Tuesday 8 September 2015 18:24, UK
MLS Commissioner Don Garber says former England captain David Beckham was pivotal to the league's recent growth.
In a wide ranging interview on Sky Sports News HQ, Garber says he feels Beckham laid the foundations for top players to join Major League Soccer when he joined LA Galaxy in 2007 to become the league's first Designated player.
"I don't think we'd be where we are today, where guys like David Villa, Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Giovinco would even be in our league, if it wasn't for David," said the Commissioner.
"In 2007, he said 'the Yanks kind of get this game, it is OK for players who have been on the world stage to come and grow the game in the States'. He did it, and here we are today with so many great players, and great American players in our league and David kind of fired the first shot."
David Beckham told Sky Sports News HQ that he was optimistic over the progress of establishing an MLS franchise in Miami, and Garber shares his optimism in ensuring a successful expansion.
"You guys know David better than we do in the States," Garber explained.
"He's enormously passionate about our league, about the sport, and really loves our country and wants to put roots down and become an owner. So many players want to go up from the field to the boardroom and David's been wanting to that for a long time.
"David just had an announcement the other day that they are settled on a site where the old Orange Bowl was. It's where a baseball team called the Florida Marlins play today. They're trying to get access to that land. I think we will be able to go forward with David and his partners in Miami.
"We're going to continue to work hard. No news there. But we love David, we love the city of Miami and we hope that we can get a deal done."
