David Beckham reaches crossroads as Galaxy enter playoffs – USATODAY.com

"It takes awhile to get the muscles warmed up," Beckham said with a smile. "A cup of coffee and I'm ready to go. I've had some injuries, but I've recovered well and I feel great now."

At 36, one of the most recognizable faces in professional sports has a few more wrinkles and aches since he began playing with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

When he signed a record five-year contract worth $32.5 million, he spoke of changing the sport in the USA— improving the level of play in Major League Soccer and growing the game nationally.

Great expectations, but like every good Dickens novel, Beckham's five years in America have been rife with drama, including injuries, trade rumors and mediocre play.

Beckham has a chance to bury the disappointments as the Galaxy target their first MLS Cup title since his arrival (wild-card playoffs begin Wednesday; the Galaxy play Sunday). If he doesn't re-sign with the team — and there's little indication he will — it could be his last chance to leave an indelible mark on American soccer.

"We've had successes winning the league and our conference, but it's not enough," Beckham said in an interview with USA TODAY. "I want a championship — simple as that. To be successful with the Galaxy, I have to win one."

With Beckham playing a pivotal role, the Galaxy are 19-5-10. Los Angeles has claimed a second consecutive best record in the regular season, earning home-field advantage for the playoffs.

"People are going to look back to the Beckham years and be in awe of what he brought to this team and this league," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said.

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Healthy and playing his first complete season with the Galaxy since 2008, Beckham has 15 assists and two goals — easily his best performance in MLS.

"I'm pleased that David's first year where he was 100% focused on MLS has also been his best year," Commissioner Don Garber said.

But Beckham's early tenure with the Galaxy was less than inspiring. The team failed to make the playoffs in his first two seasons, and in 2008 coach Ruud Gullit resigned and general manager Alexi Lalas was fired.

By Dan Kitwood, Getty Images

Beckham and wife Victoria arrive at the royal wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29 in London.

Beckham was blasted by fans for leaving to play for Italian giant A.C. Milan in 2008. Galaxy teammate and U.S. national team star Landon Donovan added his criticism with comments in Grant Wahl's 2009 book The Beckham Experiment.

"All that we care about at a minimum is that (Beckham) committed himself to us," Donovan said in the book. "As time has gone on, that has not proven to be the case in many ways — on the field, off the field."

Arena, the former U.S. national team coach who won two MLS Cups with D.C. United, stepped in to calm the tumultuous locker room.

For their part, Beckham and Donovan appear to have settled their differences.

"There were some difficult times for sure," Donovan said. "But it doesn't mean he wasn't committed. It takes time for a player like him to adapt."

Added Beckham: "I've got on well with Landon. He had a few issues which he announced, but we got over that pretty quick, and things have moved on. We click well on the field and off."

In 2009, after helping the Galaxy to their only MLS Cup final since he arrived, Beckham again returned to Milan and suffered a torn Achilles tendon. He made seven MLS appearances for Los Angeles in 2010.

Said Donovan, the Galaxy's all-time leading scorer: "David learned a lot in his first four years here. He's taking all of that and applying it this year."

Presence boosts MLS

Beckham's on-field performance this year has helped the Galaxy produce their best record since his arrival. His off-field appeal is equally significant.

"Beckham played his role in 2007 and served as a catalyst for expansion and fan interest," said former MLS player Josh Keller, managing director for 11 Sports Media, a soccer marketing firm whose clients include Boost Mobile and Red Bull. "The league is certainly in a much stronger position now than it was five years ago, and Beckham's presence helped achieve the sustainability we see today."

MLS signed a TV deal with NBC in August. Since 2007, the league has added seven teams and nine new stadiums.

Beckham's popularity has translated into increased interest for Galaxy games. In five years with Beckham, they've averaged 23,008 fans at The Home Depot Center, an increase of more than 10% from 2006. When they play on the road, average attendance is 23,600, an increase of 16% from 2006.

The team will not disclose total season-ticket sales. However, a 2007 Bloomberg report found the Galaxy sold an additional 7,000 season tickets in Beckham's first season, translating into $4.9 million of new revenue. That year, the team raised the price of premium season tickets by 48%, which generated an additional $800,000, according to Bloomberg.

"He absolutely made (the Galaxy) a topic of conversation here and internationally," said Tim Leiweke, president of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which owns the Galaxy. "He absolutely did a phenomenal job in recruiting players like Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane. If you look at the style of play and level of play and the success our teams are having internationally, I believe he gets a lot of credit for pushing us as a league to create a higher style of play."

Beckham has been featured on soccer fields and tabloids across Europe since bursting on the scene in the early 1990s. After unprecedented success with Manchester United and a star-studded turn with Spanish giant Real Madrid, Beckham was ready for a new landscape.

"I wanted to be in Los Angeles because I always look for challenges and new ventures," Beckham said.

A soccer ambassador

The evolution of Beckham's brand has gone through many phases over his career, nearing its third decade. Beckham played a central role in Britain's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics and its failed bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments.

"If someone told me 10 years ago that I was going to be involved in bringing the Olympics to London, I was going to be involved in a World Cup bid and be an ambassador for the game, I wouldn't have agreed," Beckham said. "I always wanted to be, but sometimes these things don't happen. But I've been lucky, and I've enjoyed it more than I thought I would."

Beckham's work as an international diplomat for soccer is coupled with his influence on the fashion and entertainment worlds.

He has partnered with H&M for a line of underwear in addition to his own fragrance line, a joint venture with his Spice Girl-turned-fashionista wife, Victoria. His endorsements include a long-standing deal with Adidas, along with Electronic Arts and Diet Pepsi.

Forbes lists Beckham as the world's highest-paid soccer player, with total earnings reaching $40 million in 2010. While Beckham has deftly navigated the demands of celebrity and sport, MLS has been a new challenge.

"It surprises me that the game is not bigger here," Beckham said. "But that's also why I came. I wanted to be involved in this league getting bigger, and clearly it has."

Living and playing in Los Angeles also has afforded the father of four — sons Brooklyn, 12; Romeo, 9; and Cruz, 6; and daughter Harper Seven, born in July — the opportunity to play a prominent role in his children's lives.

"I want to spend time with my kids, and playing for the teams I have, you spend a lot of time away," Beckham said.

"My main priority will always be family. Over the years, my wife has lived in different countries for my career, and my children are at an age now where stability is important."

Winding down as a player

As he readjusted himself in that pesky lounge chair, Beckham acknowledged he's not the audacious young midfielder responsible for some of Manchester United's most memorable moments.

"This game takes a toll on your body," Beckham said. "I want to keep playing, but I also want to kick a football around with my kids when it's all done."

He's entering the twilight of a storied career, but there is little doubt Beckham will stay relevant for years to come.

Even as he and the Galaxy compete for an MLS Cup, clubs abroad are clamoring for his services. English clubs Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers join French side Paris Saint Germain at the top of the list of parties interested in Beckham.

"No doubt he is going to get offered more money elsewhere," Leiweke said. "I think at this point, David as a businessman is better served not moving his family, and in particular he has some business options in MLS as an owner. …

"My hope is that he stays for at least one more year with the Galaxy."

It's an unusual scenario in that Beckham's off-field appeal is quickly surpassing his ability on it, and his next contract could be his last as a player. For now, Beckham is focusing on his final month with the Galaxy.

"I'll sit down with the Galaxy and see how they feel and see how I feel as well at the end of the season," he said, adding with a wink, "Who knows? The Galaxy could trade me."