Beckham Calls Move to MLS A Success

By Simon Lewis
Contributing Writer


EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- David Beckham has declared his transfer to the Los Angeles Galaxy a success. But the British sports icon feels that Major League Soccer has much to do before it becomes a force in world soccer. One year and a day after Beckham marked his first start for the Galaxy with a trademark free-kick goal against D.C. United, the midfielder said he was enjoying life in the MLS following an injury-plagued opening season in 2007.

Beckham, 33, joined the Galaxy from Real Madrid last July, after signing a five-year contract worth $250 million the previous January. He has scored five goals and recorded seven assists in 16 games approaching the midway point of the 2008 campaign. Beckham's star appeal has already seen ticket sales reach more than 45,000 at Giants Stadium for Saturday night's clash with the New York Red Bulls, further proof that he is continuing to be a big hit in the United States.

"Soccer's definitely changing in this country and it's getting bigger and it's growing, but it's going to take time," Beckham said Friday before training. "I said that at the start - it's not just going to happen in a year or two. It's a long-term plan to raise the profile of the game in the country, and it's going well so far." Beckham was asked if he was playing a crucial part in that plan. "I'd like to think so," he said. "It's one of the reasons why I moved here, to be a part of growing the game here and hopefully people are seeing the changes. "The attendances are up 20 percent, shirt sales are up 780 percent, so I heard, so it's going well. "That's obviously what the game needs in this country, the hype's there and it's just about keeping it going."

Beckham reiterated his point that it will take more than a quick fix to both raise the standard of play and attract other big names to MLS in order to transform it into a league comparable with those in more established soccer countries. "It's going to take longer than a year to happen, but this league and the teams in it will start attracting players from Europe," he said. "On the other side, you see Jozy Altidore go to Villareal (from the Red Bulls), and so if you're a good player in this league, you're going to have a chance to play in other big leagues in the world, in Europe. "There are a lot of people putting a lot of money into this league and trying to grow it, and in the next few years you going to see that emergence. I've always said that the level here is a lot higher than people actually think it is. I've been here a year now and seen some of the talented players and teams that are in this league."