MLS: Top 5 Consequences of a Potential Beckham Departure

It seems like it was just yesterday David Beckham graced our American television screens for the first time in an MLS uniform, injecting astronomical amounts of hope into the bloodstream of a somewhat small US Soccer fan base.And yet today, the MLS must finally accept the fact that the Beckham experiment is almost over and that the revolutionary legend could be out of the US sooner than any of us may like. With interest from European clubs such as Tottenham, PSG, and Leicester City, the odds of Beckham extending his MLS contract are looking slimmer every day.But how painful would the departure of Beckham be to the league that has invested so much into his presence? Here are the Top Five Consequences the MLS would face if such a departure occurred. Enjoy!Begin Slideshow

2011 MLS Power Rankings: Week 32

The 2011 Major League Soccer regular season is officially done and dusted. We now know who are the contenders for the postseason, and who is ready to make plans for next year after their campaigns went kaput.The Seattle Sounders take the top spot this week, while Sporting Kansas City emerges as the biggest threat in the East. Let's take a look at the penultimate MLS Power Rankings for this season.Begin Slideshow

Alessandro Del Piero and 20 Aging Stars Who Should Play For MLS

Major League Soccer a.k.a. retirement home for the aging European superstar.Check out the names—David Beckham, Thierry Henry, er…Robbie Keane. Hey! You know what we're talking about!Since its inception 15 years ago, MLS has evolved from a fragile start-up into a developing league full of young talent and aging stars.That's no knock on the league, it's just the way it is.First it was David Beckham and Thierry Henry. Now it could be Alessandro Del Piero.Who's next? We're glad you asked.If we ran world football, the aging stars on this list are who we'd want to bring to America.Begin Slideshow

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo: Analysis, Reaction and More

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy and Dominic Kinnear’s Houston Dynamo wrap up the 2011 Major League Soccer regular season on Sunday, October 23 when they clash at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Tex. (Kickoff: 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET, Galavision) This is likely to be a warm-up match for both the Galaxy and Dynamo, who have clinched berths to the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Galaxy come into the contest with a record of 19-4-10 (67 points) and have a chance to secure 70 points this season with a win. As for Houston, they are 11-9-13 (46 points) and with a win, could potentially gain a better wild-card seeding. Arena is likely to field a squad of fringe players to give them experience and preparation, while resting a number of key starters for the postseason. Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continued coverage of the 2011 Major League Soccer season and all things World Football.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

David Beckham Transfer Rumours: 10 Bold Predictions for Beckham’s Future

The speculation over David Beckham's future is getting more intense daily.With the MLS season nearing its end, Beckham is inching closer to the end of his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.And he is rumoured to be headed back to Europe after the MLS season.France's Paris St. Germain and England's Queens Park Rangers are the two clubs that have been linked most with a move for the former England captain.They're not the only ones, though.Apparently, Beckham has received 15 offers from clubs around the world, from England and France, to Brazil and the Middle East.But this isn't a news piece. We're not going to round up all the rumours for you here.Instead, this is going to be a rundown of 10 possible destinations for Beckham, ranked in order of how likely we think each scenario is.Some might seem obvious. Some might seem impossible.But as you already know, nothing is too crazy for the world football transfer market.Begin Slideshow

Watch David Beckham Get Laid Out: All the Hardest Tackles of His MLS Years

When the 2011 season comes to a close, David Beckham will be out of contract with the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer, amidst dozens of rumors of a return to Europe.I, for one, think the legendary midfielder deserves a tribute.But this isn't quite the sort of tribute that glorifies Beckham's greatest moments in a Galaxy jersey. This is more true to the nature of his stay in the United States (and perhaps more of a testament to our character in this country).These are David Beckham's greatest hits. Or, at least, the greatest (and hardest) hits he endured in his MLS years.To some, this will serve as evidence of the many reasons people believe the league will never reach a stature great enough to attract the world's top talent to come to America. It will lend credibility to the idea that the league is too dangerous and full of thugs for the truly magnificent players to ever respect Major League Soccer.For the rest of us: Sweet! Videos of David Beckham getting laid out!Begin Slideshow

New York Red Bulls Clinch Final MLS Playoff Spot with 1-0 Win over Philadelphia

Harrison, NJ—Playing their final regular season match of the 2011 MLS season, the New York Red Bulls clinched the final MLS playoff spot when they defeated the Philadelphia Union 1-0 in front of a sold out audience at Red Bull Arena on Thursday night. Playing without leading scorer Thierry Henry who was serving a suspension, the Red Bulls only goal was contributed by Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, who's own goal in the eighth minute gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead.In a sequence of plays Dax McCarty advanced the ball to Jan Gunnar Solli who then crossed to the center of the box where Dane Richards headed it.Initially, it appeared that Richards had successfully scored a goal but instant replay revealed that the ball had indeed bounced off the back of Mondragon and into the net. With the score remaining the same, the Red Bulls finished the regular season at 10-7-16. As a result, they are tied with the Colorado Rapids and the Houston Dynamo with 46 points. Based on goal differential, the Red Bulls currently hold the ninth spot over Houston, who has one more match remaining. Depending on this weekend's outcome of MLS matches, New York will enter the postseason as either the ...

Fancy Footwork: 5 Amazing Soccer Goals — Have Clips, Will Tailgate Episode 35

Have Clips, Will Tailgate is a daily web clip show featuring the coolest guys in tailgating talking about the hottest clips in sports.Today, Weston, Rollin and Matt break down five truly amazing soccer goals. From Ronaldo's crazy footwork to Brian Ching's ridiculous bicycle kick, these plays have to be seen to be believed.Thanks for watching. Be sure to come back daily to check out the newest tailgate location.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Club Deportivo Motagua: Analysis, Reaction and More

For Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy, it’s win or go home as they take on Club Deportivo Motagua at the Estadio Nacional on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 in the final match of the CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage. Currently, the Galaxy sit in third place with a record of 3-2-0 (nine points), but a win over Motagua will see the Galaxy leapfrog ahead of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, who sit in second. Both La Liga and already-qualified Monarcas Morelia sit in the top two spots with 4-2 records (12 points). As for Club Depottivo Motagua, they are in a free fall. Having sacked their manager Ramon Maradiaga in favor of Mexican Jose Trevino, the Blue Eagles will look to play spoiler in what is sure to be a wet playing surface hit hard by the likes of Hurricane Jova. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel. Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the CONCACAF Champions League.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

LA Galaxy Keep It in Cruise Control for Chivas USA Win, All Eyes Now on Motagua

Another Game, another three points for MLS regular season champs LA Galaxy. The Galaxy came into this game having already clinched the MLS Supporters’ Shield due to Seattle suffering a loss a few days earlier to FC Dallas. The starting XI Bruce Arena chose reflected his desire to pursue the CONCACAF Champions League advancement, resting Landon Donovan, Donovan Ricketts, as well as the early second half substitution of Juninho, whom he told that he would be needed later that week when they travel to Honduras. The Galaxy came out in the 4-4-2 formation with Josh Saunders starting in goal, AJ Delagarza playing Right Back, Omar Gonzalez teaming up in Central Defense with Gregg Berhalter who came back from injury to play his last career regular season game, Todd Dunivant started his normal Left Back spot, Juninho and David Beckham played Central Midfield, Paolo Cardozo and Mike Magee who is returning from injury switched Wing midfield positions throughout the game, and The two point men Arena selected were Chad Barrett and Adam Cristman; due to the injury of Robbie Keane and the continued absence of Donovan. The Galaxy Offense came out the gates strong against cross locker room rivals Chivas USA, ...