Is it finally time to admit the 'Beckham Experiment' is a failure?  That's the question that seems to be making the rounds these days - and the answers are mixed.  Those close to MLS will say no (of course) but those of us on the outside looking in will say - yes, it is time.

When Beckham came over in July of 2007, there was great fanfare, great expectations and lots of hope for football in America.  A year and a bit later - the fanfare surrounding Beckham is all that remains.  Sure, he can still draw fans to games wherever he goes - but the football has been dreadful.  Fans say 'ya, I saw David Beckham play' but rarely do they get to say they saw Beckham win - or even play at his best for that matter.

Even his marketing value is in decline.

No wonder he contacted AC Milan about a loan move.

After spending most of the year toiling away with the traffic cones that are the LA Galaxy - his loan move to Milan must be like an early Christmas present.  There were some questions early in the week about the deal actually going through due to some haggling over who would pay the $820K in salary.  I contested to those in my circle that I wouldn't be surprised if Beckham waived his wages and told Milan to just give him a flat and let him play.

And when the deal was finalized Thursday within hours of Beckham's lawyers arriving in Milan, I'm willing to bet that's what happened.  How else could it get done so quickly?  Even Adriano Galliani said he didn't expect a deal to be hammered out by the end of this week - and when financial details of the move were kept 'confidential'.....

Do you blame him though?  I think even Beckham - with his declining quality - has even been shocked at just how bad the Galaxy are.  And the fact they have floundered (despite MLS' best attempts to 'adjust' the league and get them into the post season) certainly hasn't helped matters.  It's been a disaster and football in America - instead of growing in stature - is the subject of jokes yet again.

I'll give kudos to MLS for the effort - but anyone who listens to any form of football podcast or feed from the UK knows what I'm talking about.  North American football - and MLS - are routinely compared to 'pub sides' over there.

What do you think?  Has the 'Beckham Experiment' done all it can?  Should David even come back?  What can MLS do to fix it?