Tickets Sold

Beckham said he would join the Galaxy after his contract with Real Madrid expires June 30. That was clouded by Saturday's statement from Madrid manager Fabio Capello that the Englishman would train but no longer play for the team.

If Madrid releases him early, Beckham might be available when the Galaxy begin their season April 8 at the defending champion Houston Dynamo. Los Angeles plays its first home game four days later against the New York Red Bulls.

Dynamo sales and marketing senior vice president Steve Powell said Houston's season-ticket sales saw a 200 percent jump last week from the previous week despite confusion surrounding Beckham's arrival.

Only the dates of the home openers of the 13 clubs have been announced. The full 32-game schedule won't be out until early February. MLS teams averaged 15,504 last season.

D.C. United spokesman Doug Hicks said the four-time MLS champions sold 300 season tickets last week, which was "a little above normal," and FC Dallas said it sold 115 on Thursday and Friday.

"Basically the phones were ringing off the hook," FC Dallas spokesman German Sferra said.

Copyright © 2006 SoccerSporting.com                  Powered by Engineer Partner one stop outsource