Luis Arroyave of the Chicago Tribune takes a look at what David Beckham and Cuauhtemoc Blanco have brought to their teams and to MLS this season ahead of their potentially crucial head-to-head clash at Toyota Park this weekend. We say “potentially crucial” because the L.A. Galaxy has to beat New York on Thursday to retain a shot at the post-season. If it does, then Sunday’s battle will be for all the playoff marbles; L.A. would likely need a win to advance, while Chicago would need a draw or a win.
So whom would you rather have on your team, Beckham or Blanco? Blanco, of course, has done far more for his team stats-wise, notching four goals and six assists in 13 games, but Becks only played three regular-season games before bowing out to injury. Arroyave adds that given Beckham’s salary ($6.5 million), Blanco, at $2.67 million per year, has already proven to be “more bang for your buck.” Becks, of course, takes the edge in categories like marketability, signature play (his free kicks beat Blanco’s bizarre, bouncing “Cuauhtemina” move), and pedigree (former England captain, two-time World Player of the Year runner-up, six English League titles, a La Liga title and one Champions League).
However, Blanco wins this one because the Fire’s resurgence has been all about his timely goals and playmaking ability. Out with a knee injury, Becks has no part in the Galaxy’s remarkable playoff surge, during which the team has won five games in a row.