David Beckham’s AC Milan teammate Oguchi Onyewu pays Galaxy a visit

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One surprise visitor to the Galaxy locker room after Sunday night’s 1-0 Major League Soccer playoff victory over Chivas USA was U.S. national team defender Oguchi Onyewu.

The 27-year-old, sporting a brace on his left leg and propping himself up with a crutch after surgery on a ruptured tendon suffered Oct. 14 in a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica, was otherwise in good spirits as he chatted with future AC Milan teammate David Beckham and several other Galaxy players.

How soon will Onyewu be back on the field?

‘As soon as I can, without any complications,’ he said. ‘The surgery went well. Dr. Bert Mandelbaum did a great job. Right now I’m 2 1/2 weeks out and feeling a lot better every day.

‘I’m starting my rehab here in L.A. and taking it slowly until I can be more mobile and perhaps continue it elsewhere,’ Onyewu said.

Onyewu said he is determined to get back in time to play at the World Cup in South Africa, but the time line for his return is uncertain.

‘It’s anywhere from three to six months,’ he said. ‘I’m trying to get back as soon as possible but knowing that I’m not trying to rush it because I’m trying to do it right the first time without having to backtrack.

‘I’m anticipating definitely being back this season. Don’t count me out for the World Cup.’

And is he looking forward to playing with Beckham after the Galaxy midfielder rejoins AC Milan in January?

‘I’m looking forward to playing, period,’ Onyewu said.

-- Grahame L. Jones