ROMEO BECKHAM made his football debut and whipped in some crosses like his old man – but this was a quiet first pro start.
Beckham, operating on the right-wing just like someone else he knows, played 79 minutes for Inter Miami’s reserve team Fort Lauderdale CF in the first game of his career on Sunday.
But the 19-year-old was unable to inspire his side to victory as they were held to a 2-2 home draw with South Georgia Tormenta FC.
He had 19 touches in the USL League One affair at Drv Pnk Stadium, with several of them leading to crosses from his position out on the wing, yet, overall they lacked the accuracy his dad was famous for.
Romeo did show some flashes of quality with his best attacking moments coming in the second half once he grew into the match.
A sequence in 57th minute saw Romeo drift into a more central area before executing a nice one-two with Phil Neville’s son Harvey, who raced forward onto a well-weighted return ball in space down the right and hit a dangerous cross that was headed wide by a team-mate.
The 75th minute saw Romeo hit a rare but good give-and-go pass with his left foot, prompting a subpar cross from the English teen that was cleared back to him before hitting another poor ball that was played to safety by Tormenta FC.
One of his better moments came on the defensive side seconds before he was substituted with the home side 2-1 up.
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A Tormenta cross was hit to the back post, but Beckham tracked back well and did just enough to put off the ensuing headed attempt.
Central midfielder Neville, who left Manchester United earlier this year to follow his dad Stateside, started and went the distance, connecting with Beckham on very few occasions to show flashes of the legendary Old Trafford combo which helped Alex Ferguson rule the Premier League.
Beckham was dragged back to help the defence mostly, while attempting to adjust to his team-mates’ styles and the speed of play at the professional level.
His lack of understanding with the Fort Lauderdale CF players was clear in the opening minutes, as the team rarely attacked down the right flank.
The game ultimately ended in a draw after Fort Lauderdale CF failed to hold onto two leads, with the second equaliser coming after Beckham had exited the match.
Neville, meanwhile, played from whistle to whistle in the middle of the park and earned a yellow card.
Fellow Englishman and former Sunderland striker Mitch Curry scored the opener in the match in the 13th minute, trapping a ball on the left side of the penalty area before cutting on his right foot and picking out a mid-range shot to the far post.
Neville, the Inter Miami boss, likes the look of Curry and is also hopeful son Harvey can step up to MLS next year.
Beckham will also get more chances to shine but one thing is clear – his mere presence in what is effectively the third tier of US Soccer will help raise the profile of the game here no end.
This match was shown on ESPN+ and the commentators were more than happy to track his progress for viewers which is more than can be said for Inter Miami who failed to announce Becks’ second oldest son had actually signed for Miami’s sister side earlier this month.
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