McTavish reflects on Beckham, hometown

By Jeremy Stafford -- jstafford@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- ESPN played it over and over and over.

The highlight of L.A. Galaxy midfielder David Beckham's first Major League Soccer goal.

Devon McTavish, a centerback for D.C. United who played soccer at James Wood High School and West Virginia University, recalls Beckham's goal as "kind of an infamous moment for me."

On Aug. 15, 2008, in a SuperLiga semifinal, and Beckham's first MLS start, McTavish fouled Carlos Pavon just outside of the penalty box.

Beckham, as he is so wont to do, curved the ensuing free kick into the net.

"Every time they showed that Beckham highlight, he scores the goal and you see me and my head just drops," McTavish said.

McTavish did, however, find an odd sort of serenity in the fact that he contributed to a career first for his childhood hero.

Of course, McTavish, who made his MLS debut as a sub on June 21, 2006, and has logged 4,413 minutes in two years playing for United, has much fonder memories.

He remembers growing up in Winchester and looking forward to that first weekend of May, when everyone coats themselves in pink and green, and when schools are closed on Friday for Apple Blossom weekend.

"You just kinda run a ruckus around the downtown mall area," McTavish laughed. "Coming back to it, it's pretty special.

"One Apple Blossom doesn't really stand out now, but all of them are just so much fun."

He's quick to point out, though in a playful manner, that despite his recent success in the MLS, McTavish is not a local celebrity, but an Apple Blossom Festival sports guest.

And though McTavish has become a mainstay on the Apple Blossom sports guests list, he admits that once the D.C. United schedule is posted, the first date he checks is the Apple Blossom weekend, to make sure he can make the trip to Winchester, whether he's invited or not.

But that eight-month soccer schedule is long, much longer than he was used to in high school and college, and it severely limits his availability.

"The winter's about the only time I can make it to an event," McTavish said. "I always mark every [James Wood] soccer game and I try to figure out which ones I can go to, but it never really seems to work out."

Recently, McTavish found the time to visit his high school alma mater, where he met with James Wood girls soccer coach Jim Carden, who coached the Handley boys team when McTavish played for the Colonels. And he pointed out, rather excitedly, that James Wood downed Handley this season, "which doesn't happen every year."

But he wishes he could do more.

"I don't think I do enough stuff back here," McTavish said. "It's kind of difficult with the schedule, but I do get back here every once in a while to do camps and stuff.

"I haven't forgotten about the town -- obviously there are a lot of people here helped me be who I am today."