Beckham In America: MLS Opponents Looking To Benefit

DC United Hoping To Play Galaxy In Late Summer

The Galaxy make just one visit per season to each of MLS’ seven Eastern Conference teams, and the league “is trying to find a way to schedule every [Galaxy] eastern trip after [Beckham’s] arrival” this summer, according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. United President Kevin Payne said that he has “had discussions with the league and ESPN ... about scheduling a United-Galaxy game at RFK Stadium late in the summer” (WASHINGTON POST, 1/12).

SALES BUMP IN TORONTO: In Toronto, Dean McNulty said Toronto FC, MLS’ newest franchise, “sold more than 300 season tickets” Thursday on the news of David Beckham’s five-year, $250M deal to play for the Galaxy. The “next step” for Toronto FC is “to pressure MLS into scheduling the Galaxy in Toronto this summer after Beckham arrives” (TORONTO SUN, 1/12). MLSE VP & COO Tom Anselmi said Toronto FC “had over 500 calls” about tickets yesterday (REUTERS, 1/11). But Toronto FC Communications & PR Manager Michelle Lissel said during the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Convention in Indianapolis Thursday night, “I think we sold something like six-hundred season tickets alone in one day” (Fox Soccer Channel, 1/12). Anselmi “thinks [the Galaxy] will visit Toronto late in the season, but he isn’t sure.” Anselmi said the Galaxy are “going to be a better team and they’re going to sell tickets in whatever city they’re in” (TORONTO STAR, 1/12).

EVERYONE BENEFITS: Jonathan Wexler, VP/Sales & Marketing for Denver-based talent agency Playing Field Promotions, said, “Everywhere [the Galaxy] plays is probably going to be close to a sellout because people are going to want to see Beckham” (BOSTON HERALD, 1/12). Dynamo President Oliver Luck said, “We can develop a number of fans who’ve been on the sidelines because [MLS] got a guy like David Beckham. ... If (Thursday) is any indication from the number of phone calls we got, it’s safe to say that when the Galaxy comes to Houston with Beckham, we’ll sell out Robertson Stadium” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/12). In Chicago, Luis Arroyave reports despite the ’07 schedule not yet finalized, calls “already were coming in to the Fire’s ... office Thursday regarding Beckham’s Toyota Park debut” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/12).