By DEREK VAN DIEST, SUN MEDIA
The weather is expected to co-operate, David Beckham escaped injury and the Vancouver Whitecaps won their last league game.
All is falling into place for tomorrow's exhibition soccer game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Whitecaps at Commonwealth Stadium.
Yesterday, the Whitecaps announced tickets have topped the 30,000 mark for the contest.
They are hoping to rival the 48,000 that showed up to an exhibition match between the two teams last November at B.C. Place in Vancouver -- a game that had to be re-scheduled after Beckham suffered a knee injury.
"We're led to believe, and I've been part of games there, that it's a walk-up crowd in Edmonton," said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi.
"We're assuming we're going to get another 5,000 to 10,000. If that's the case, then that's fantastic. We're happy where we are right now. Obviously we would always like more, but it's at a good place right now."
Both the Whitecaps and the Galaxy played league games this weekend.
The Whitecaps won their USL match 1-0 at home to the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday, while Beckham and the Galaxy lost 2-1 at home to the New York Red Bulls in their MLS contest.
Beckham came out of the contest physically unscathed.
As the main attraction, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is under contract to play in the contest for at least 45 minutes. So far this season Beckham, 33, has played every minute of every league game for the Galaxy. He has three goals and has set up four others in seven games so far.
Both teams are arriving in Edmonton today.
"I'd be lying if I didn't say (seeing whether Beckham was injured) was the first thing I looked for after their game, because obviously that happened last time when we were out in Vancouver and that set us back," Lenarduzzi said.
"Both teams are going to be in form and that's going to make for a better game," Lenarduzzi said.
"Beckham, himself, is not carrying any injuries and is playing very well right now."
