8 International Star Players Whom MLS Should Target Next

With David Beckham leaving Major League Soccer, the question has been repeatedly asked—who will be the next big player MLS brings over? While Beckham’s legacy has been thoroughly debated, there is no doubt that he transcends the game—not only here in America, but worldwide.So, replacing him may be impossible. The trick is to find players in the last year of their contracts (it is very unlikely MLS would shell out a substantive transfer fee) who are still viable AND can draw in the crowds. While there are very few, if any, players MLS could attract who are as popular as Beckham has been, here are eight players who can still get it done on the pitch and bring people to the games.Begin Slideshow

5 Who Contributed the Most to MLS History

Is it a good time to start a new conversation on the players who have had the greatest impact on MLS history? With another dramatic season concluded, and now facing six long, dark winter weeks before the SuperDraft gives us an excuse to ponder the next, what else would we do? The Christmas shopping can wait a little longer. Which players have had the greatest impacts on their teams and the league? This is a discussion of on-field contributions, and limited to MLS fields. If considering which MLS players went on to bigger careers in other leagues, the conversation would be altogether different. Likewise, if allowing for off-field factors, like which players had the largest impact on league rules and business models, this could be a one-slide slideshow. Given David Beckham's departure from the Galaxy side that captured the 2012 Cup, he’s been talked about enough. Candidates for the following slides were subjected to a rigorous, analytic point system. While not quite as complex (or geeky) as the college football Bowl Championship Series formula, it came close. Readers won’t be bored with details, but factors weighed included individual honors and team accomplishments, with bonus points awarded for when the two coincided. The analysis also included a “sanity check” to ensure ...

MLS Transfers: 6 Big-Name Stars Who Could Become Designated Players in 2013

MLS transfers have carried a different connotation since David Beckham’s arrival in 2007.It is now commonplace to have world-class players the likes of Kaká and Luís Fabiano linked to a potential move stateside. Unless you are a dedicated, die-hard fanatic of the league, the trades of Jamison Olave and Fabian Espindola just won’t do it for you.As we have seen in previous narratives, it’s the big name that moves the needle in sports. In MLS, that movement is triggered by the acquisition of a designated player. Try as you might, the definitive implications of Beckham’s arrival to MLS cannot yet be determined. The perceived success or failure of his tenure will be debated for years to come.  But the Beckham experiment already succeeded in this regard: Big-name talent is no longer absent from MLS. Every transfer window presents the opportunity to add another marquee player, but more importantly, another marquee name. If Beckham taught us anything, it’s that the name of the player is just as important as the talent he bears.  So from least-likely to most-likely, here are six big-name stars who could become designated players in 2013.Ronaldinho Club: Atletico Mineiro The Ronaldinho-to-MLS rumors have run rampant every transfer ...

MLS Playoffs 2012: Highs and Lows

The MLS playoffs were absolutely fantastic this year with plot line after plot line in each series. Both conferences featured some outstanding play in both the conference semifinals and finals, and the MLS Cup final on Saturday was a terrific game as well. Here are some of the highs and lows from this year’s playoff run.Begin Slideshow

David Beckham’s Time Spent in Los Angeles Must Be Seen as a Success

David Beckham concluded his career as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy with a second straight MLS Cup victory, and thus wraps up a successful first act from the iconic Becks. Of course we won't know for a few years if Beckham inspired a generation of youth to pursue soccer instead of football or basketball, but we do know he drew plenty of attention to a league often dwarfed by the NFL, NBA, MLB and even the NHL. This was Beckham following Saturday's 3-1 championship win over the Houston Dynamo (via The Washington Post):I just hope I've brought a bit of interest to the game in America. If that's the single thing I've done, then great.Beckham certainly accomplished what he set out to do nearly six years ago. He's sparked interest in the MLS and has given the league some legitimacy, considering that he was the most recognizable international superstar at the time of his 2007 decision to join the Galaxy.But he's not done yet. According to a report by The Associated Press via ESPN, Beckham "will play elsewhere in the new year before eventually returning to MLS as a team owner."Although it remains to be seen what sort of impact ...

Omar Gonzalez Steals Show in MLS Cup Final, Leads Los Angeles Galaxy to Title

David Beckham was the main attraction. Landon Donovan scored the winner. Robbie Keane put the champagne on ice.None of them had the impact of Omar Gonzalez.Saturday night's MLS Cup final played out on multiple levels as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-1 at the Home Depot Center for their second straight league championship. At once, it represented a rematch, a sendoff, a record-setting evening and a red-carpet premiere for a player who could be one of America's next big talents.And you thought it was just a soccer game.For the casual fan, the night served as one last chance to see Beckham—the man, the legend, the underpants—in the flesh. Almost six years after joining the Galaxy, Beckham played his final match for the team, and the hype machine nearly imploded on itself.For the dedicated fan, it was a chance to enjoy a grudge match, a rematch between the same teams that contested the 2011 final. The Galaxy won again, but only after the Houston Dynamo took a deserved first-half lead and threatened to ruin the previously scheduled SoCal Saturday night.For the record keepers, it was a busy night on multiple fronts. The Galaxy won a fourth MLS title—tied for ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Send David Beckham Out a Champion in MLS Cup Final (Video)

For our Set Piece Video of the Day for this first Sunday in December, we head to the land of Hollywood and happy endings.It wasn't technically Hollywood, of course, but on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., the Los Angeles Galaxy sent superstar David Beckham off into the sunset with a fairytale ending.After falling behind to Calen Carr's first-half goal, the Galaxy stormed back with three second-half goals to claim their second straight MLS Cup title. Omar Gonzalez equalized with a powerful header before Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane scored penalties to give the Galaxy a 3-1 Cup-clinching win.We still think Beckham should have taken the second penalty. It came in stoppage time, after all, and would have served as a perfect send-off for the former England captain.No matter. The win itself was enough.Now, as he leaves another club, we're detecting an intriguing pattern.When he left Manchester United in 2003, Beckham left as a league champion. When he left Real Madrid in 2007, Beckham left as a league champion. Saturday night made it a perfect 3-of-3, and it was hard not to feel good for Beckham. That's why we've posted the highlights from the match as ...

MLS Cup 2012: 4 Thoughts from the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Win

The L.A. Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-1 to win the 2012 MLS Cup on Saturday afternoon. On the strength of goals from Omar Gonzalez, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, the Galaxy were able to overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit with three unanswered goals in the second half and secure their second straight championship. Here are four thoughts from L.A.’s win.Begin Slideshow

David Beckham Goes out on Top as LA Galaxy Fight Back to Win MLS Cup

David Beckham has made a habit of going out on top.Beckham left Manchester United a Premier League winner in 2003, Real Madrid after conquering La Liga in 2007, and on Saturday night, he said goodbye to LA Galaxy with the MLS Cup triumph his legacy demanded.It was just one game, but the significance of Beckham winning a second title in MLS will loom large in the way his Galaxy quest is viewed in years to come.Two years ago, the most expensive import in the league's history was struggling to justify himself as a footballer. He stood accused of failing to deliver on both Galaxy's investment and the enormous hype that came with it.He could have walked, but Beckham was not going out that way. In 2011, he produced his best season in MLS and was hugely influential as Galaxy drove to the title. A year later he made it two in a row as Galaxy fought back to beat Houston Dynamo 3-1 at the Home Depot Center.In added time, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena withdrew his biggest star to take in the fulsome appreciation of a crowd that—in part at least—once doubted him. They don't doubt him anymore and neither should ...

MLS Cup 2012: Score, Grades and Highlights from LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo

Los Angeles Galaxy won its second MLS Cup in a row with a 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo.Houston had been playing well coming into the game, but it could not compete against the Galaxy and the California crowd.Calen Carr started the scoring for Houston with a goal just before the end of the first half in the 44th minute.He ran past Tommy Meyer and put the ball in the back of the net after an assist from Adam Moffat. The Galaxy then got an equalizer from Omar Gonzalez, as the defender put in a header in the 60th minute. Landon Donovan then put Los Angeles in front with a penalty kick only five minutes later. Although Houston had some chances, it was not able to come out on top. A Robbie Keane penalty kick sealed the win in extra time. Despite the fact that these two sides met in last year's MLS Cup, neither team was expected to be in the league's title match. Houston ended the MLS regular season as the No. 5 team in the Eastern Conference. At 53 points, the club was 10 points behind Kansas City for the division lead.Los Angeles was even further back of San Jose for the ...