MLS' "Dream Scenario" Still Possible With Galaxy, Fire In Semis

Writer Calls Potential Galaxy-Fire MLS Cup Match-Up A "Dream Scenario" For League

It would be a "dream scenario" if this season's MLS Cup featured both Galaxy MF David Beckham and Fire MF Cuauhtemoc Blanco, according to ESPN CHICAGO’s Charlie Corr. The Galaxy and Fire both advanced to their respective conference finals, and having Beckham and Blanco in the championship game "simply would take the finale to another level." The two "best-known designated players also are the most marketable men in the league and the biggest game-day draws for a variety of reasons." It is “safe to say that the MLS Cup should draw incredible fanfare at Seattle's Qwest Field no matter who is playing,” but it will be hard to "escape the intrigue if these two highly tagged [designated players] meet" in the championship game (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 11/9). MLS Commissioner Don Garber yesterday wrote on his Twitter account, “27k in Houston. 27k in LA. 21k in Chicago this weekend. Two Conference Finals set” (TWITTER.com, 11/9).

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK: In N.Y., Jere Longman writes Beckham has “reinvented and reinvigorated himself just as he was being dismissed as an A-list celebrity and B-list soccer talent.” If Beckham’s MLS career “has not been a complete success, neither has it been the failure that is often portrayed.” His “elevated play helped the Galaxy reach the playoffs for the first time in four years,” and Galaxy F Landon Donovan said of Beckham, “I think he’s proud to be here now. That makes a big difference.” Garber said that Beckham “has exceeded original expectations.” Garber: “There’s probably nothing we could have done to elevate the stature and visibility of this league than having David Beckham playing for the Galaxy” (N.Y. TIMES, 11/10). However, in London, Oliver Kay notes with his “commitments to the Galaxy denying him the chance to win his 116th England cap against Brazil in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, Beckham can no longer beat” Peter Shilton’s record of 125 appearances for the England national team at next summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa (LONDON TIMES, 11/10).