The star combination of the MLS MVP and the league's best-known player nearly carried the Los Angeles Galaxy to their third MLS Cup title last season.
If they want to get back to the biggest stage in American soccer, though, Landon Donovan is going to have to make do without David Beckham.
Beckham may miss the entire season after suffering an torn Achilles in Europe, but Donovan is back from England to lead the Galaxy as they open their season Saturday night against the visiting New England Revolution.
Los Angeles missed the playoffs in its first two seasons after acquiring Beckham, and Donovan publicly criticized the midfielder's commitment before Beckham returned from his loan to AC Milan last summer.
But the two made amends, and Beckham came back to help the Galaxy (12-6-12) reach the MLS Cup. Los Angeles held a halftime lead before allowing Real Salt Lake to tie the game at 1 and win in penalties.
Now, the Galaxy's quest to return won't involve Beckham, who had surgery earlier this month and is expected to take about six months to recover, also forcing him to miss the World Cup.
"We're not going to change anything," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "We were going to be playing without him up until July, anyway. We won't need to be making any adjustments if he's not back in July."
Some of Los Angeles' players, however, seemed more concerned. Donovan called Beckham's absence "devastating."
"He's an important part to AC Milan, he's an important part to England and he's a vital part to us," Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein said. "On the field, the leadership, the quality he brings, you don't replace that."
Los Angeles still has a capable leader in Donovan, who won his first MVP award after finishing with 12 goals and six assists last season.
Donovan spent the offseason on loan with Everton of the English Premier League, bolstering his international reputation by scoring two goals with two assists in 13 appearances. Everton hoped to extend his stint with the club, but the Galaxy wanted him back for the start of the season.
"He's just a really smart player," Revolution defender Kevin Alston told his team's official Web site about Donovan. "He's fast, he's one of the fittest guys out there, he's very technical - he's just a good all-around player."
New England is very familiar with Donovan, who scored the MLS Goal of the Year during a 2-1 road win on Aug. 8, one of two victories against the Revolution in 2009.
He also helped the Galaxy beat New England in the 2005 MLS Cup, equaling the teams' result in the championship game from three years prior.
The Revs (11-10-9) were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Chicago for the second straight season last year, and their prospects may not be much brighter in 2010.
Captain Steve Ralston left via free agency, defender Jay Heaps retired and 2005 MLS MVP Taylor Twellman is still out with head and neck problems that limited him to two appearances last season. Twellman was originally injured in a collision with then-Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin in August 2008.
Revs goalie Matt Reis is expected to miss about two months after offseason surgeries, leaving Preston Burpo to fill in, but Alston said the high turnover in coach Steve Nicol's lineup may not be a bad thing.
"It's good that we have new faces," Alston said. "It's kind of like we feel refreshed. Everyone wants to get out there and make their mark and start the season off right."
New England's top active player is midfielder Shalrie Joseph, who had eight goals and eight assists last season and was a finalist in the MVP voting.
