The Beckham Experience

To preface this post I just want to say that I am mostly writing it for myself and it will probably be long. I am not very good at keeping a journal these days but this weekend is one that I definitely need to record.

Last night I was able to go to the Real Madrid vs. Real Salt Lake soccer game in SLC and let me tell you, it was great. But I will get to the game later. Friday is where the fun for me began. As you can see in my last post, I was well aware of David Beckham's presence in Utah this week. I had heard of many different times that he had signed autographs and taken pictures with fans. The sad part was that I didn't hear about them until AFTER they had already taken place. I was determined to see Beckham as up close as possible but after hearing about all these missed opportunities, I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to do that. Then I heard about the Real Madrid practice that was open to the public on Friday morning. Clearly, I wanted to go, but unfortunately I had to work. Plus, I had no one to go with. Thursday night I was talking to my dad about it when he told me that he and my two younger brothers, Tyler and Carson, were planning on going. It wasn't too difficult of a decision for me and I quickly decided I would call in sick to work and go to the practice.


I was a little late meeting my dad and brothers at the practice but they had already gotten some pretty good seats. We were about 10 rows up in the middle of the stadium. I would say that there were probably a few thousand people there. It was ridiculously hot outside and I immediately regretted getting ready because it meant that I would need to shower again when I got home. We sat there for about an hour and a half just watching Real Madrid practice. Well, I guess I should clarify and say that I was mostly just watching Beckham. Luckily, I brought my camera and took a good amount of pictures. I strongly feel that you can never have too many pictures of the most attractive soccer player ever. It was fun being able to watch one of the best soccer teams in the world practice. I was already looking forward to watching them in the game, but to be able to see them practice too was just an added bonus. We heard that Real Madrid was doing an autograph signing after the practice but were dissappointed to find out that you had to pay 200 bucks to get in and it was already sold out. I love David Beckham and everything, but I'm a college student and although I'd be willing to pay money to see him, I don't know about 200 bucks. I was just going to have to take my chances on my amateur stalking skills which I was hoping to put into play on Saturday. Instead of leaving right after the practice ended we decided to stick around, along with plenty of other people, and cross our fingers hoping some of the players would come out and sign autographs for us fans. They did not dissappoint. As soon as the first player walked toward us Tyler, Carson and I wiggled our way to the very front row. I didn't have anything for them to sign, nor was I too interested in getting anyone except Beckham's autograph, so I just took some pictures. Fabio Cannavaro, who I loved when he played for Italy in the World Cup, came out and started signing autographs. Both of my brothers were lucky enough to get his autograph. Then some other players who I didn't know came out. Finally, Beckham came out and walked directly toward where we were standing. Tyler, who was towering over some poor girl in front of him, leaned forward even more and Beckham signed both his ball and his new Real Madrid soccer jersey. I couldn't get very many pictures because everyone around me was freaking out. I was still excited for my brother though. I turned around to tell my dad and he said, "Why don't you have him sign your phone or something?" I thought, Dad, you're a genious! So my dad threw me my cell phone and I quickly walked down to where Beckham was headed. He was nice enough to walk down the entire front row signing autograph after autograph. I found where he was and shoved myself in between two smelly old men who had removed their shirts for him to sign. When Beckham reached where we were standing I held my phone down near his hand hoping he would sign it next. He skipped over it at first but then came back, took it in his hand, and signed "D Beckham" on the back. This is a picture I found on a local newspaper's website and laughed when I saw myself in the background. I was very excited to get this autograph. I thought I'd be content with just getting pictures of him up close, which I did get plenty of, but now I am glad that I was also able to get his autograph. It made skipping work and sweating bullets to see him totally worth it in the end. I'd do it all over again if I could.

On Saturday, McKensie and I decided to make a day trip to Salt Lake before the game. We originally planned on going shopping and to dinner before the game but that plan changed when we decided to eat dinner at Little America. Little America just so happens to be across the street from the Grand America Hotel, where Real Madrid was staying(input amateur stalking skills). Right after we were finished eating McKensie looked outside the window and noticed that the team's bus was in front of the hotel and there were already some fans gathered outside waiting for them. She freaked out a bit in the restaurant because she was so excited. I was a little embarrassed, as was she after she realized what she had done, but we both hurried across the street to join in the waiting for the team. We waited for about 45 minutes until the team finally started walking out, one by one, to the bus. As soon as the first player, my Italian love Fabio Cannavaro, came out everyone rushed towards the bus. There was a police man guarding us from getting too close but we were still about 2 feet away from the players. Beckham came out alot sooner than I had expected him to. McKensie and I both let out a little scream when we saw him and I quickly took some pictures. He looked right at McKensie and me and smiled that beautiful smile of his. It was so great.

The game started at 7:30 and after waiting in the most HORRIBLE traffic to park we walked as fast as we could to the stadium. We didn't want to miss the kick off or anything else for that matter. Beckham didn't start but that didn't make the first half of the game any less exciting. There was some great soccer being played in that first half and it was so awesome just to be there. I honestly didn't care who touched the ball or who scored, it was just fun to watch. The score at the half was 1-0 for Real Madrid. They scored on a penalty kick right before the half ended. During halftime Real Madrid came from the locker room and started warming up for the second half. David Beckham was one of the players warming up and out came the cameras. It was amazing to look around and see all the flashing cameras, mine included. David Beckham started the second half and played until the end of the game. He didn't do anything amazing but it was hard for me to take my eyes off of him. I know that he's not the best player on the field, or pitch I guess I should say, but I found myself just waiting for him to get the ball. When he did the flashes went off and the girls screamed. What was so great is that he's the only one who has bright blue cleats on so it was easy to spot him from a distance. He was able to get a few shots off but unfortunately none of them went in. Although I was cheering for the home team, it would have been awesome to see him score. He had a great opportunity when RSL committed a foul right outside the 18 yard line. Free kicks being Beckham's specialty I could see everyone around me getting ready to take a picture.There were thousands of flashes when he kicked that ball but unfortunately it didn't "bend" enough and it knocked off the wall built by the RSL players. Real Madrid scored again leaving the final score at 2-0. I was pleasantly surprised because I fully expected Real Salt Lake to get blown out. All in all, it was a very good game and well worth the money for the ticket. When the game ended everyone cheered and the players on the field clapped their hands thanking the fans. Beckham clapped towards every side of the stadium and received monstrous cheers from the fans left in the stands. I kept waiting for him to remove his jersey and trade it with one of the RSL players but was a bit dissappointed when he only removed it about 5 seconds before entering the locker room. As soon as he did, I heard girls screaming everywhere which is totally understandable. I later found out that he gave his jersey to Tom Cruise who was in attendance at the game with Katie Holmes. I'm just going to forget that I even heard that.

Real Salt Lake announced yesterday that they are going to be building a stadium for the team in Sandy. I'm excited because that means they are staying in Utah. Dave Checketts has already invited Real Madrid to come to the opening of the new stadium in 2008. If that week turns out to be anything like this week, I think it's clear that soccer fans in Utah have a lot to look forward to. I read an article in the newspaper where David Beckham, who has said that he would like to play in the MLS someday, said of the possiblity of playing for Real Salt Lake, "It's possible. You never know what happens in the future. No one can tell what's going to happen in any footballer's future. But we'll see." A girl can dream, can't she?