LA Galaxy view big picture on Beckham move

LOS ANGELES, Feb 3 (Reuters) Although the David Beckham factor has already given great impetus to US soccer, the longer-term picture is more important for Los Angeles Galaxy club president Alexi Lalas.

Former England captain Beckham, one of the most marketable sports figures in the world, will link up with the Major League Soccer (MLS) side at the end of this European season on a five-year deal worth 1 million dollars a week.

News of his impending move from Spanish giants Real Madrid made headlines across the globe last month and Lalas has urged the Galaxy to make the most of the opportunity.

''It's been unprecedented in terms of the positive impact that the signing of David Beckham has had on our organisation, on our league and on our sport already,'' Lalas told Reuters yesterday.

''From a purely business standpoint, we have sold thousands of tickets and there's been an international and domestic interest the likes of which we've never seen.'' Beckham, who will earn a total 250 million dollars over the five years financed heavily by endorsements, must complete the remaining six months of his contract at Real Madrid.

Asked whether he felt confident the Galaxy would gain value from Beckham's lucrative move, Lalas replied: ''Without a doubt.

''I have challenged all of us who work here, players and front office staff. I've told them all an incredible spotlight is going to be shown on our organisation, in a sense, an incredible gift.

STRONG BRAND ''Bottom line, what are we going to do with it? We have a responsibility to use it to our advantage so that when David Beckham's time with the Galaxy is done, we are not only a strong national brand but a strong international brand with additional credibility and respect and much healthier than we were when he started.'' The prospect of the Galaxy's Home Depot Center in Carson, California, being filled to capacity with 27,000 fans appeals greatly to Lalas.

''We are the premier organisation in the United States, on and off the field, and so we already have incredible support and we've already had a healthy and successful business to date,'' he said.

''But this has just made us that much stronger. We recognise there is this huge interest and that many people will be coming to our stadium for the first time.

''We recognise they will leave having got their David Beckham fix, which is important, but more importantly we hope they leave with a passion and a love for the Galaxy that will last well beyond David Beckham's time.'' The 31-year-old Englishman is certainly the biggest name to move to the U.S. since soccer greats Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff played here in the 1970s and early eighties.

Lalas felt it would be unfair, though, to make any comparisons between two very different eras with Pele and Beckenbauer having played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League.

MORE ADVANCED ''The reality is that David Beckham is coming into an American soccer culture that is so much more advanced than what Pele came into,'' he added.

''We are going into our 12th year of existence, we have hosted a World Cup, we have qualified for the past five World Cups and we have American players playing in the best leagues in the world.

''We also have American players that make up the majority of our league and our teams and all of that never existed when Pele came over.'' Lalas bridled at the notion that midfielder Beckham, approaching the twilight of his career, was heading for a soccer backwater.

''Had Beckham decided to go and play in Italy or go back to England, I don't think anyone would have said that,'' he said.

''The ignorance that exists with regard to soccer in the United States is alive and well and the arrogance that exists around the world with regard to the perceived great leagues around the world is also alive and well.

''The reality is, and I think this will become very apparent to David and the other players who may come to play here, is that we have great teams and we have great individuals,'' added the former United States international.

''I think it is insulting to all of us who have worked so hard to get our leagues where they are to say that a player can't come to MSL and cannot continue to learn and continue to develop and get the type of competition that he needs to develop, and to play at the highest levels.'' Reuters PM DB0902