MLS: Beckham might play in America

David Beckham and Major League Soccer seem to be a match made in marketing heaven.

Sometime soon, perhaps in a year or two, maybe three or four, one of soccer's most famous players likely will be coming to America, injecting glamour and glitz into MLS and following the path created by Pele of Brazil and Franz Beckenbauer of Germany three decades ago.

"I want to play at the highest level for a few more years yet. I've got that planned out," Beckham said Thursday at England's World Cup training camp.

"Going to America is one of the ideas that I've thought of in the future."

Beckham exited the World Cup on Saturday, injured in the second half of England's loss to Portugal in a penalty-kick shootout. Beckham buried his face in his hands on the bench, and appeared to be in tears. He later sat on the ground, stretching out his leg with towels covering it.

Not exactly the picture of someone who is the epitome of the modern mix of celebrity and athlete. He has even had a movie named after him: "Bend it Like Beckham," released in 2002.

That he is a 31-year-old midfielder who plays for Real Madrid's "Galacticos" and the captain of England's national team is merely part of the equation. He is David Beckham Inc., a multinational corporation with links to Pepsi, Gillette, Motorola and Adidas.

"He's a cultural icon," said former U.S. player Alexi Lalas, president and general manager of the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy.

If he competed in MLS, Beckham probably would play for Los Angeles or the New York Red Bulls, where his profile would be the highest.

Beckham left Manchester United of the English Premier League in 2003 and has a four-year contract with Real Madrid that runs through the 2006-7 season.

Saturday's matches

At Revolution 3, Red Bulls 2

Clint Dempsey scored two goals, including the winner, as New England (5-4-6) edged New York (2-4-8) to increase its unbeaten streak to six matches.

Dempsey scored the winner in the 72nd minute when he picked off a Red Bulls pass, dribbled and placed a 22-yard shot past New York goalkeeper Tony Meola.

Red Bulls midfielder Youri Djorkaeff, 38, has left the team for personal reasons and will be out indefinitely, team officials said.

At Chivas USA 3, FC Dallas 0

Mexican defender Claudio Suarez scored two goals in his first match back from the World Cup as Chivas USA (6-5-4) beat Western Conference-leading FC Dallas (8-4-3) in Carson, Calif.

Rookie Jonathan Bornstein got his first career MLS goal, and Juan Pablo Garcia assisted on all three scores.

Suarez did not play in any of Mexico's four matches at the World Cup in Germany.

Galaxy 2, at Wizards 0

Landon Donovan scored in the 36th and 91st minutes to help Los Angeles (3-10-3) beat Kansas City (6-7-2) and snap a 10-match losing streak.

It was the first win for last-place Los Angeles under coach Frank Yallop, who replaced Steve Sampson on June 7. The Galaxy's previous victory was on April 29.