Red Bull New York announced Monday that it has signed its Designated Player and 2007 MLS Most Valuable Player finalist, Juan Pablo Angel, to a multi-year contract extension.

After struggling to find its attack in last Sunday's exhibition opener, Real Salt Lake had no such troubles in their second go-around this afternoon, finding goals early and often against Shandong Luneng Taishan to post an 8-0 result over the defending Chinese Super League champions in a scrimmage contested at Oxnard College in Oxnard, Calif.

So, at last the David Beckham transfer saga comes to an end. Or does it?

A statement released late Friday afternoon by the Los Angeles Galaxy appeared to quash any chance of the England midfielder completing a permanent switch to AC Milan.

The Friday deadline set by Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has come and gone, so that’s it, right? Beckham will return to California on March 9?

Well, probably, but not so fast. While the likelihood is that Beckham once again will suit up in a Galaxy uniform next season, the matter is not completely dead.

Sources in Italy have revealed to Yahoo! Sports that Milan finally will come up with a firm bid of around $15 million now that its bluff has been called. And while Garber was serious about his deadline and the Galaxy genuine in its statement, that sort of price tag could swiftly resurrect negotiations.

If a resolution can be found early next week at an appropriate price, the deal still could go ahead, as the Galaxy and the league realize there is little value in bringing back a player who will be unsettled and unhappy.

What actually has hurt Beckham in this process is his own opt-out clause, which would allow him to leave after the 2009 MLS campaign.

Milan would have been quicker to put up serious transfer money but instead bargained on the Galaxy being determined to cash in before they lose Beckham for nothing in nine months.

But do not be fooled into thinking the Galaxy or MLS thinks this is the end of the matter.
 
All eyes now turn to Italy to see what is said by Beckham and the Milan hierarchy after their derby clash with Inter Milan on Sunday.
 
If Beckham reiterates his desire to remain in Serie A, the whole issue blows up once more.
 
Think this situation can’t last much longer? Think again. This is David Beckham after all, the man whose transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid rumbled on for the entire summer of 2003.

Share your thoughts on this saga below. Will Becks be back, or is there still a chance he will end up in Milan full time?

David Beckham will not be joining AC Milan as part of a permanent transfer, as the MLS deadline passed.

David Beckham will not be joining AC Milan as part of a permanent transfer, as the MLS deadline passed.

The following statement is from LA Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena regarding the MLS imposed Friday deadline for a transfer of David Beckham.

The following statement is from LA Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena regarding the MLS imposed Friday deadline for a transfer of David Beckham.

Penalty kick goals from John Wolyniec and Lionel St. Preux and a goal by Matthew Mbuta helped give the New York Red Bulls their first 2009 preseason victory with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Toronto FC at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

From the chill winds of Columbus to the warm breezes of Guadalajara. That's the trip that Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan made Thursday as they rejoined their Chivas USA teammates for preseason camp, following the U.S. national team's World Cup qualifier Wednesday night at Crew Stadium.

From the chill winds of Columbus to the warm breezes of Guadalajara. That's the trip that Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan made Thursday as they rejoined their Chivas USA teammates for preseason camp, following the U.S. national team's World Cup qualifier Wednesday night at Crew Stadium.