Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis says MLS can survive the departure of David Beckham. As AC Milan continue to haggle with LA Galaxy over a fee for the England midfielder, Gazidis, the former MLS Deputy Commissioner, told mlsnet.com: "I think it's interesting when MLS signed David Beckham everyone was saying it was because he had nothing left to contribute," Gazidis said. "Now we have the English national team and AC Milan, one of the world's great teams, who would love to have his services. I guess MLS just cannot win."

But, as Gazidis quickly pointed out, MLS has survived with and without Beckham, and will continue to do so.

"MLS is not the David Beckham league," he said. "Its success has been built through slow and steady growth of a strong and committed investor group over a long period of time. Whatever the resolution is of the David Beckham situation, and right now it looks like he's coming back to the States, the fundamentals of the league remain the same -- very strong with great prospects."