CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy fans aren’t the only ones hoping David Beckham eventually exercises his ownership clause with the team he’ll leave behind after MLS Cup 2012.
Bruce Arena and Landon Donovan seem to think it’d be a good idea, too.
“We’d love to see David remain in some capacity with the Galaxy,” Arena said at Friday’s final press conference ahead of the big game. “That’s obviously up to David and our ownership group. Hopefully that’s something that can be worked out down the road.”
Beckham will play his final game as a member of the Galaxy on Saturday (4:30 pm ET, ESPN, TeleFutura, TSN/RDS in Canada, live chat on MLSsoccer.com), after which he will move on to an as-yet unidentified “new challenge” that he’ll announce sometime around Christmas.
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But down the road, he says he’ll take advantage of the stipulation in his contract with Major League Soccer that allows him to buy into a franchise at a discounted rate. On Thursday, he told reporters that wouldn’t be with the New York Cosmos of the NASL, who have eyes on becoming MLS’ 20th franchise.
That he’d eventually buy into the Galaxy would seem to be an obvious solution, given that the club’s owner, AEG, is up for sale. Even Commissioner Don Garber said in his State of the League address that that eventuality was a good option.
And there’s an even better reason that’s a good fit, according to Landon Donovan.
“When he has something to say or he has input [within the locker room and the club], it’s valued,” LA’s captain added at Friday’s press conference, “and what you guys see from week to week is one part. But what he’s meant to this team on the inside has been fantastic, and we’re very grateful for him.”
