Beckham backs out; Sounders FC might see him first in August

March 8, 6:26 PMSeattle Soccer ExaminerDavid Falk

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AC Milan English soccer star David Beckham waves to fans after a Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 8, 2009. The Los Angeles Galaxy announced late Saturday, March 7, 2009, that it had struck a 'multimillion dollar deal' to enable the former England captain to remain with the Italian Serie A club until the season ends, then return to the Galaxy in July. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

The soap opera that is the life of David Beckham has taken another turn as today it was announced the soccer 'diva' would stay in Italy and play with AC Milan until the conclusion of their season. This might well mean that the unloyal star will return to the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer for the first time this year when Seattle Sounders FC play in LA on August 15th. Beckham will miss the only Galaxy match at Qwest Field in Seattle on May 10th.

Despite telling a world-wide media audience "I’m really grateful to the LA Galaxy and AC Milan for making this dream deal happen, It allows me to play for AC Milan and the LA Galaxy in the same year, and also to continue my commitment to develop soccer in the United States, which is something I am passionate about," many fans see this as a slight on an American club and thus the American game.

Many Sounders FC fans are like many soccer fans in America, fed up with this under-producing drama king who can seem only to elevate his game amongst higher caliber players, not elevate lesser players around him to a higher skill. Beckham's second year in MLS saw his form slip from his first.

Prost Amerika Soccer writes: LA Galaxy are being resilient in the face of the public ridicule, trying to spin that this was a good deal. They do get a glamour friendly with Milan and some compensation but perhaps the Galaxy’s only relief is that they didn’t end up completely humiliated and empty handed.

The hardest thing to have done would be for Beckham to honor his American commitment. He chose to buy his way out and leave the American league to ponder how such deals might be avoided in the future.

For some Seattle soccer fans it will be a disappointment to not see Beckham in action at Qwest Field in 2009. His visit to Seattle in 2006 with Real Madrid drew a sell out crowd of 66,000. Beckham left Manchester United in 2003 the week the Red Devils were preparing to come to Seattle for a match against Celtic. The Qwest crowd taunted Manchester United with chants of "Where's your Beckham gone!"

Perhaps those chants will be recycled when the Galaxy come to Seattle on May 10th.

Are you disappointed Beckham won't visit Seattle this year? Are you upset at the way he has treated Major League Soccer? Leave your comments.