New exhibition tournament setup by the MLS. They claim it's "another opportunity for its teams to gain international exposure and to face competition from other countries.", but I feel they are just milking Beckham's marketing power. Otherwise they would have kept to only champions of their respected leagues to be in the 4 team tournament which would consist of Gamba Osaka, Huston Dynamo, and TBD Australian club, and a final champion from some other league (maybe from the K-League). But they chose to put the Galaxy in who were one of the worst teams last year in the league.
I think this tournament could have some potential bringing in Japan and Australia into the mix, but I feel like it's going to be a big bust. Even living in the US, I doubt I'll be able to catch any of these matches on TV. I even had to watch the SuperLiga (against Mexican clubs) on the Spanish channel (Univision).
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Two MLS sides, including the L.A. Galaxy will battle teams from Japan and Australia in Hawaii.
David Beckham’s first trip to Hawaii will take place in February when the Los Angeles Galaxy headline the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship exhibition tournament.
Japanese league cup champion Gamba Osaka, MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo and a team from Australian A-League Final Series will round out the four-team field.
The exhibition tournament will begin on February 20 with a doubleheader and continue three days later. Gamba Osaka will face the Galaxy, while Houston will take on the Australian side. The winners will play for the title and the losers for third place.
"Honolulu was selected as the host not only for its geographical location in the center of the Pan-Pacific, but also for its community, its terrific infrastructure and its history of hosting top international sporting events," said Doug Quinn, president of Soccer United Marketing.
For Major League Soccer, it’s yet another opportunity for its teams to gain international exposure and to face competition from other countries.
“The Pan-Pacific Championship is a great opportunity for MLS teams to compete against elite clubs from Japan and Australia and we are pleased to be partnering with the J.League and A-League to introduce this new exciting competition,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “The event will provide the participating teams with high level competition, while enhancing each league’s exposure throughout the world.”
The Galaxy, who are currently in New Zealand for their second game of their tour Down Under, will use this event to gear up for the MLS season, which is slated to begin on March 29.
"It's good for the team to start off our preseason playing against quality opposition,” said Beckham, who scored a goal against Sydney FC earlier this week.
In addition to Beckham and Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan, the other players who should draw interest during this event include Houston Dynamo striker and Hawaii native Brian Ching as well as 19-year-old Japanese sensation Michihiro Yasuda and J.League star Yasuhito Endo for Gamba Osaka.
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