Stars
Beckham promises to return to MLS, buy club
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-23 17:04
SEATTLE: David Beckham did all he could to win a football championship in a third country but it wasn't quite enough.
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 Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham sits on the field during the end of regulation play at their MLS Cup 2009 championship soccer match against Real Salt Lake in Seattle November 22, 2009. [Agencies]  |
The England veteran took three painkilling injections to dull the pain in his bruised right foot before Sunday night's MLS Cup title match for Los Angeles. He set up his team's only goal. He played all 120 minutes, including 30 minutes of overtime. Then he banged in the first of the Galaxy's four penalties in a shootout.
But after Real Salt Lake won on penalties over his star-studded Galaxy team, Beckham reiterated that he will return for the fourth season of his five-year MLS contract.
"Of course," the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder said of returning in 2010. "I've said I'll be back, and I will."
Beckham says he will eventually exercise his option to buy an MLS club. His options begin with the 20th team in the league, which won't come until at least 2012.
For now, he'll take four weeks off to rest his foot, then plans to report on December 28 to begin training for his second consecutive season on loan to AC Milan.
Before returning to MLS, the 34-year-old hopes to make England's team for the World Cup in South Africa.
His Sunday was like his team's: a flashy, productive start that fizzled into a slog through the overtime.
"(The injections) wore off after about 50 minutes," he said.
It showed. His passes often fell short in the second half. In the 58th minute, he was flat-footed and seemed surprised by a shot taken a few feet in front of him by Salt Lake's Robbie Findley.
In the 116th minute, his free kick was punched away by Rimando. Beckham limped the other way with his head bowed.
"What's your definition of fully fit?" Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said when asked how healthy Beckham was. "He was obviously a little bit hobbled."
Beckham remained the team leader, through the end. He was the only Galaxy player not wearing a team coat on the chilly Northwest night as Salt Lake was introduced for its trophy ceremony. From the center of the field, Beckham waved his teammates and coaches back from heading into the tunnel and locker room. They then joined him to watch Real hoist its first MLS Cup.
"You guys see what happens when the lights come on. But what we see every day in the locker room, on the road, when we travel, has been tremendous," Donovan said of the teammate whom he had ripped for lack of leadership and effort in a book released earlier this year.
"The other thing you don't see is this guy has been hurt or sick for probably the last six or seven games. But he gets on with it and he plays."
Commissioner Don Garber clarified at halftime Sunday that Beckham's option starts with the MLS' 20th team, which won't arrive until 2012 at the earliest. Beckham's option stipulates he must be done playing before he owns a team.
"We've got options of which team (to buy)," he said, declining to name them or potential cities. "It will happen eventually, yeah."
The Galaxy brought Beckham in as a boost for the struggling team and the sport's low profile in America.
Mission accomplished.
"He gave us the boost we needed, when we needed it most," Garber said. "More people know of us now than in any time in the league's history."
The commissioner said he was touring a remote part of southwest China last summer during the Beijing Olympics.
"And my guide there," Garber said, "he even knew David was in MLS."
