Beckham role in US praised by MLS Commissioner

By Duncan Mackay

November 22 – David Beckham (pictured) has been credited by Don Garber, the Commissioner of Major League Soccer (MLS), for his role in helping the sport establish itself in the United States.

Beckham will today appear in his biggest match since he moved to the US in 2007 when he plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Cup Final against Real Salt Lake at Qwest in Seattle, although his build-up has been hampered by an ankle injury.

The match was expected to attract a crowd of 36,000 but interest has surged since Galaxy reached the final and more than 45,000 tickets have now been sold.

Garber said: ”I have always been envious of pro sports leagues that always seem to have their biggest teams and most popular clubs in the finals.

“The [New York] Yankees always seem to be there, and if not them then it is the [Boston] Red Sox.

“You see the [LA] Lakers [in basketball] and the [New York] Giants in football.

“That kind of thing helps your ratings.

“David has been hugely important to the league in helping us grow our exposure in the United States and globally.

“The good thing is that it is not just about him being here but being part of a really competitive team and a key part of their success.

“That is what he is doing.

“Now instead of the images you see beamed around of David sitting courtside at Lakers games, you see pictures of him pointing at his watch and shouting at the referee that he is allowing too much time.

“The fact that you can go into a host site that isn’t in the home of any of the two participating teams and have 40,000 fans come, probably sitting in the rain, and experience a celebration of our two best teams, I think that’s a statement about where soccer has come.”

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