EDMONTON (CBC) - The Vancouver Whitecaps had to wait awhile, but they finally have their rematch with David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy.
The Whitecaps and Galaxy square off in an exhibition game Tuesday at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium (CBCSports.ca, 9 pm ET), six months after the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw before 48,172 fans at Vancouver's BC Place.
Both clubs have made some big changes since their previous meeting.
The Galaxy, in third place in Major League Soccer's Western Conference, have switched coaches, with Dutch legend Ruud Gullit replacing former Canadian national team manager Frank Yallop.
The Whitecaps, who play in the United Soccer League First Division (one level below MLS), have also changed coaches, replacing American Bob Lilley with Icelandic manager Teitur Thordarson.
But the main attraction of Tuesday's matchup, Beckham, is still with L.A.
The English midfielder has three goals in seven games this season, and has twice been named MLS player of the week, after sitting out most of the 2007 campaign due to injuries.
As one of the world's most famous athletes, Beckham has showed off his skills internationally, but he told Edmonton reporters at a press conference last month that he is looking forward to playing in the Alberta capital, a city made famous by hockey's Wayne Gretzky.
"I don't know much about Edmonton," Beckham admitted.
"I've talked to a few people up there that said it may be cold. But that's nothing I'm not used to because I'm English and we're used to that kind of weather. But it's great to play in a new place, especially somewhere where Wayne made famous. It'll be an honour to play there."
Game should stir emotions
Even though Tuesday's game is an exhibition match, Beckham expects competitive spirits to be running high among both teams, especially after their tightly contested game last November.
"We witnessed in the game that we played them before, it was a tough game and unfortunately there were no goals scored, but hopefully we can change that this time around," Beckham said.
Gullit was a stylish player during his days with Italian club AC Milan and the Dutch national team, and he remained committed to playing attacking and entertaining soccer during his previous coaching tenures with Chelsea and Newcastle United in the English Premiership, and Feyenoord in the Dutch first division.
Gullit, voted the 1987 Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) winner as the European player of the year, has imparted that philosophy in L.A., and said he hopes his team can provide plenty of entertainment for the Edmonton fans.
"You want to see an open game ... you don't want to go out there with just open hands," said the Dutchman. "You want to see certain things that you would see in the regular league competition. We're going to do whatever we have to do to win the game and hopefully, we will score some goals."
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