Stuart Pearce, who will coach Team GB, the host country’s entrant in men’s soccer at the London Olympics, was on hand Sunday at the Home Depot Center toscout David Beckham in the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers.
Everton’s Tim Cahill andPhil Neville were also on hand to watch Beckham, whose corner kick set up the lone goal by Todd Dunivant. Pearce namedBeckham in his 35-player short list. The final 18-man squad that must be named by July 6.
Each men’s Olympic team is permitted to include three players over the age of 23. BesidesBeckham, Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs, as well as Chelsea’s FrankLampard and Liverpool’s Craig Bellamy, have been mentioned as some of the older candidates.
Beckham, Ferdinand and Lampard are English,while Giggs and Bellamy are Welsh.