Stallone takes to Liverpool soccer field

Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone greets supporters before the start of the English Premiership soccer match between Everton and Reading at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England Sunday Jan. 14, 2007. (AP Photo/PA, Peter Byrne)

LIVERPOOL, England - As L.A. prepares to welcome David Beckham, Sylvester Stallone took to the Liverpool soccer field on Sunday.

At the start of Everton Football Club's Premiership match against Reading, the "Rocky" star held up a blue-and-white Everton scarf to loud cheers from the 30,000-strong crowd.

Stallone, 60, was not the only American on the field. Both teams were fielding American goalkeepers — Tim Howard for Everton and Marcus Hahnemann for Reading.

The actor is due in London later in the week for the British premiere of "Rocky Balboa," his sixth film about the blue-collar Philadelphia boxer.

Soccer's profile in the United States got a boost this week when former England captain Beckham announced he was leaving Real Madrid for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.

Beckham's wife Victoria- the former Posh Spice of the Spice Girls?- was greeted by a scrum of paparazzi when she arrived in L.A. on Saturday.

Stallone said he was excited about the sport's future in the U.S.

"I think it will be fantastic when David Beckham goes to the States. ... This could be great for everybody," he said. "Beckham could be a big hit in the States."