David Beckham Retires

Legendary English soccer player David Beckham, who perhaps owns the most recognizable face on the planet, announced on May 16 that he’s going to retire at the end of the current season. Beckham currently plays for Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in France’s Ligue 1. The 38-year-old midfielder managed to win a league championship in four different countries recently when PSG won the French title. Beckham is under contract with the team until June and is donating his salary to a children’s charity.

Beckham said he thanks PSG for giving him the chance to continue his career this season after he left the Los Angeles Galaxy of North America’s Major League Soccer (MLS), but believes the time is right to hang up his boots. PSG has just two games remaining in the 2012/13 season. Beckham has now won league titles with Manchester United in England, Real Madrid in Spain as well as the Galaxy and PSG.

Beckham admitted that his career has been a dream come true since he had the opportunity to captain England’s national team and play for Manchester United, his favorite team as a child. Beckham played 115 games for England, which is a record for an outfield player and won several trophies with Manchester. He claims that being named the captain of his homeland was possibly the highlight of his long career and certainly one of his proudest moments in soccer. He added that he was honored to represent his country both on and off the soccer pitch.

David Beckham donates salary to charity after signing with Paris Saint Germain

Soccer superstar David Beckham, who may very well be the owner of the most famous face on the planet these days, announced on Jan. 31 that he’ll be resuming his career in France with Paris Saint Germain (PSG). The former England, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Milan, and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder has signed a short five-month deal and said he will be donating his wages to children’s charities.

Beckham left the Galaxy at the conclusion of the 2012 season after leading the club to its second consecutive MLS Cup. He had numerous offers from soccer teams all over the world, but the 37-year-old settled on PSG, which plays in the French Ligue 1, the country’s top tier of soccer. So far, his salary hasn’t been announced and neither has the charity or charities that will be receiving his generous gift, but it’s believed to be based in Paris.

Beckham has been quite successful at all of his clubs and has won championship medals with the Galaxy, Real Madrid, and Manchester United. He has always stated that he wouldn’t feel comfortable playing in the English Premier League with any other team than United and that’s perhaps why he didn’t resume his career in England. He’s spent the past six years with Los Angeles and the competition in France should certainly be a bit stronger.

Will Beckham's Departure Mean Decline in MLS Relevance?

How important was David Beckham to Major League Soccer?  Was he so big that the sport will suffer without him?

During the offseason, MLS has made almost no noise to get the attention of sports fans.  It's just crickets for MLS.  (Exception:  One huge credit goes to MLS for hosting Soccer night for Newtown, Ct. children.)

It seems every offseason, MLB, NFL and the NBA are making all kinds of moves and are somewhere in the media spotlight.  Whether it's baseball's winter meetings, football's rules committee or basketball free agency, something seems to always be going on for fans to relate to.

American Soccer fans have to be disappointed to have reached the end of the line with Beckham.  He was producing and he made a significant difference in attracting fans to MLS.

Mission Accomplished: Beckham is Pele's Equal.

So, what is there to look forward to in MLS, from a national standpoint?

David Beckham leads Los Angeles Galaxy to second straight MLS Cup win

David Beckham’s final season with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS) was arguably his best. Beckham scored seven goals and added nine assists this season and helped the club win its second consecutive MLS Cup. Beckham left the field for the last time in a Galaxy uniform on Dec. 1 after the team beat the Houston Dynamo 3-1 at Los Angeles’ Home Depot Center to wrap up the championship. The Galaxy also beat Houston last year to win the title. It was Los Angeles’ fourth league championship in eight cup final games, which equals a MLS record.

Beckham announced recently that he was leaving the team after this, his sixth season in MLS, and will be looking for a new adventure to finish off his career. There are numerous teams interested in his services and he’s been offered the chance to play in places such as China, Australia, France, Russia, and England. The 37-year-old former Manchester United, England, and Real Madrid midfielder said he would likely make up his mind by January at the latest.

The win over Houston took place in front of about 31,000 lively fans at the Galaxy’s home field. It was a back and forth affair which saw Los Angeles fight from behind to grab the victory. Houston had taken a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute when Calen Carr scored from the right side of the pitch after breaking free of Galaxy defenders. Houston came out n the second half looking to add to their lead, but Los Angeles turned the table on them in the 61st minute when defender Omar Gonzalez, the man of the match, scored n a header to tie the game 1-1.

Pigs will fly before David Beckham joins West Ham

Pigs will fly before David Beckham dons the claret and blue of West Ham United. Every transfer window, we get the usual baloney of the 'East End Boy' David Beckham, finishing his career at West Ham United Football Club. Frankly, its all a bit ridiculous, yet you get some fans almost frothing at the mouth at the prospect of this 38-year-old hasbeen joining us.

I've heard drivel like he would be a good 'ambassador' for the club, He would 'provide the crosses for Andy Carroll  ,with him on the one side and Matty Taylor on the other side enthused another supporter. Well...on the one side, you'd have someone who moves slower than a statue, in Beckham. On the other side you would have Taylor, who simply hasn't got the pace or skill to beat his man...thus, he is hardly ever in a position to deliver a dangerous cross.

In his PRIME, Beckham had no pace, couldn't beat his man, couldn't tackle or even head a ball. His sole attributes being, that he was good at dead ball situations from the right hand side of the pitch. Beckham, like the rest of the so called 'golden' generation, was great on hype ,but delivered precious little.