CHIVAS USA: BECKHAM NOT ONLY BRIT IN TOWN ROOKIE CUNLIFFE ARRIVED QUIETLY.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO

Staff Writer

CARSON - David Beckham is not the only British MLS player to call Home Depot Center home.

There's another Englishman training on the fields and roaming the halls of the Home Depot Center.

His name: John Cunliffe.

He's not a world famous player. He's a rookie taken seventh overall in this year's MLS SuperDraft. He doesn't have a multi-million dollar contract or major endorsements. Cunliffe does make more than most rookies, though, with a salary of about $50,000 this year with a chance of $15,000 more in bonuses, his agent Patrick McCabe said.

Cunliffe doesn't own a home in Beverly Hills but rents a $1,050 per month two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in Palos Verdes -- and he needs a roommate. The Bolton, England, native drives a 2001 blue Ford Focus, not a brand new Cadillac Escalade, the car Beckham drove to his introduction ceremony last week.

But Cunliffe is not complaining.

And perhaps the Chivas USA forward has a little bit of an edge on Beckham. He already has experience with the U.S. soccer culture and is learning to be comfortable with the league's style of play.

"I think he's going to fit well with the Galaxy, with their running off the ball and his passing," Cunliffe said about Beckham. "One of the things he might struggle with is (having) to fly in to games. He's not used to traveling so far, but I think his passing game he'll be able to control the tempo. He'll do quite well."

Cunliffe learned to adapt to the U.S. as a college student at Div. II Fort Lewis College. He found it easier to engage with teammates than at English powerhouse Manchester United's youth academy.

"We had a big freshman class, and so we stuck together the whole time," said Cunliffe, who could be making his third start of the season at 7:30 tonight, when Chivas USA visits USL First Division club Seattle Sounders for a U.S. Open Cup third-round match at QWest Field. Starting forward Ante Razov did not travel with the team; he's serving a one-game red-card suspension.

"I think in an academy system, everyone is trying to put themselves in the first team, (whereas) in college, everyone is trying to do the same thing: win games ... for the program not just for themselves."

After moving to Los Angeles, Cunliffe didn't have a hard time meshing with other MLS players. He moved in with then-Galaxy forward Robbie Findley, who was traded to Real Salt Lake on June 21.

"I'm still surprised by the way people live out here," Cunliffe said. "I've liked the first fourmonths I've been out here, I'm enjoying myself. L.A. is an expensive place. It's definitely a luxury to be living here. I could be living in worse cities than what I'm in.

"Yeah, it's expensive but ... if you take care of your money, you'll be fine."

Cunliffe said he's comfortable in his apartment, which is near the beach, one of his favorite places to hang out. He keeps in touch with family via e-mail and sometimes the phone. They listen to his games online.

On the field, Cunliffe has yet to make a name for himself, but he's is young. The 22-year-old has played in nine games this season.

Chivas USA coach Preki didn't say which forward will start in place of Razov tonight, but did say Cunliffe needs to improve his game to help earn more starts.

"John is a bright, talented player, but he's having a tough time in terms of mentality and coming everyday and imposing himself in the game," Preki said. "If he can do that he can have a future, otherwise he's going to have a tough time."

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Chivas USA rookie John Cunliffe, a Bolton, England native, has started two games.

Juan Miranda/Wire Image.com

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CHIVAS USA vs. SEATTLE

-- Ivan Orozco