Benzema, who blasted a left-footed rocket past Sorin.

In the other Ligue 1 contest Sunday, Marko Basa got the only goal of the game as Le Mans got their new campaign off to a winning start by beating Ligue 1 newcomers Metz.

Milan, Italy - Italy defender Alessandro Nesta retired from international soccer on Wednesday.

“I will never join the national team again,” said Nesta. “My time with the Azzurri ends here.”

The 31-year-old soccer knocker decided to walk away from international play so he could spend more time with his club, AC Milan. Nesta is under contract at the San Siro until 2011.

Nesta, who captured 78 caps, has not suited up for Italy since suffering an injury in the third game of Italy’s World Cup run in 2006.

After recovering from the setback, Nesta was part of the Milan team which won the Champions League, but because he was getting married, he failed to take part in Italy’s European Championship qualifiers.

Not even two weeks ago, Roma legend Francesco Totti also announced his retirement from the Italian team. Totti made 58 appearances for Italy during his international career and tallied nine goals. He was also a member of Italy’s World Cup champion squad in 2006.

As for Italy, the team will continue its UEFA EURO qualifying round with two matches in September. First they will play France and then will battle Ukraine as the Italians sit in the second place of Group B.

Glasgow, Scotland - Two-time defending Scottish Premier League champions Celtic will open defense of their title against Kilmarnock on Sunday most likely without three key soccer knocker players.

Graffiti Wall reports that Shunsuke Nakamura, Scott McDonald and keeper Artur Boruc are all likely to miss the contest for various reasons.

Nakamura, a Japanese international, is not expected to report back to Glasgow until Friday after participating in the Asian Cup this past month. McDonald signed from Motherwell this summer and has looked good in preseason contests, but will be serving a two-game ban after an incident at the end of last season. Boruc, meanwhile, is struggling with a shoulder injury that he picked up during a friendly against Newcastle at St James’ Park last Thursday. The injury could potentially keep Boruc out of the team’s first Champions League contest on August 14.

All three players missed Sunday’s friendly against Serie A side Parma, which Celtic won 1-0 on a goal from Aiden McGeady.

The injury to Boruc could keep him out for two to three weeks, meaning backup keeper Mark Brown will be called upon to get the team off to a good start.

San Jose, CA - The Soccer Knocker U.S. Women’s National Team coasted to a 4-1 win over Nipon Soul Japan Saturday night at Spartan Stadium in San Jose in the fourth game of its six-game sendoff series in preparation for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Graffiti Wall reports that Midfielder Shannon Boxx drove home a header off a crisp corner kick from Stephanie Lopez in the 17th minute of the first half to put the Americans up 1-0 early.

The U.S. team went up 2-0 in the 41st minute after of an own goal by Japan midfielder Yukari Kinga. A strong cross by the U.S. hit Kinga in front of the her own goal and deflected into the back of the net to double the Americans’ lead.

Ten minutes after the break Kristine Lilly took a pass from Lori Chalupny and one-timed the ball solidly into the back of the net from the right side for a 3-0 lead.

Abby Wambaugh closed out the scoring by converting on a penalty kick after Japan was called for a handball in front of its own goal.

The U.S. team is back in action Aug. 12 when it hosts New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago before finishing off the Send-off Series on Aug. 25 at the Home Depot center in Carson, Calif. against Finland.

The Americans open play at the Women’s World Cup on Sept. 11 against North Korea. Nigeria and Sweden are also in the American’s group.

SOCCER KNOCKER superstar Thierry Henry’s wife and daughter were last night under constant guard against a vicious East European kidnap gang. This according to a report in the News of the World.

Rumor Monger has it that former Arsenal star called in a top security firm to protect his family after Special Branch tipped them off about the plot to snatch two-year-old Tea and hold her to ransom.

Betting Odds - Graffiti Wall reports they ordered 24-hour GUARDS outside their London home, close protection MINDERS for little Tea and estranged wife Claire, 27, plus beefed-up CCTV SURVEILLANCE.

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The team is on constant alert. Spanish giants Barcelona have signed Henry in a £16million megadeal.

The Henrys’ immense wealth makes them a natural target for organised crime. Thierry will earn an estimated £130,000 a week at Barcelona and Claire could land a divorce settlement of £10million from his £25million fortune.

Experts say the ruthless Romanian Mafia are the most likely to be behind the kidnap. They are here in force and have form for child snatches, human trafficking and sex slavery.

Madrid, Spain - Atletico signed winger Simao Sabrosa from Benfica to a four-year contract on Friday.

Graffiti Wall reports that The 27-year-old Soccer Knocker started his career with Barcelona, but did not make a name for himself until joining Benfica in 2001. With Benfica, Simao helped his club win the Portuguese league championship in 2005, and was named Portuguese Player of the Year last season.

“The experience and maturity that Simao has demonstrated over the course of his athletic career is unquestionable, demonstrating himself to be a responsible player who can throw off defenses,” said Atletico President Don Enrique. “Simao stands out for his skill with the ball and his extraordinary pace. His technical contribution is outstanding, which tells us that we have a great talent.”

A Portugal international, Simao has also collected 55 caps.

Simao is not expected to play in the Intertoto Cup tie on Saturday versus Gloria Bistrita, but is excited for the La Liga opener on August 26, at Real Madrid.

“I think that Atletico should always be in the top three and win titles,” said Simao. “I hope to play the same here as I have the past few years.”

Atletico finished last season in seventh place, 16 points behind title winner Real Madrid

Dundee, Scotland - Thierry Henry had a penalty kick stopped in the 90th minute but he buried the rebound to lift Barcelona to a 1-0 win over Scotland’s Dundee United in his soccer knocker debut for the Spanish power.

Henry came on as a sub in the second half, playing for the first time with Barcelona since leaving English Premier League giant Arsenal last month. He signed a four-year, $32 million deal with Barcelona.

Henry had been sidelined since March because of a groin injury. He scored 10 goals last year despite an injury-plagued season for Arsenal. He left Arsenal as the club’s all-time leader with 226 goals.

The French international stepped to the penalty spot in the closing minutes and fired a shot to the middle of the net. Dundee’s goalie blocked the initial shot but Henry controlled the rebound and slotted home the game-winner.

Henry nearly scored early in the second half - taking just two touches of the ball - before putting his first shot in a Barcelona uniform just high.

Barcelona nearly scored in the 18th minute when Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho hit the post on a free kick. Dundee’s defense held Barcelona’s strong offense until Henry converted in the closing minutes.

Dundee nearly took the lead in the 82nd minute when Barry Robson’s header hit the back of the net, but the goal was waived off for a previous foul.

Barcelona, which was playing its first preseason game, had lost its last four games to Dundee United, which finished ninth in Scottish Premier League last season.

Dundee United opens the new season in Scotland on Aug. 4 against Aberdeen. Barcelona, which lost the La Liga crown to Real Madrid on a tiebreaker last year, opens league play on Aug. 26 against Racing.

Liverpool, England - Liverpool unveiled its plan for a new stadium in Stanley Park on Wednesday.

The 60,000 seat stadium, is scheduled to open in 2010, will have the ability to increase its capacity to more than 75,000.

“We’re creating a stadium that not only the club and supporters can be proud of, but something the whole city can be proud of,” said chief executive Rick Parry. “Liverpool as a city is on the move and deserves world class developments like this.”

The organization hired HKS to design the stadium, the same company which is designing the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium.

Liverpool will leave Anfield, which has been its home since the club’s first year of existence in 1892.

The new design for Stanley Park is said to be unique and a step away from the traditional bowl model.

“Liverpool is famous for the atmosphere generated by its fans and from looking at the pictures I’m sure the new stadium will be just as atmospheric, if not more so, said Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso. “Anfield is really special, we all know that, but the new stadium will be a great one and I’m looking forward to playing there.”