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Garber: MLS no longer needs Beckham

ESPN staff
November 27, 2012
Don Garber feels the future is bright for the MLS even without David Beckham © PA Photos
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MLS commissioner Don Garber is confident the division will be able to cope without the presence of David Beckham, who this week missed out on being named in Major League Soccer's 2012 Best XI.

Beckham, 37, recently announced he will seek a new challenge in December after signing for Los Angeles Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007.

Ten purpose-built grounds have been constructed and seven teams have been added to the league since the former England captain's arrival.

Garber, though, is confident about the MLS' future, after seeing attendances up 25% between 2005 and 2012. He said: "We don't need anything today to get us to the next level.

"We needed David Beckham in 2007 to help drive our credibility, to help grow our popularity and to show the world, really, that the United States at that time - the US and Canada - was ready to support a division one league at the levels that it could be supported around the world."

On Monday, LA Galaxy pair Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane were named in Major League Soccer's 2012 Best XI, alongside New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry.

Major League Soccer's 2012 Best XI

Goalkeeper: Jimmy Nielsen, Sporting KC

Defenders: Victor Bernardez, San Jose. Matt Besler, Sporting KC. Aurelien Collin, Sporting KC.

Midfielders: Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle. Landon Donovan, Los Angeles. Chris Pontius, D.C. United. Graham Zusi, Sporting KC.

Strikers: Thierry Henry, New York. Robbie Keane, Los Angeles. Chris Wondolowski, San Jose.

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