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Canales Daily: Promises, Promises
David Beckham and Landon Donovan have combined for numerous goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy - but their time with the team could be nearing an end, regardless of what administrators say.
Nov 19, 2008 10:05:44 AM
By Andrea Canales
At an exclusive meeting for Galaxy ticket holders, Tim Leiweke, the right-hand man of Galaxy owner Phil Anschutz, appeared to answer the questions of the fans who, financially at least, invest the most in the Los Angeles team.
Obviously, these supporters had a right to be upset with the team's current path. Once famous for never missing the playoffs, the Galaxy now have three strikes in a row against them on that count.
What these fans wanted was answers about the team's future, and especially, an honest response to one crucial question: Would David Beckham and Landon Donovan leave the team?
It wasn't a paranoid query. Despite the Galaxy's tough season, Donovan had won Major League Soccer's Golden Boot and become the U.S. team's all-time leading goalscorer. Those achievements and video of the skill that generated the accomplishments made interest from teams abroad a likely possibility. Donovan, for once, was welcoming the option to play in Europe, making it clear to the media that he wished to test himself in another league.
Beckham, meanwhile, had arranged a deal to play with Italian giants A.C. Milan. Though he was ostensibly going for a loan, Milan made no secret of the interest to retain Beckham.
Leiweke went out of his way to make one thing clear at the Galaxy season-ticket meeting - wherever they trialed or trained, Landon Donovan and David Beckham would be back with the Galaxy for the start of the 2009 season.
There is some credibility in Leiweke's word - after all, he made the Beckham to Galaxy deal in the first place, although many around the world had bet against it ever happening.
However, Leiweke also offerred assurances that the Galaxy would turn their free-fall around, but that hasn't happened yet.
Mostly though, Leiweke's statement seemed to defy logic. If Donovan's talent, which Galaxy fans were well aware of, was of a caliber to attract interest from big clubs, would the Galaxy refuse to sell him or set a price so high as to make his move impossible? Did Leiweke's promise imply such a thing? What if David Beckham wished to buy out his own contract, especially since he has an opt-out clause after 2009?
The words of Leiweke were echoed by Galaxy coach Bruce Arena later to the press, "I have every confidence that Landon Donovan and David Beckham will be here to start our season next year."
The thing is, everyone should understand that where things start isn't where they finish. By the end of next season, both players could be gone.
Donovan's training/trial with Bayern Munich basically gives the German team a jump on assessing his services. What many don't realize, when they stack up Donovan against the team's current strikers, is that more than a few have contracts set to expire. Munich could easily take a look at Donovan now, then make a move for him during the summer transfer window when they might actually need him.
So starting the season with the Galaxy doesn't mean seeing the year out.
Still, it doesn't seem like too much of a threat of Donovan disappearing, if Munich is the only option. The German team probably will consider a large number of players and the American striker/midfielder could slip off their radar.
Donovan can be as deliberate with his words as Leiweke. He has repeatedly said that he would love to join a team like Bayern - or to go elsewhere in Europe. It defies logic that scouts in other countries have not noticed the American as a possibility. Though Donovan speaks German, he also manages quite well in Spanish, and that league has long stood out as one that seems to fit his skillset in an ideal manner. Donovan has also expressed a wish to play in England and would have, years ago, if a change in FIFA's transfer window had not scuttled a Portsmouth loan. I'd wager Donovan's agent is looking at a few of those options at present.
For his part, Beckham hasn't had the excited pioneer energy he did when first arriving to Major League Soccer for some time. The coaching whirlwind at the Galaxy has no doubt worn him down, as has the extended distance for travel, but more so the losing and the implied blame behind it. If he is enthusiastic about extending his tenure in Los Angeles, he isn't showing it yet.
Technically, Leiweke's assurances that both stars will start the season could be very valid. What those Galaxy season tickets may turn out to be is primo seats to the Donovan/Beckham farewell tour.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com USA
At an exclusive meeting for Galaxy ticket holders, Tim Leiweke, the right-hand man of Galaxy owner Phil Anschutz, appeared to answer the questions of the fans who, financially at least, invest the most in the Los Angeles team.
Obviously, these supporters had a right to be upset with the team's current path. Once famous for never missing the playoffs, the Galaxy now have three strikes in a row against them on that count.
What these fans wanted was answers about the team's future, and especially, an honest response to one crucial question: Would David Beckham and Landon Donovan leave the team?
It wasn't a paranoid query. Despite the Galaxy's tough season, Donovan had won Major League Soccer's Golden Boot and become the U.S. team's all-time leading goalscorer. Those achievements and video of the skill that generated the accomplishments made interest from teams abroad a likely possibility. Donovan, for once, was welcoming the option to play in Europe, making it clear to the media that he wished to test himself in another league.
Beckham, meanwhile, had arranged a deal to play with Italian giants A.C. Milan. Though he was ostensibly going for a loan, Milan made no secret of the interest to retain Beckham.
Leiweke went out of his way to make one thing clear at the Galaxy season-ticket meeting - wherever they trialed or trained, Landon Donovan and David Beckham would be back with the Galaxy for the start of the 2009 season.
There is some credibility in Leiweke's word - after all, he made the Beckham to Galaxy deal in the first place, although many around the world had bet against it ever happening.
However, Leiweke also offerred assurances that the Galaxy would turn their free-fall around, but that hasn't happened yet.
Mostly though, Leiweke's statement seemed to defy logic. If Donovan's talent, which Galaxy fans were well aware of, was of a caliber to attract interest from big clubs, would the Galaxy refuse to sell him or set a price so high as to make his move impossible? Did Leiweke's promise imply such a thing? What if David Beckham wished to buy out his own contract, especially since he has an opt-out clause after 2009?
The words of Leiweke were echoed by Galaxy coach Bruce Arena later to the press, "I have every confidence that Landon Donovan and David Beckham will be here to start our season next year."
The thing is, everyone should understand that where things start isn't where they finish. By the end of next season, both players could be gone.
Donovan's training/trial with Bayern Munich basically gives the German team a jump on assessing his services. What many don't realize, when they stack up Donovan against the team's current strikers, is that more than a few have contracts set to expire. Munich could easily take a look at Donovan now, then make a move for him during the summer transfer window when they might actually need him.
So starting the season with the Galaxy doesn't mean seeing the year out.
Still, it doesn't seem like too much of a threat of Donovan disappearing, if Munich is the only option. The German team probably will consider a large number of players and the American striker/midfielder could slip off their radar.
Donovan can be as deliberate with his words as Leiweke. He has repeatedly said that he would love to join a team like Bayern - or to go elsewhere in Europe. It defies logic that scouts in other countries have not noticed the American as a possibility. Though Donovan speaks German, he also manages quite well in Spanish, and that league has long stood out as one that seems to fit his skillset in an ideal manner. Donovan has also expressed a wish to play in England and would have, years ago, if a change in FIFA's transfer window had not scuttled a Portsmouth loan. I'd wager Donovan's agent is looking at a few of those options at present.
For his part, Beckham hasn't had the excited pioneer energy he did when first arriving to Major League Soccer for some time. The coaching whirlwind at the Galaxy has no doubt worn him down, as has the extended distance for travel, but more so the losing and the implied blame behind it. If he is enthusiastic about extending his tenure in Los Angeles, he isn't showing it yet.
Technically, Leiweke's assurances that both stars will start the season could be very valid. What those Galaxy season tickets may turn out to be is primo seats to the Donovan/Beckham farewell tour.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com USA
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