'The best is yet to come' - Man Utd great Wayne Rooney continuing what David Beckham started in Major League Soccer revolution

There was a time when mention of the MLS would draw a snigger and a raise of the eyebrows. It's where ageing players went for a final pay day, it's where they had dribbling penalty shoot-outs, it's where they said soccer.

Not so much now. Things across the Atlantic have changed. The standard is strong, the interest is huge and the players are high profile.

European sides are looking Stateside in the transfer market, top clubs are frequent visitors to increase a supporter-base and US fans are fervent. David Beckham helped change the perception, moving at 32 with a real commitment to the cause.

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He brought stardust as a player and a personality and helped elevate the sport. The league is growing at a rate of knots, a 10-year broadcast deal with Apple is evidence of the appetite. The Beckham bounce was the catalyst on and off the pitch.

"David Beckham had a seismic effect on our league when he joined the LA Galaxy in 2007," Dan Courtemanche, Executive Vice President at MLS, told the Manchester Evening News. "His arrival marked the development of the Designated Player rule, which allows clubs to have up to three players who are paid outside of the salary budget.

"He showed top stars in all facets of their careers that MLS can be a league of choice, leading to the subsequent arrival of other global icons. David was a terrific ambassador for MLS as a player and continues to be as a club owner at Inter Miami.

"There is no doubt he was a significant catalyst behind the growth of Major League Soccer, and we are pleased that he continues to provide great value as an owner of Inter Miami CF."

If Brand Beckham kickstarted the