MLS and LA Galaxy: Pretty Much Screwed.

"If David continues to be called up we'll drive him to the airport."
Alexi Lalas to BBC Radio Five Live.

What is he talking about?

If Beckham continues to play as stellar as he has in the last two games - setting up 75% of their goals from the last two games - there is no way he will be able to commit to train or play for any of the Galaxy games that the MLS has advertised the hell out of to get bums in the seats.

Its hard to believe Lalas, especially since their position after Beckham was initially called up was so...lukewarm. Offering any rides to the airport to Beckham is akin to throwing away not just a lot of money (talk about sponsorships, contract deals, banking on Beckham's profile to sell soccer crap to otherwise ambivalent US fans/spectators, let alone the ticket holders who paid JUST to see Beckham), but its another blow to the MLS and its crusade to become more high profile and, well, relevant.

Many of the games that Beckham is scheduled to play for the Galaxy directly conflict with the upcoming England international games. Because Lalas has said he is going to "comply with FIFA" (which is really a requirement, and is nothing to be praised), Beckham will be allowed to play for England first, Galaxy second...and unlike Prima Donovan, Beckham - and the English (hell, even the rest of the international football world) - know that you cannot pick and choose the international games you want to play (although the coach - and McClaren may - choose to exclude you). The way it stands now, should Beckham continue to play as he has been, he is an essential to the English and will be called to every future international game, which leaves the Galaxy out in the cold...unless he gets injured. And then everyone is completely screwed.

Beckham is to be the ambassador of soccer - to help soccer gain the profile needed for it to start making money to hopefully negate those ridiculous familial salary caps that the MLS places on its players (save the "Beckham" Designated Player Rule).

Just thinking about all the ticket holders who were counting on seeing Beckham - clearly a relevant, excellent, and international all star player - was the primary incentive for Galaxy fans (seeing as the Galaxy has won ONE GAME this season thus far), now, really, will they even bother coming out? Probably but will they even stay for the entire game? Doubtful. The stands are half full now - and the Galaxy don't seem to be doing any better without Beckham - and it doesn't help that the rest of the international world is speculating at how foolish its going to look when Beckham comes on the field and plays with this otherwise "B" team.

So how to remedy this? At this point, the Galaxy has to play better and start to win games because there is frankly no incentive for him to come now - outside of sheer dollars (or pounds) and clearly he has plenty of that already. Otherwise, the Galaxy and the MLS have to stop holding their breath for Beckham to come save the MLS and start to try to save themselves, because its clear that as much as it may infuriating, Beckham actually now has better things to do.

This isn't doubting his commitment to honor his contract with the Galaxy - but the quality of the play is getting worse at the same time that Beckham is getting so much better. Regardless of ethics of upholding his contract, Beckham should not come and waste what could be some of his prime years with...a sub par team. Its not hating on the MLS, but stating a fact...and the Galaxy need to just move on, let Beckham do what he will do with England, and try to improve the league internally. Banking on Beckham is only putting off an inevitable question that needs to be answered not by any player across the sea, designated to "save" or "elevate" the MLS but by just the bulk of the players playing a better, skilled, faster, and witty game. They can do it but not by just awaiting for the next star to come and save the MLS single handedly.