LA Galaxy, Maybe Without David Beckham, To Play Friendly Vs. Melbourne Victory

The Los Angeles Galaxy will be returning to Australia. Who cares if they were just there last year. Who cares if they've been to the region four times in the last five years, twice playing in Australia and twice in New Zealand. Who cares if David Beckham might not be with the team. The Galaxy are going to Australia! I know, try to contain your excitement.

"We are very excited to be coming to the sports capital of Australia in Melbourne and are looking forward to playing against the Melbourne Victory in the Jeep Melbourne Challenge at the sensational Etihad Stadium," LA Galaxy President Tom Payne said. "We would like to thank Premier Bailleau and the State of Victoria for the kind invitation and Lou Sticca and Tribal Sports Management for arranging the Galaxy’s third visit to Australia."

The match is scheduled for December 6 or probably more helpful, 16 days after MLS Cup. It will be played at 53,000 seat Etihad Stadium and hopefully there is another match to accompany it because that is a long ways to travel for one match.

While friendlies after the season seem pointless (and are with the exception of a chance to make money, which is actually hardly pointless), this one is a good signal. It means one of two things.

1. The Galaxy very much expect to have Beckham back next year. His contract is up after the year and we all know he is the big draw so the Victory would only want to bring the Galaxy down if Becks was in the team, right? That means the Galaxy would have had to assure the Victory that Becks will be resigned.
2. The Galaxy are a big enough name (no doubt because of Beck's five years) and Landon Donovan, along with Robbie Keane, can make the Galaxy a draw in Australia even without Becks.