GALAXY, CHIVAS HIT PRACTICE FIELDS.

Byline: PHIL COLLIN Staff Writer

Carson - Out on one of the side fields one team worked through its first day of practice, players flying around trying to impress their new coach.

On the stadium field at Home Depot Center, the other team charged through its paces during its first gathering.

You can't tell which team made the playoffs last season by the pecking order.

Chivas USA, which earned a playoff spot last season during its second year, worked out beyond the tennis courts, eyed by a few curious fans and even a few members of the media.

A half-dozen cameras and a distinctly heavier media presence took in the Galaxy's workout, eager for it to end, so they could find out the latest on David Beckham.

``We're waiting with open arms for when he comes in the summer,'' Galaxy president Alexi Lalas said.

David Beckham has a few months left on his contract with Real Madrid, though he has become Galactico non grata since announcing he would leave Europe to join the Galaxy.

Coach Frank Yallop seems to have already resolved what many consider would be a sticky situation: Would Donovan resent being replaced in his role as a playmaker?

``I would think David Beckham would take most free kicks or set plays because of his delivery,'' Yallop said. ``And it's a chance for Landon to be on the end of stuff, because he's a brave kid and he's a good finisher.

``People think that Landon Donovan is going to be all bent out of shape, but it's not like that.''

Lalas virtually promised this year's team won't suffer a drought like the one it endured last year, when a 10-game winless skid ruined the season.

``If you look at the course of the season last year, that period where we lost --- I can't remember how many it was in a row --- it really was an incredible hole that we tried valiantly to dig out of. We will avoid something like that this year.''

Meanwhile, Chivas hit the field for the first time under new coach Preki.

``Hard work is going to be done every day,'' Preki said. ``That's the only way you're going to get better. We're going to compete for things here. I was clear in the meeting this morning that the best 11 will play. In those terms, I'm certain that will happen. I don't have any favorites. My favorite players are the best 11.''

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who had five shutouts in 13 games a year ago, figures Chivas is ready to take off.

``I think Preki's definitely up to the task,'' Guzan said. ``... And for us as a team, there's a big improvement from the first year to last year, so we're pretty happy with that.''

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