David Beckham will return to play in the USA after the World Cup,
the head of Major League Soccer has insisted.
Don Garber, commissioner of MLS, said Beckham's move to the
Los Angeles Galaxy has been hugely successful and that contrary to
some reports the England midfielder would return to the USA.
Garber told Press Association Sport: "David will be back
after the World Cup, no doubt about that.
"He has been a success. There are always going to be people,
particularly in England, that look at everything and don't see the
positives.
"Our league is on the map globally, he's one of the most
popular people on the planet and he plays in Major League Soccer
for Los Angeles Galaxy.
"That in itself has shown the world we are serious in that we
have one of the great international players is in our league.
"Have there been challenges with him going back and forth?
Absolutely, but sometimes that kind of buzz is good.
"Football is a phenomenon in the United States now."
Garber is hoping that the Beckham factor will increase
interest in England's opening match of the World Cup against the
USA.
He added: "I think it's important that England has a good
World Cup - except for the first match!
"It will be one of the most popular sports events in America
for quite some time. ESPN is going to promote it more than any
other event in their history, it's a rematch of the 1950 World Cup
match which we surprisingly won.
"It's Beckham v Landon Donovan (a Galaxy team-mate) and that
could be a great story. I hope David Beckham plays and he's
certainly been spending a lot of time in Milan to give him the best
chance of playing."
Garber also insists he is confident that the ongoing dispute
between the MLS and the players will be resolved. The MLS controls
all salaries and movement of players between the 16 clubs and the
players are calling for more freedom.
Garber said: "I wouldn't say there are issues. Years ago
there was nothing to fight about in MLS, teams were struggling and
it was hard to see a bright economic future.
"Now there's more stability - though the league is still
running at a deficit - and the players are looking for more money
and to have better working conditions.
"We'll get through it, we'll find a system that works for us
and the players."
