Los Angeles – David Beckham could miss the rest of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s season after being diagnosed with a sprained right knee Thursday.
Beckham was injured in a tackle with Pachuca midfielder Fernando Salazar in the first half of Wednesday night’s SuperLiga title match. The Galaxy lost 4-3 on penalty kicks.
Beckham was expected to be out about six weeks, and will immediately begin rehabilitation, the team said. That would place his return at mid-October, when the Galaxy would have three regular-season games remaining – against Toronto FC on Oct. 13, New York on Oct. 18 and at Chicago on Oct. 21.
“It’s just gone from one thing to another thing,” Beckham said. “Maybe it’s time for me to just say, ‘I need the rest,’ and get it right and don’t come back until it’s right.”
He had already been nursing a left ankle injury that caused him to miss seven games, including a Sept. 26 appearance against the Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, since joining the team July 13. That injury occurred while playing for England on June 6.
MOTORSPORTS
Gibbs Racing expected to run Toyotas
Joe Gibbs Racing has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday and several published reports say the team will announce it has signed a deal to field Toyotas in the Nextel Cup series.
The reports, citing unidentified sources, said JGR will end its 16-year relationship with General Motors and give Toyota its first big name team in Cup. Team officials refused comment on the report but did confirm the news conference and that drivers Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin are expected to be at the announcement.
Regan Smith was finalizing a deal to drive the No. 01 for Dale Earnhardt Inc. next season. Smith has verbally agreed to a one-year contract that includes a team option for two more seasons.
GOLF
Steinhauer leads State Farm Classic
Sherri Steinhauer shot a 5-under-par 67 in windy conditions to take a one-stroke lead in the LPGA State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill., while Annika Sorenstam was four shots back in defense of her last tour title.
Japanese star Ai Miyazato and Marcy Hart opened with 68s. Kraft Nabisco champion Morgan Pressel shot a 69.
Marc Warren made eight birdies for an 8-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead in the first round of the Johnnie Walker Championship in Gleneagles, Scotland.
Nicolas Colsaerts was second , while Jeev Milka Singh (67) birdied the last three holes to share third place with Miles Tunnicliff. Colin Montgomerie opened with a 69.
The PGA Tour is nearing completion on a comprehensive drug policy, and commissioner Tim Finchem said testing could start as early as next year. Finchem said drug testing would be only one part of the policy.
Still to be determined are exemptions for therapeutic use, such as former PGA champion Shaun Micheel taking medication to cope with low testosterone. Other details that have not been completed include which drugs should be banned and penalties if a player tests positive.
FOOTNOTES
Pondexter lifts Mercury past Silver Stars
Cappie Pondexter made two free throws with 2.1 seconds left to lift the Phoenix Mercury to a 102-100 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars in Game 1 of their WNBA Western Conference finals. Former Colorado State star Becky Hammon, whose 3-pointer tied the game at 100-all, led the Silver Stars with 32 points, including 12 points in the fourth quarter and seven 3-pointers.
