Real Salt Lake: Beckham's back, but RSL wants a win this time

Two summers ago David Beckham's presence with Real Madrid helped pack Rice-Eccles Stadium with 45,000 fans giddy for a glimpse. They got their wish when Beckham entered the match as a second-half substitute, and it didn't really matter that host Real Salt Lake lost.

Things are different this time around — Beckham's 2008 visit to Utah isn't an exhibition.

The English soccer star is wearing an L.A. Galaxy jersey this time around, and the host side has no interest in being gracious.

"We know the significance of tomorrow, and we just need to come out and play like we're capable of playing," said RSL defender Chris Wingert. "We need to get wins; ties aren't good enough especially at home. We need to come out with that attitude; I think we will."

Kick-off is set for 7 p.m., with the match also being televised on KSL.

Even though it's a home match for RSL, the atmosphere should be similar to the season opener against Chicago with thousands of Latino fans on hand to root on Cuauhtemoc Blanco. This time the fans will be flocking to see Beckham.

That's just fine with Wingert.

"The guys are psyched about the fans; it's great when you get a lot of fans even if there's some rooting for him, that's OK," said Wingert. "When you hear people rooting for the other team or someone on the other team, it gets our fans going as well, they get a little louder."

Make no mistake, though: Of the well over 20,000 fans expected at Rice-Eccles Stadium tonight, many will be there to see the legendary Beckham, perhaps the most recognizable athlete in the world.

Five matches into his second season in MLS, Beckham's proven he's no side show. He leads the league with four assists, and the Galaxy (2-2-1) are the highest-scoring team in MLS with 11 goals.

"Coming to Salt Lake two years ago ... I remember it being a tough game," said Beckham. "We got kicked a few times, which is always nice in soccer games; it helps you enjoy the game a lot more. We look forward to that again (today)."

Landon Donovan, the reigning MLS Player of the Month, has accounted for eight of those goals — twice the total of any other player in the league. For as efficient as L.A. has been on the attack, it's been anemic defensively, allowing 11 goals, second only to Chivas USA's 13 goals against.

RSL is hoping to expose the Galaxy deficiency early.