Real Madrid's David Beckham attends a
training session at Real Madrid's training base in Valdebebas, near
Madrid, January 15, 2007. [Reuters]
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A week after signing David
Beckham, perhaps the world's most famous soccer player, the Los Angeles Galaxy
turned to the unknown on Wednesday announcing the MLS team would hold open
trials.
For US$130 would-be players will be given the opportunity to earn a spot on
the squad alongside Beckham, who signed a five-year deal last Thursday that
could net the former England captain US$250 million.
The trials, which will be overseen by Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop, will be
held on February 10 at the Galaxy's home stadium in Carson with select players
advancing to the second round the following day.
Open trials, known as tryouts, are not uncommon in North American
professional sports and occasionally unearth a rare talent. Vince Papale, a
30-year old bartender attended an open tryout for the Philadelphia Eagles and
made the team becoming the oldest rookie in NFL history.
Papale's story was made into a Hollywood movie.