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Beckham, Gallardo meet again

By John Haydon (Contact) | Sunday, June 29, 2008

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It will be a high-noon meeting Sunday at RFK Stadium for two of Major League Soccer's big-money players.

David Beckham and Marcelo Gallardo, both veterans of a memorable 1998 World Cup final game between arch rivals England and Argentina, face each other when the Los Angeles Galaxy visit RFK Stadium. Not long ago, it would have been hard to imagine such talent meeting on an American soccer field.

Beckham and Gallardo are products of MLS' designated player rule that has added spice to the 13-year-old league.

“It's been very positive so far,” Beckham said of his experience with Los Angeles. “Every stadium we have gone to we are selling out. ... We are trying to get up there with all the other sports in the U.S.”

With the United States noted as a graveyard for soccer leagues, MLS kept a tight-fisted financial grip over expenses from the league's inception in 1996. MLS controlled all player signings and restricted teams to a $1.7 million salary cap.

Last year, the league's “single-entity” concept cracked, allowing the money to flow. The seismic event was Beckham's signing under a new rule that allowed teams to buy high-profile players with only a portion of their salaries counting against the team cap.

After Beckham's five-year $250 million deal (including marketing) with the Galaxy, more designated players came on board. Premier League stars Juan Pablo Angel and Claudio Reyna arrived at the Red Bulls. Mexican ace Cuauhtemoc Blanco joined the Chicago Fire, while FC Dallas spent $1 million on Brazilian Denilson.

D.C. United got into the act this season, forking out $1.8 million a year for Gallardo a former Argentine national team star, and then upped 2007 MVP Luciano Emilio into the designated player category in May.

Gallardo and Beckham, both key playmakers at their clubs, are two of the league's most exciting players.

The two midfielders will forever be linked to the 1998 World Cup clash between England and Argentina in France. Beckham received a red card in the 47th minute of the game. Gallardo came on for Argentina as a 68th minute substitute and scored one of the penalties in the shootout, after the game was tied 2-2 in regulation.