Beckham's red puts Donovan into fray

With Beckham ejected, Galaxy star fights through H1N1 virus to play

Donovan was not in the starting lineup Saturday at The Home Depot Center after being diagnosed with the H1N1 virus -- commonly referred to as swine flu -- earlier this week after returning to California from a trip to Mexico City for the United States national team's 2-1 loss to Mexico in a World Cup qualifier at Estadio Azteca.

Donovan played the entirety of the second half of the Galaxy's 2-0 loss to Seattle Sounders FC after coming on for Stefani Miglioranzi. Donovan said he had more energy Saturday than Wednesday against Mexico.

"A lot of times as an athlete you don't feel your best for whatever reason," Donovan said. "I've had a lot of experience with things like this and I know when I feel OK and when I don't. The only thing I didn't feel energetic on Wednesday. The rest of the week I felt somewhat OK. That's how I gauged it tonight and I told Bruce I can play."

The move didn't prove to be a factor against Sounders FC. The expansion side took advantage of the extra space created with a man advantage for most of the game after David Beckham was ejected 17 minutes into the game. Beckham was shown a straight red for a hard tackle on Sounders FC midfielder Peter Vagenas.

Beckham said he went into the tackle without malicious intent.

"Pete is one of my best friends," said Beckham. "I think it's a hard tackle but not with means for a red card. I've never gone in one tackle wanting to hurt someone. The referee saw it differently."

Things appeared to have evened out when Seattle also had a player (Tyrone Marshall) ejected in the 76th minute for a reckless foul on Donovan. It was Marshall's second yellow card of the match.

But the Galaxy's Eddie Lewis was shown a straight red for a foul on James Riley.

"The initial red card puts us behind the 8-ball," Arena said. "The second goal was highly disappointing. A bunch of guys standing around watching the Seattle player make a play. Not a good night tonight. Didn't deserve more than what we got."

What the Galaxy didn't get was a boost from Donovan, although he said he felt "energetic."

"I am sleepy," said Donovan, who believes he came down with the virus in New England last week and possibly got the virus from two team staff members who didn't feel good and carried it. "During the last two days that I've been resting my body has been tired. I no longer have a fever."

Mexican fans and media members were upset that Donovan played against Mexico despite feeling sick. Donovan defended his reasoning for playing.

"On Thursday I went to the doctor," he said in Spanish to Spanish-speaking media. "Wednesday, I thought it was the altitude. I didn't think about it. If I knew I was sick, I would not go to Mexico."

Donovan missed training on Friday and it appeared to have helped. When asked where his experience with the virus ranked amid adverse situations, Donovan downplayed the severity of his sickness.

"It's funny because when people hear the word "swine flu" they go crazy and having experienced it, it's like any other flu that I've had," Donovan said. "There are obviously very serious cases but I think the majority of the cases are just like any other flu."

Ivan Orozco is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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