(Thanks to the always-gracious Andy Mead of YCJ Photo for the image.)

I like the Galaxy to beat Real Salt Lake.

I asked my friend Dan Loney, who is a huge Galaxy fan but hates David Beckham like people who really hate things hate things, “Would you be conflicted if Becks scored the game-winner Sunday night?”

Dan said, “HE OWES US.”

Apparently they’ll be square if Beckham comes through on Sunday. My guess is he will, the Galaxy will win, and we’ll be spared the caterwauling from the Bigsoccer ignoscenti about an eighth seed being crowned MLS champion.

The game is at 8:30pm ET on Sunday night on ESPN, up against Chicago/Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football.

You have been warned.

So, Becks. Welcome back. Looks like they’re as committed to you as you are to them.

Los Angeles fans gave David Beckham an antihero’s welcome before and during the Galaxy’s 2-2 friendly draw with AC Milan last night.

He had two assists and the team (eek) hasn’t lost since his return last week. This should be fun.

EDIT: The BBC has video of the incident with LA fans. I know you’re as surprised as me that the guy who jumped out of the stands wasn’t Dan Loney.

Probably the best part of last night’s 3-1 win by the LA Galaxy over the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium – Alecko Eskandarian‘s brilliant third-minute goal:

BTW, Becks and Grant Wahl finally met up, and Grahame Jones has the story.

Nick Green nails it here when he discusses David Beckham‘s “commitment” to Major League Soccer. (Jeffrey Marcus of the New York Times is on the case here as well.)

“David is committed – he really is committed,” (MLS Commissioner Don) Garber said. “I believe he’s committed. I could not and cannot ask more from David (in showing) his commitment to us.”

Except maybe that he show up most of the time? Not run off to Milan for half the year? Play like he’s interested when he is here? Could we ask that?

Beckham is (admittedly) just a working-class bloke from East London, so some words and definitions might escape him (though he’s been married for 10 years now – well done, there). But what does Garber mean? I don’t mind you pulling my leg, Mr. Commissioner, but don’t lie to me like I’m Montel Williams.

Try this one on your wife: “Honey, I’m committed to you – I really am committed. You can believe I’m committed. You could not and cannot ask more from me in showing my commitment to you. But I’m going to go date that hot blonde from accounting. Just temporary, I’ll be back. And I intend to stay with you for years.”

Are you the chicken or the pig? In the ham-and-eggs breakfast scenario, the chicken is involved. But the pig is committed.

Maybe he could have stopped the war in Iraq, but David Beckham has apparently defused the battle in his own locker room.

“It’s over. I’m not going to talk about what was said. That’s between me, Landon and the manager. But it’s finished. It’s over. So we move on.”

It’s a shame, really. This could have been the most interesting thing regarding Beckham in quite some time as it pertains to his American adventure. Now it’s over. Now we just wait out the rest of the season and that’s that.

Or is it?

“I intend to stay until the end of my contract and maybe further. I’ve always said that. I’ve always said, even when I went to Milan, that I’m committed to the Galaxy and to MLS, and that hasn’t changed.”

“Except I won’t be here for most of each season because I want to also play in Europe,” he didn’t add. But should have.

If you’re committed, you’re here. You don’t just pop in and out when it suits you.

Which is, at the core of it, what Landon Donovan was on about, wasn’t it?

This one with DC United honcho Kevin Payne and this one with Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated, whose new book about David Beckham is causing a bit of a stir.

So is David Beckham really a bad captain and teammate? And what will happen now that he’s due back in the States soon and will return to his contractually-obligated, short-term-stint MLS career next week against the Red Bulls in New York? Dan Loney and I will discuss that and other topics in the latest episode of Four At The Back.

So Landon Donovan called Becks out, then said he wished he hadn’t. Dan’s uncomfortable being in the middle because he likes them both and he has to hear it from both sides and he’s just…so over it already.

The USA’s performance to this point in the Gold Cup, the upcoming semifinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and the future of SuperLiga are also on the agenda for our 14th episode, which you can download here.

Keep those emails and iTunes reviews and ratings coming, folks. Or leave a comment below. Thanks to those of you who have subscribed lo these many weeks and to those of you who have just discovered the show.

Some weeks are going to be like this. Dan Loney and I will be unable to connect to bring you a regular edition of Four At The Back this week, but fear not. Here‘s the first-ever Four At The Back EXTRA, where you can hear an entire interview with one of our guests, instead of just the five or six minutes we’re able to fit into a regular show segment.

Jesse Marsch, captain of surprising Chivas USA, discusses the Goats’ fast start, playing for Preki, his own potential coaching career, his departure from Chicago, David Beckham, how different MLS is now from when he first came into the league in 1996 and more in a show you can download here.

Thanks for all of your support. Subscribe to us on iTunes, please keep sending us your feedback and we’ll be back with a regular edition of Four At The Back next week.