END IT LIKE BECKHAM?

Byline: SCOTT FRENCH SOCCER

The news about David Beckham, that his international career appears at its end, exploded last week, right on the heels of John Terry's appointment to succeed him as England's captain.

New coach Steve McLaren made the announcement Friday, leaving the Real Madrid midfielder off his 25-man preliminary roster for Wednesday's ``friendly'' against Greece at Manchester United's Old Trafford, a preparation for next month's start to 2008 European Championship qualifying.

Beckham, 31, relinquished the captain's armband following England's disappointing World Cup, avoiding the embarrassment of McLaren yanking it from him, but made it clear his desire to play for the national team remained ``as strong as ever.''

McLaren, looking to rebuild around younger players for the Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, said he told Beckham (94 ``caps,'' 58 as captain) he was ``planning for the future, looking to change things and go in a different direction, and David wasn't included within that. ... We'll do it my way with the players I've picked, and I'll live and die by it. I am the head coach, and it's my decision at the end of the day.''

It's just one of several huge storylines receiving big play in soccer's birthplace, along with Jose Mourinho's feud with Rafael Benitez -- played out at Sunday's Community Shield curtain-raiser -- Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner's $118 million Aston Villa purchase, and whether anyone can knock off Chelsea in the Premier League, which kicks off this weekend.

Beckham's fate is the most penetrating, mostly because it was so unexpected.

McLaren says he prefers speedy wingers, such as Tottenham's Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips. Beckham, expert at crossing the ball and free kicks, isn't admired for his pace.

He received a lot of criticism for his play in the World Cup, as he did at Euro 2004, but scored or created the goals that led to all three of England's victories.

McLaren says he'll continue to monitor Beckham, that it isn't his decision ``to totally end anybody's international career'' and that he ``will not close the door on Beckham.''

Circumstances could make it tough for Beckham to return. Although easily the world's most famous soccer player -- Ronaldinho is giving him a run -- Beckham isn't one of the finest. What he does well, especially the crosses, he's best on the planet, but Chelsea defender Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard and Liverpool attacker Steven Gerrard are far more influential.

And Beckham, who received the news on the eve of Real Madrid's victory last weekend at Real Salt Lake, is fighting for playing time with the Meringue. New coach Fabio Capello, who returned from Juventus in the wake of the Italian match-fixing scandal, prefers 26-year-old Brazilian winger Cicinho on the right flank.

Meanwhile, much ado over Chelsea coach Mourinho's refusal to shake hands with Liverpool's Benitez following his club's 2-1 loss in the Community Shield. As after the defeat eight days earlier to MLS's All-Stars, Mourinho blamed the result on a lack of fitness.

No matter: With the addition of Andrei Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, the Londoners ought to hold off Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool for a third successive title.

Locals lead U.S. in bid for U-20 title

USC striker Amy Rodriguez, five UCLA standouts and former Bruin goalkeeper Kelsey Davis, from Thousand Oaks High, lead the U.S. at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship, which kicks off Thursday in Russia.

The Americans, fielding what amounts to a college all-star team, are seeking to regain the title they lost two years ago when they finished third at the FIFA U-19 finals in Thailand.

The U.S. won the inaugural crown in 2002, beating host Canada in overtime in the final, with a team that featured former Harvard-Westlake of Studio City and UCLA star Jill Oakes and current full U.S. national team standouts Heather O'Reilly and Lindsay Tarpley. Six players -- Rodriguez, Davis, Santa Clara forward Jessica Rostedt, and defenders Stephanie Lopez (Portland), Nikki Kryzsik (Virginia) and Stephanie Logterman (Texas) -- return from the 2002 team.

UCLA goalkeeper Val Henderson, defender Erin Hardy, midfielders Danesha Adams and Tina Di Martino and incoming striker Lauren Cheney are on the 21-woman U.S. roster. Davis transferred last winter from UCLA to NCAA champion Portland.

The Americans open Friday against Congo and also face France and Argentina in Group D play. Australia, Brazil, Canada, China and defending champion Germany also are expected to contend for a spot in the Sept. 3 final in Moscow. Stanford freshman Ali Riley, who led Harvard-Westlake to the Southern Section Div. I title game last season, plays for New Zealand.

Funny man

It's impossible to miss Josh Blue's cerebral palsy. The U.S. Paralympic team striker riffs endlessly on his condition in his comedy act. Blue, 27, who won NBC's ``Last Comic Standing,'' noted on last week's finale that some in his college-tour audiences see his off-kilter movement and slurred speech and tell him, ```Hey, man, I want what you're on.' ... `You want my seizure medication? ... That'll be 7 bucks.' Cripple's getting paid.'''

Blue, 27, is a pivotal figure on the Paralympic team, which is guided by former MLS coach Jay Hoffman and features stroke survivors and players with brain injuries and cerebral palsey. He played in the 2004 Athens Paralympics and plans to suit up in 2008 in Beijing.

100 hours

Not much defense in Chivas' 100-hour clash that wrapped up late Sunday afternoon: Almost 200teams, representing Chivas or ``Resto del Mundo,'' averaged 13goals per 90 minutes. It ended with Chivas, celebrating Club Deportivo Guadalajara's centenary, on top 437-429.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1) David Beckham walks off against Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinals, possibly his final moments in an England jersey.

David Hecker/AFP/Getty Images

(2) JOSH BLUE

Box:

Etc.