Two years after David Beckham joined the league, Major League Soccer is facing many headwinds in addition to the declining economy as it attempts to establish itself as a major player on the US sports landscape.

Los Angeles Galaxy soccer player David Beckham watches the NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles, October 28, 2008. [Agencies]

While Beckham's signing in 2007 helped boost the league's public awareness and put more fans in the seats, television ratings for the young league remain stagnant and some analysts said the MLS will never be more than a minor player behind football, baseball and basketball.

"They didn't do all that well this year when people were expecting, with Beckham, that they'd get a little bit more momentum," said Andrew Zimbalist, professor of economics at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Driven by the housing bust and subsequent stock market slide, declining spending by consumers and companies alike has meant different levels of pain across all US sports.

However, former England captain Beckham, 32, was meant to elevate soccer to a higher status when the MLS signed him to a five-year deal valued at up to $250 million.

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MLS officials at the time envisioned more TV viewers, as well as higher attendance and franchise values.