Now that it is official – David Beckham is staying with AC Milan for the rest of the Serie A campaign – it's time to start looking into whether or not this was a monumental two years for Major League Soccer, or if it was an epic failure.
I vote that it is too early to determine which term to use to describe the ultimate impact for Major League Soccer.
The league benefited with a TV deal, exposure in non-soccer (and non-sports) media and a buzz around league games that hasn't been felt by a lay person since the league was formed.
Of course the league ended up with a superstar playing for the worst team in the league the past two seasons and end up looking powerless as Goldenballs put the league in a spot that it couldn't win.
In fact, I think the one thing we can be certain that we learned during this whole charade – is that David Beckham does indeed only care about one thing – David Beckham.
Mr. Posh Spice came to America with a promise to help build soccer here in the U.S. Tom Cruise's good buddy said all the right things – those of us in love with the sport may have even bought into his lines about being the catalyst in making the sport bigger in America than it ever has before.
In reality, Becks came to America looking to build only one thing – Brand Beckham.
Instead of playing regular season matches, Beckham asked – and was granted permission – to go play meaningless friendlies for England as he chased history in his home country.
This led to an injury-tainted first season that left the Beckham effect lingering behind like Derby County in the Premier League last season – it never had a chance.
By the time Beckham was healthy enough to play for the Galaxy full time, America had moved on. Goldenballs games were now competing with March Madness, the beginning of baseball season and the playoffs in the NBA. Plus, his team was terrible.
Add in David Beckham looking to leave at the first chance he got – and always keeping his eye back on Europe instead of the club he was contractually obligated to play for.
When the season ended, Beckham asked – and was granted permission – to try to catch on elsewhere to stay match fit for potential England ties. AC Milan picked him up and the man who couldn't wait to change "soccer" in America, was suddenly publicly begging for a permanent move to Italy.
Major League Soccer was then left in a bind. Do you bring back one of the biggest names in the sport just because you want to take advantage of that name. Seriously, having Becks come back after his summer tryst would be like Rihanna taking Chris Brown back after he allegedly smacked her silly before the Grammys.
Oh wait – she did take him back? Really? They're reportedly married?!?
Wow.
Instead, Major League Soccer played hardball and now they will get Mr. Posh back – when Milan's season is over – and he will, in theory, return to play out the season with the Galaxy before he is contractually allowed to leave after the season is over.
Because that's what you want – a player not only openly looking to his future away from your club, but a player that is still likely the signature star of your league.
Then maybe we can calculate the effect that Goldenballs had on Major League Soccer.
Do non-sports watching women now know that there is a professional soccer league in America because David Beckham plays here? Oh yes. But will they watch?
You're more likely to catch me watching Grey's Anatomy than catching them watching Columbus and Seattle battle it out in the middle of the season.
And in the end we may learn that it wasn't about the TMZs and Inside Editions in this country – and that the folks that benefited most are Major League Soccer fans themselves, who now at least get to catch more league action on TV than BB (Before Becks) and that might be what makes this whole Beckham saga worthwhile.
I can at least hope, right?