Galaxy

In the wake of a renewed Eagles quarterback saga, the Phillies' National League Division Series Game 1 and the Flyers' opening night, it's conceivable that the arrival of international soccer superstar David Beckham could go relatively unnoticed this week among Philadelphia sports enthusiasts. Beckham, Major League Soccer's biggest name, arrives in town tomorrow night with the Los Angeles Galaxy in advance of Thursday night's clash at PPL Park against the Union in MLS' Game of the Week (8 p.m., ESPN2)

The shot bent around the wall, a laser from 25 yards out, into the upper corner of the goal, the keeper helplessly diving to his left, empty once again. David Beckham has scored many big goals, including tallies in three different World Cups for England, but Sunday's highlight-film free kick was his first goal in just his fourth game back since suffering what at first was considered a potential career-ending left Achilles injury. For arguably the most famous soccer player in the world, it was a major step.

The Los Angeles Galaxy activated David Beckham from their disabled list Thursday. The midfielder hopes to appear as a reserve in the Galaxy's home game Saturday against Columbus, although coach Bruce Arena said it's unlikely he'll play. Beckham tore his left Achilles' tendon March 14 while on loan with AC Milan, undergoing surgery two days later on an injury that prevented him from playing in the World Cup. COLLEGES: Temple named Justin Miller as director of the Student-Athlete Academic Advising & Support Center.

Omar Gonzalez headed in a corner by Landon Donovan in the 90th minute, allowing the Los Angeles Galaxy to grab a 1-1 tie against the shorthanded Chicago Fire on Saturday in Bridgeview, Ill. Chicago was already without leading scorer Marco Pappa, who is on national-team duty with Guatemala, and the Fire were forced to play with only 10 men after Gonzalo Segares was ejected in the 21st minute. But Collins John, who came on in the 83d minute, gave Chicago the lead with a free kick from 20 yards in the 87th, curling it past a diving Donovan Ricketts and just inside the far post.

Stephen Starr , who has 13 restaurants in town, will take over the restaurant, cafe, and catering operation at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its branch across the street at the Perelman Center. Starr's catering operation will replace New York-based Restaurant Associates, which held the contract for 16 years. When Starr's people get the keys Aug. 1, the restaurant will close for several weeks of renovations. Starr said he had not selected a theme for the restaurant and cafe, but that menus would reflect gallery shows.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 Four stars Publisher: Nintendo System: Nintendo Wii Price: $49.99 Age rating: Everyone Super Mario Galaxy didn't fall short in any aspect when it was released a couple of years ago. But danged if Nintendo didn't find a few things its sequel could use. Super Mario Galaxy 2 doesn't reinvent the Mario wheel - the original game took care of that. Instead, it expands on some elements, streamlines others, offers a new set of incredible levels to explore, and introduces several new items and features.

The Union face their biggest challenge on a number of fronts when they visit the Los Angeles Galaxy in Saturday's Major League Soccer matchup at the Home Depot Center. Besides the fact that the Galaxy are 4-0-1 this year, the Union will face Los Angeles without their leading goal-scorer, Sebastien Le Toux. He is out with what the team calls a mild left knee injury suffered in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the host New York Red Bulls in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament. As if it won't be difficult enough playing without the striker who has scored five of the team's six goals, the Union (1-3 in MLS games)

As expected, Union forward Sebastien Le Toux has been ruled out of Saturday's road game against the Los Angeles Galaxy with a left knee injury. He was hurt Tuesday during a 2-1 loss to the host New York Red Bulls in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in game. A spokeswoman for the Union described the injury as mild and said it was in the team's best interest to give Le Toux the week off. Le Toux has four goals in four Major League Soccer games for the 1-3 Union. He scored another in Tuesday's U.S. Open loss.

In just a few weeks, one of America's great industrial migrations will be under way: The new 2010 car models will begin rolling into the nation's car dealerships. While this is typically accompanied by a figurative flourish of trumpets, this year's fleet arrives to the funereal drumbeat of dealerships slamming shut. The latest estimates predict that a total of 3,800 dealerships will close by next summer, putting up to 150,000 people out of work. Though these closings are but one painful detail of the current economic calamity, they deserve particular attention.

At one end of the court, Kobe Bryant sat on the scorer's table, his legs dangling, his Nike running sneakers - of a design not yet released - not quite reaching the hardwood. At the other end, LeBron James slouched in a chair along the baseline, his navy shorts pulled well below the knee, an "East" headband stretched across his forehead. Between these two were the rest of the NBA all-stars, stationed randomly - some standing on the court, others seated around it - at the Adidas Center Court inside the Phoenix Convention Center.