<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a title="David Beckham comes to Kansas City - KC Wizards Game (18) by ramseymohsen, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramseymohsen/3762734434/"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3762734434_209e59e736.jpg" alt="David Beckham comes to Kansas City - KC Wizards Game (18)" width="500" height="333"></figure></div></a>Photo by Ramsey Moshen</div>
With David Beckham in the final year of his ground-breaking MLS contract,&nbsp;speculation&nbsp;has turned to whether the 36 year-old midfielder will resign with the LA Galaxy and the league, or continue his quest for another international cap elsewhere. &nbsp;In an interview with the press, Garber talked about the MLS All Star’s impact on the league, and as expected painted it as a perfect partnership. &nbsp;His comments, however, reveal a disconnect between the league office and the casual fan.
To do justice to his comments, I want to take each statement individually as reported by <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3722199/MLS-commisioner-Don-Garber-insists-David-Beckham-has-changed-the-game-in-America.html?OTC-RSS&amp;ATTR=Football" target="_blank">The Sun</a> and enter my own comments. &nbsp;Agree or disagree? Sound off below.
“David has been a game-changer for us, on and off the field.”
He’s right in regards to how the league is perceived off the field. &nbsp;The Beckham&nbsp;acquisition&nbsp;brought attention to MLS from the international and domestic press, as well as Hollywood and the New York ad agencies. &nbsp;He became the face of the league to some Americans who are casual-to-non-soccer fans, and in the first year that impact led to higher ticket sales. &nbsp;On the field, however, his impact to this point has been much less. &nbsp;After years of constant injuries and loan deals, he is finally this year showing how well he can play. &nbsp;Case in point – he is among the league leaders in assists. &nbsp;But to say one year (and no MLS Cups) of quality play justifies his salary is absurd.

“We love him. It has almost been five years and now is very established in our country.&nbsp;He has become this larger than life figure and he happens to play in our country for one of our great teams.”
Don Garber loves him, the MLS owners love him, but who else really loves the MLS version of David Beckham? Based on the constant loan deals and yearning to return to England, not David Beckham. &nbsp;Fans will come to see him play and buy his jerseys, but ask opposing fans and see how much they care for Beckham. &nbsp;And I would take issue that he is established in this country when, for the first three years, he was injured or playing on loan in Europe. &nbsp;The dream of Beckham&nbsp;appearing&nbsp;constantly in endorsements and on TV has failed. &nbsp;The promised reality TV shows never materialized. &nbsp;He may still be a name guy in Los Angeles and New York, but if you mention him outside of the coasts he is not really known. &nbsp;I am sure most people can say he plays soccer, but can they talk about him beyond that? &nbsp;And if the league wanted to just make him a name in these two markets, it is incredibly short-sighted.
“There is no question that it was a good financial deal for David and the league but you don’t hear about the money anymore.”
The Sun article begins by mentioning the £128m Beckham has supposedly made during his time in the States. &nbsp;Sports articles on Beckham have down to the game how much money he makes, even now. &nbsp;The money still matters, especially since the league’s best paid player still hasn’t won an MLS Cup.
“He really cares about the league. He wants to build the sport and he wants to give back to the community.”
The Beckhams are very charitable and do a lot of good community work, so I won’t disagree with that. &nbsp;But it is hard to take it seriously that he cares about the league when just this offseason there were rumors of a move to Tottenham (<a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/the-beckham-experiment-needs-to-end/11291" target="_blank">as reported</a> <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/why-david-beckham-should-be-in-l-a-right-now/11614" target="_blank">on this site</a>). &nbsp;This wouldn’t be a big deal except for (a) the previous season-long loan moves and (b) the fact he flees to England as often as possible.
“There is something for David in trying to be the person, like Pele was decades ago, who can be a real pioneer for our sport.”
What was Pele’s impact on American soccer? &nbsp;He certainly was a mythical figure who, while he didn’t save a league, established that Americans love star power even in soccer and the sport can sell out large venues. &nbsp;His impact on the game itself in America is debatable, but he did add to the mythos of soccer in America. &nbsp;What will Beckham’s impact be? &nbsp;I doubt that years from now it will be revered as Pele; in fact it may be more negative due to the money spent and the lack of playing time for most of the contract.
“I am not sure what his future is or what his plans are but it would be great to have him in MLS for years to come.”
And that is the big offseason question – will he or won’t he? And should it matter?

Don Garber Misreads the Beckham Experiment

Don Garber Misreads the Beckham Experiment - World Soccer Talk

All of us have had friends who are in a complicated relationship.&nbsp; It may even have been us: the guy recently began dating a much more attractive woman who, while not a young bombshell, is still a gorgeous woman.&nbsp; This woman recently ended an intense relationship but does not treat your friend like a rebound – she says all the right things when all your buddies meet up for drinks and she obviously cares for him.&nbsp; They had a rough beginning – your friend had jealousy issues, she had to get used to your friend’s idiosyncrasies – but they seem to be going well together.&nbsp; But you notice she likes to eye the bar a little too much, and seems to often stare off at other men, with that look in her eyes asking “what if”.&nbsp; She knows your friend is the best fit for her, but can’t help wondering if she can relive the glory days with other, more glamorous guys like the one she used to date.
What would you tell your friend?&nbsp; Wouldn’t you warn him about where this relationship is headed, if not tell him he should begin thinking about breaking it off before it gets too messy?
The Galaxy and David Beckham have reached that point.&nbsp; After a few years of settling in and finding their grooves in their relationship, Beckham is again the center of transfer rumors to England.&nbsp; This time it is a loan deal to Tottenham for a few months, to help Harry Redknapp’s team make a run at the title.&nbsp; The Galaxy have patiently dealt with Beckham’s desire to play top-flight football, quietly conceding most of the 2010 season after he picked up an Achilles injury playing for AC Milan and uttering nary a protest when he speaks of his desire to play for the English national team again.&nbsp; And it’s not like they have not benefited, having made tons of money off the Beckham name.&nbsp; But it has to stop.
How many games has David Beckham, he of the $250 million contract, played for the LA Galaxy since the beginning of 2009?&nbsp; 16.&nbsp; Just 16 (hat tip <a href="http://www.twitter.com/SteveDavis90" target="_blank">Steve Davis</a>). It’s time for this experiment to end and for the Galaxy to make a permanent transfer of Beckham to an English team.
The LA Galaxy are poised to make a run at an elusive third MLS Cup.&nbsp; If the club can sign Juan Pablo Angel and hold on to internationally coveted players like Edson Buddle and Omar Gonzalez, Bruce Arena has constructed the ultimate win-now team.&nbsp; It has experience, fire power, and enough defense to win the MLS Cup.&nbsp; Beckham is an important part of this, expected to play a solid midfield and do what he does best – scare the heck out of teams during corner kicks and free kicks.&nbsp; But if Beckham leaves or, God forbid, gets hurt, where does that leave LA?&nbsp; Experienced yes but missing a starter in the midfield.&nbsp; It’s better for them to plan now and use his DP spot to get another midfielder.
We’ve seen this story before – David Beckham wanted to go on a short loan to AC Milan that basically turned into a two-year commitment and an injury.&nbsp; Now, knowing that he has to keep in front of the English coaching staff’s vision to fulfill his dream of playing for England (again), there are these reports of a short-term loan to Tottenham.&nbsp; What if he finds success coming off the bench?&nbsp; What if Spurs are still in a title hunt in March?&nbsp; They will certainly be in the hunt for a Champions League spot.&nbsp; Will this time Team Beckham reject a longer loan and come back to LA?
I remember watching the LA Galaxy dominate the Seattle Sounders (sorry Seattle fans) in the second leg of this year’s playoffs.&nbsp; Beckham was starting and played maybe his best game of the past two years.&nbsp; He was flying all over the pitch, helping thwart the Sounder’s attack and serving as a conduit to the Galaxy attack.&nbsp; This was the Beckham MLS and LA fans have wanted to see since “the Beckham rule” went into effect, and it has been a rare treat these past few years.&nbsp; A loan spell could guarantee they may not see that again this year, and because of that it is time to finally cut the cord.&nbsp; MLS and the Galaxy deserve better.

The Beckham Experiment Needs to End

The Beckham Experiment Needs to End - World Soccer Talk

If you’re like me, the holidays are a time of getting out of your workday routines due to relaxation/travel/stress.&nbsp; In fact, at times I miss news stories because I tend not to check news sites or Twitter as much as I normally do.&nbsp; So as I begin my work week routine again, I notice that I have missed some news items over the past week or so that were interesting or important.
So as a service to our loyal readers and fans who may have been more focused on family and friends than on following all the American soccer news out there (and you know who you are), here is a summary of the major goings-ons from the past week and a half that we have not covered here on MLS Talk.&nbsp; And if my holiday celebration prevented me from including some major news, please enlighten or remind me in the comments section:
–&nbsp; The Beckham loan rumors are flying again, and this time he is expected to become a bench option at <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/spurs-manager-redknapp-we-want-beckham-loan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tottenham</a>.&nbsp; The rumor sounds fishy, but Harry Redknapp is crazy like a fox, so maybe there is something to this.&nbsp; Expect a post this week on David Beckham and MLS.
–&nbsp; The Generation Adidas class <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/five-akron-players-headline-2011-generation-adidas-class" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has been finalized</a>, and nine college underclassmen will be part of the 2011 Superdraft, five from the NCAA champion Akron Zips.&nbsp; Expect many of these players to be taken in the first round and possibly contribute immediately to their new clubs.
–&nbsp; Edson Buddle and Omar Cummings have been eyed by a few English clubs, but no deals have been announced.&nbsp; Both players are wanted by their current teams, so we shall see if anything comes of their overseas trainings.
–&nbsp; Two players who definitely are moving overseas are <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-12-23-findley-going-to-england_N.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Robbie Findley</a> and <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/857786?cc=5901" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Freddie Ljungberg</a>.&nbsp; Findley will sign with Nottingham Forest, a second-tier English club, once his work permit has been sorted out.&nbsp; Former Chicago and Seattle player Ljungberg, who made his name playing for Arsenal prior to his MLS move, has signed a contract with Celtic.
–&nbsp; In coaching news, Toronto <a href="http://blogs.thescore.com/footyblog/2011/01/03/breaking-news-aron-winter-takes-charge-at-toronto-fc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">looks set to hire</a> ex-Netherlands international Aaron Winter as its new head coach and Revolution assistant Paul Mariner to the front office.&nbsp; Or vice versa.&nbsp; While it’s not official until the press conference, this is good news to TFC fans after the <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/toronto-fc-continues-its-befuddling-offseason-with-de-rosario-controversy/11214" target="_blank" rel="noopener">De Rosario controversy </a>last week.&nbsp; Chivas USA would then become the only team without a head coach, after Juan Carlos Osorio <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/soccer/news/story?id=5964913" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected an offer</a> to take the team’s vacant position.&nbsp; But it looks like RSL assistant <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/report-rsl-assistant-fraser-be-new-chivas-usa-coach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Robin Fraser</a> will be named the new head coach very soon.
–&nbsp; American international Brad Guzan will finally get some starts for a club team, as Aston Villa <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/9331207.stm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have loaned him</a> to Hull City.
What did I miss?

What You Missed in American Soccer Over the Holidays

What You Missed in American Soccer Over the Holidays - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1873" src="/files/2009/02/david-beckham-la-galaxy.jpg" alt="david-beckham-la-galaxy" width="375" height="375"></figure></div>
The LA Galaxy and AC Milan have until Friday to work out an agreement to see where David Beckham will play for after the March transfer date. With the start of the MLS season coming quickly it will be nice to have this finally come to an end so it won’t distract the Galaxy as they get set for their season, a season they will want to improve on and make the playoffs this year. Beckham’s contract allows him to leave the Galaxy after the ’09 season, and anyone reading his quotes over the last month know his heart is in Italy so if the Italian giants can offer a deal in excess of $10 million then the league should accept that and carry on or they will get zero when he does ultimately walk after the ’09 season. I for one applaud commissioner Don Garber in wanting to get this resolved as quickly as possible, it’s about time Major League Soccer sets the deadline and it let’s other clubs around the league that they won’t be played like a fiddle.
So what are your thoughts, will AC Milan up their offer and keep Beckham? Will they let him go back to the LA Galaxy and wait until the 2009 season when Beckham can walk out on his MLS deal and re-sign him then?
Jason Pedersen writes for <a href="http://www.justsoccerjerseys.com">JustSoccerJerseys</a>

MLS Gives a Friday Deadline on Beckham Deal

MLS Gives a Friday Deadline on Beckham Deal - World Soccer Talk

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