By David Gold
November 14 – Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner, Don Garber, has praised David Beckham’s impact on football in the United States, as he gears up for what will likely be his final game of a five-year spell with LA Galaxy.
Beckham will take to the field against Houston Dynamo next Sunday (November 20) for the Galaxy in the MLS Cup Final, hoping to finish his spell in the US on a high.
The former England captain, who signed for LA Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007, has frequently been criticised for his commitment, particularly when he went on loan to AC Milan last year and ended up injuring himself, ruling him out of both the 2010 World Cup and his parent club’s MLS campaign.
Garber wants Beckham, who has suggested he may invest in a club franchise in the MLS, to remain involved in American football.
“I certainly hope to see him back,” said Garber.
“David has delivered for us on all aspects of our expectations, both on and off the field, [he] had a terrific year this year.
“It would be hard to argue that he wasn’t one of the most important players on our fields and really contributed to his team and to the league competitively.
“Off the field, he continues to be an important part of what drives some of the popularity of our league both here and around the world.
“He remains a very popular guy, his presence on the sports pages but also on the ‘people pages’ continues to grow as opposed to wane here in America and we benefit from that.
“MLS wouldn’t be what it is today if David didn’t decide to come and play in Major League Soccer.
“All of us appreciate everything that he has done.”
Beckham’s influence, whilst controversial, has certainly not been insignificant as LA Galaxy gear up for their second MLS Cup final during the midfielder’s time in the US.
In 2009 they lost to Real Salt Lake, with their last MLS title coming in 2005 when they beat New England Revolution.
But attendances are up in the US and were a record 17,872 higher than in Portugal, Brazil and Russia, and though how much of that is down to Beckham is up for debate, Garber believes it has had an influence.
“Galaxy games on the road have our highest average attendance and with a few exceptions the LA Galaxy are our highest rated team on television,” he said.
“LA Galaxy kit sales are among the highest and without a doubt there is more attention for David off the sports pages than any other MLS player.
“I travel quite a bit outside of the United States on football-related business and people seem to ask about two things — when are the Cosmos coming into Major League Soccer and how is David Beckham doing?”
Beckham has been strongly linked with a move to Paris St-Germain, and is likely to move to the French league leaders as he bids to remain in contention for the Team GB squad for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
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