Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber believes David Beckham's five-season stay in the United States has "delivered on all aspects" and says he hopes the former England captain remains in American soccer.
Beckham, 36, is gearing up for what could be his last match with LA Galaxy - the MLS Cup final against Houston Dynamo on November 20 - as his contract expires at the end of the month.
There has been no word yet from Beckham as to what his plans will be when the current deal comes to an end, though a move to Ligue 1 big spenders Paris St-Germain is believed to be the most likely option.
However, Garber - who played a major role in bringing Beckham to the USA from Real Madrid in 2007 - hopes that the veteran midfielder will still be playing in the MLS next season.
"I certainly hope to see him back,"Garber said. "David, (his personal manager) Simon Fuller and Tim Leiweke of (Galaxy owners) AEG will go through a process after the Cup to try to determine what David's future is but I certainly hope to have him back.
"David has delivered for us on all aspects of our expectations, both on and off the field. David had a terrific year this year. It would be hard to argue that he wasn't one of the most important players on our fields and really contributed to his team and to the league competitively.
"Off the field, he continues to be an important part of what drives some of the popularity of our league both here and around the world. He remains a very popular guy. His presence on the sports pages but also on the 'people pages' continues to grow as opposed to wane here in America and we benefit from that.
"MLS wouldn't be what it is today if David didn't decide to come and play in Major League Soccer. All of us appreciate everything that he has done."
Garber admitted Beckham's time at LA Galaxy has not all been plain sailing, with the former Manchester United star coming under plenty of criticism for travelling back to Europe for loan moves to AC Milan and international appearances with England, but stressed that the figures show his overall impact to have been extremely positive.
"It hasn't been perfect - I don't think any relationship is ever perfect, there were certainly some things we might have done a little differently - but all in all it has been really a big success," Garber said. "We measure David's success very quantitatively.
"Galaxy games on the road have our highest average attendance, with a few exceptions the LA Galaxy are our highest rated team on television, LA Galaxy kit sales are among the highest and without a doubt there is more attention for David off the sports pages than any other MLS player.
"I travel quite a bit outside of the United States on football-related business and people seem to ask about two things - when are the Cosmos coming into Major League Soccer and how is David Beckham doing?"
Beckham, 36, is gearing up for what could be his last match with LA Galaxy - the MLS Cup final against Houston Dynamo on November 20 - as his contract expires at the end of the month.
There has been no word yet from Beckham as to what his plans will be when the current deal comes to an end, though a move to Ligue 1 big spenders Paris St-Germain is believed to be the most likely option.
However, Garber - who played a major role in bringing Beckham to the USA from Real Madrid in 2007 - hopes that the veteran midfielder will still be playing in the MLS next season.
"I certainly hope to see him back,"Garber said. "David, (his personal manager) Simon Fuller and Tim Leiweke of (Galaxy owners) AEG will go through a process after the Cup to try to determine what David's future is but I certainly hope to have him back.
"David has delivered for us on all aspects of our expectations, both on and off the field. David had a terrific year this year. It would be hard to argue that he wasn't one of the most important players on our fields and really contributed to his team and to the league competitively.
"Off the field, he continues to be an important part of what drives some of the popularity of our league both here and around the world. He remains a very popular guy. His presence on the sports pages but also on the 'people pages' continues to grow as opposed to wane here in America and we benefit from that.
"MLS wouldn't be what it is today if David didn't decide to come and play in Major League Soccer. All of us appreciate everything that he has done."
Garber admitted Beckham's time at LA Galaxy has not all been plain sailing, with the former Manchester United star coming under plenty of criticism for travelling back to Europe for loan moves to AC Milan and international appearances with England, but stressed that the figures show his overall impact to have been extremely positive."It hasn't been perfect - I don't think any relationship is ever perfect, there were certainly some things we might have done a little differently - but all in all it has been really a big success," Garber said. "We measure David's success very quantitatively.
"Galaxy games on the road have our highest average attendance, with a few exceptions the LA Galaxy are our highest rated team on television, LA Galaxy kit sales are among the highest and without a doubt there is more attention for David off the sports pages than any other MLS player.
"I travel quite a bit outside of the United States on football-related business and people seem to ask about two things - when are the Cosmos coming into Major League Soccer and how is David Beckham doing?"
