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Galaxy honour David Beckham on MLS opening day
LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Major League Soccer kicked off a new
season on Saturday with 10 games and a tribute to football great David
Beckham whose arrival in 2007 helped usher in a new era for the then upstart
league.
A statue of the former England captain was unveiled by the LA Galaxy
outside their stadium in an emotional ceremony prior to their 2-1 victory
over the Chicago Fire.
Beckham’s former Galaxy coach Bruce Arena and teammate Robbie Keane, as
well as Beckham’s wife, Victoria, attended the ceremony.
“From day one when myself, Victoria, and the kids arrived in this city we
felt at home and for that we will be forever grateful,” said Beckham, who is
set to become an MLS club owner when expansion side Inter Miami joins the
league.
“This city has always felt like home for me. My wife, my kids, my parents,
and my friends, I couldn’t have had the career I had without the support from
you guys.”
Beckham made headlines around the world when he moved to the United States
in 2007 after an illustrious career at Manchester United and Real Madrid.
His Galaxy deal was widely reported to be for $250 million over five years,
but in reality the $250 million figure was his potential earnings from
salary, endorsements and club revenue.
His base salary was $6.5 million a year but he was promised a percentage of
Galaxy revenues.
Beckham played for the Galaxy until 2012, taking league titles in his final
two campaigns, during a career that also featured a stop with England’s
national team.
“He wasn’t one of the fastest players on the field, nor did he score many
goals,” Arena said. “He was an outstanding passer and a great free-kick
specialist.
“He was an intelligent and skillful player. He was simply a great leader
and a winner.”
Said former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, “the impact he had on the
sport here in America can’t be overstated. He was the first true big name to
come to the States.”
Beckham helped pave the way for European star players to follow and so it
was fitting that Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on a late header Saturday to lift
the Galaxy to a season-opening win over the Fire.
Ibrahimovic, who was second in MLS last season with 22 goals in his debut
campaign, rushed in to put his header past Fire goalkeeper David Ousted in
the 80th minute.
“We are not 100 percent but we worked to get our first three points,” said
Ibrahimovic.
– Cincy debut –
Elsewhere, Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley’s brace lifted the Canadian
side to a 3-1 victory at Philadelphia in the opening game of the season.
The 31-year-old US midfielder found the goal three minutes into first half
stoppage time and again in the 62nd to put Toronto on top.
Mexico’s Marco Fabian answered for the Union in the 73rd minute but US
midfielder Nick DeLeon sealed Toronto’s victory three minutes into stoppage
time.
Opening day also featured the debut of expansion squad FC Cincinnati, who
lost their inaugural game 4-1 to the Seattle Sounders.
It is the second straight season that Seattle has hosted an expansion team
in the season opener. Last year they faced Los Angeles FC and suffered a 1-0
loss.
There was no repeat performance as Cincinnati were no match for the
Sounders.
Three other early matches ended in draws with FC Dallas and the New England
Revolution deadlocked 1-1, Orlando City and New York City level 2-2 and the
New York Red Bulls finishing 1-1 with the Columbus Crew.
MLS Cup champions Atlanta, with a new manager and without star Miguel
Almiron who decamped to Newcastle United in January, open their campaign on
Sunday against Wayne Rooney and D.C. United.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1315 hrs