Chelsea first on Becks’ list

Chelsea are one of the world’s glamour soccer teams, and they will play a strictly supporting role to David Beckham when the English star makes his US debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 21.

Chelsea are one of the world’s glamour soccer teams, and they will play a strictly supporting role to David Beckham when the English star makes his US debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 21.

“It’s a big moment for LA and also US soccer,” Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said after the FA Cup champions trained here for the first time yesterday.

“They couldn’t choose a better player to achieve what they want to achieve. In Europe, we want US soccer to go up (in popularity). We are Chelsea and we have a responsibility. We want to give the Los Angeles Galaxy a big game to promote their new team.”

Chelsea are making their fourth consecutive preseason visit to the United States. They will play Mexico’s America on Saturday before returning to Los Angeles for next week’s World Series of Football, a doubleheader that culminates with Beckham’s first game.

Some Chelsea players are curious to see Beckham’s effect on Major League Soccer, whose quality is considered suspect compared to Europe’s vaunted leagues.

“Is it MLS?” Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole asked hesitantly. “I didn’t know too much about that league until, of course, Beckham’s gone there. This is one person who’s changed and I will start watching it now. Hopefully him going there will change people’s minds to start watching it and enjoy American football.”