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?

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The first edition of our World Cup rankings looks at which teams are shaping up as the strongest favorites if the tournament was about to begin.

We have looked beyond the form and strength of the relative teams and included factors such as acclimatization to the hot South African temperatures and home advantage. Hence, the surprise inclusion of some African teams, including the hosts, in our top 16.

1. Spain: Euro champ is a class above the pack.

2. Brazil: Needs to peak at the right time.

3. Argentina: Potential for greatness despite inconsistency.

4. Holland: Star-studded lineup keen for major success.

5. Germany: Always comes up big at major events.

6. Italy: Finally getting it together after poor Euros.

7. Portugal: Talented team should survive qualifying.

8. England: Bouncing back from missing the Euros.

9. France: Troubled squad needs to get its act together.

10. Paraguay: Dominating South America and could go far.

11. Cameroon: Classiest team in Africa could provide shocks.

12. Croatia: Wants to make up for Euros heartbreak.

13. Greece: Temperatures could suit this developing side.

14. United States: Will cruise through CONCACAF but needs to step up.

15. Ivory Coast: Will like its chances of making the knockout phase.

16. South Africa: Will have home support and an easy draw.

So what do you think of our rankings? Do you think Russia, the Czech Republic, Australia or others should have been included? Praise or criticize, let us know below.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- From the moment the draw was made for Hexagonal qualifying, it was clear that the opening game between the United States and Mexico would be critical for both of CONCACAF's two biggest fish.

A 2-0 victory and three points gave the U.S. a dream start -- and the one-sided contest provided its share of winners and losers.

Here is our list of those who gained and lost the most Wednesday night in Columbus.

Winner: Michael Bradley

Even without scoring the only two goals of the game, Bradley was a dominant force in midfield and his efforts helped the home side dictate the pace throughout. Displaying a confidence he has not always shown for the national side, Bradley had a breakthrough night and proved he has the ability to make a game-changing difference at this level.

Loser: Sven-Goran Eriksson

These are bleak times for Eriksson, whose job as Mexico coach is now in extreme peril after the latest in a series of dire performances. It has not taken long for the Mexican public to come to the conclusion that he is totally the wrong man for the job -- and they can't wait to see the back of him.

Winner: Sunil Gulati

U.S. Soccer's president gave up around $1 million in revenue to stage the game in Columbus rather than a big NFL stadium and saw his decision justified spectacularly. Columbus came out in force to create a strong pro-U.S. atmosphere and Crew Stadium was rocking by the end of a successful night. Oh yeah, and the cold and windy weather didn't hurt, either.

Loser: Kenny Cooper

The FC Dallas forward has designs on the main striker's role for the U.S. His cause was not helped by a strong and largely mistake-free performance by Brian Ching, who is coach Bob Bradley's favored choice. The Houston Dynamo front man boosted his stock further in Columbus.

Winners: Javier Aguirre and Portsmouth

Eriksson's exit would clear the way for Aguirre to return to the job he occupied from 2001 to 2002, when he took Mexico to the last 16 of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. It would also allow Portsmouth to bring in Eriksson as the replacement for Tony Adams, who was fired last weekend. The English Premier League club has already acquired Eriksson's former England assistant Brian Kidd as its No. 2.

Loser: Giovani Dos Santos

In the space of a year, Gio has gone from being one of world soccer's most highly touted young talents to being in danger of dropping off the radar altogether. The 19-year-old has been useless with Tottenham in the EPL, and he missed two golden opportunities to get Mexico back in the game.

So who do you think were the big winners and losers from Wednesday night's game? Share your thoughts and comments below.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It's all over at Crew Stadium and suddenly South Africa doesn't seem so far away for the United States.

An outstanding team performance against, it must be said, a woeful Mexican team provided the perfect start to CONCACAF Hexagonal qualifying.

With the U.S.'s strength at home, there's no way the Americans should fail to finish in the top three spots in the region, even with nine games to go.

Mexico, on the other hand, leaves Columbus with serious issues to address and could be starting its next game with a new coach.

Share your thoughts and comments on a big night for Bob Bradley's team below.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The United States dodged a bullet in the 80th minute and Sven-Goran Eriksson could be running out of chances to save his job.

Ricardo Osorio failed to connect properly with a free header at the near post with the goal at his mercy. It is hard to see Mexico getting many more chances.

Eriksson was already on thin ice after a string of poor results. This could be the final straw for the impatient Mexican Football Association.

The Swede may have employment waiting for him at Portsmouth in the English Premier League if his desperately poor run in charge of El Tri is brought to a premature halt. Either way, his reputation as a top level coach continues to take a hammering.

Eriksson has never managed to come to grips with the intricacies of Mexican soccer and you have to wonder how many more strikeouts he has left in top-level soccer.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Rafael Marquez could not contain his frustration any longer as Mexico endured a nightmare minute that looks to have ended its chances of taking anything from this clash.

After Giovani Dos Santos missed two clear chances from less than a yard out in the space of a few seconds, Marquez leapt into a dangerous lunge on U.S. keeper Tim Howard that correctly earned him a red card. Howard is fortunate to have avoided serious injury to his knee after Marquez went studs up on him.

Marquez's actions were borne of anger at Mexico's utter failure to get a foothold in the game. Michael Bradley and several other U.S. players were keen to remonstrate with Marquez but were ushered away wisely by Carlos Bocanegra.

It is turning into a big night for the U.S. although, with only a single goal advantage, the points are not in the bag yet.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It isn't easy being the son of the head coach and Michael Bradley has endured more unfair criticism than any other U.S. player.

However, the Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder has answered his doubters in the best possible way tonight with a spectacular performance.

His all-action approach has allowed the home team to totally dominate midfield and set the tone for the game.

Mexico looks to have no answer at this stage, resorting to hopeful long balls forward on what looks like a miserable night for the visitors.

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U.S. Soccer confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in North American soccer when it announced Thursday it will bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. President Sunil Gulati is confident of a successful bid, and the way the process will play out should help the U.S. significantly.

Here is how Yahoo! Sports sees things panning out in the hardest-fought race for hosting rights in World Cup history.

Feb. 2, 2009: Registration for applications to host the World Cups close and the field is finalized. Twelve bids are expected.

Through 2009: Momentum shifts further towards Europe for the 2018 tournament. Failure by a European nation to win the 2018 rights means it would be 16 years between World Cups in that continent, not something FIFA would be in favor of. Also expect some regional dilution of bidding nations. From Asia, Indonesia and Japan may drop out. In CONCACAF, Canada and Mexico may withdraw.

Late 2009: England emerges as a clear favorite for 2018, forcing the leading bidders from CONCACAF and Asia to shift their focus toward 2022. The weakest of the European bids, either Holland/Belgium or Russia, could pull out of the running.

May 14, 2010: The deadline for submission of full bids sort the men from the boys. Nations that have been unable to secure sufficient funding for infrastructure and stadium works should give up now. To avoid voting embarrassment, China may drop out if it feels it has little chance of success. FIFA may also take steps to encourage no more than two competing bids from one continent by staging an elimination process.

Summer 2010: By now it is clear that 2018 is a straight fight between England and Spain/Portugal. England's history and stadiums (the 2012 Olympic stadium will be almost finished) puts it in a strong position, despite the English FA's often clumsy handling of soccer politicking. Spain/Portugal remains in with a strong chance thanks to its support from the South American block. The 2022 hopefuls and their confederations begin to try to cut some deals that will help them in the second stage of the selection process.

December 2010: Decision time. The first round of voting sees little popular support for any bid except England and Spain/Portugal. England seals the nomination as early as the second round and earns the right to host for the first time since 1966. Attention then shifts to 2022, which by now has boiled down to the United States and Australia. Qatar still has hope, but this is not its time. African nations are eligible to bid for 2022, yet none are expected. The U.S. should be too strong for the Aussies, who will surely host a World Cup some time in the future. This time, though, the lure of established infrastructure and the prospect of the best-attended and profitable World Cup in history is too strong, especially in these tough economic times. The U.S. wins a one-sided vote after two rounds and the planning for USA 2022 begins.

So what are your thoughts on how the bidding process will play out? Who will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups? And who should?

Share your thoughts and comments below.