Beckham loan conference call highlights…

The conference call with LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena regarding David Beckham’s loan to AC Milan was almost as notable for what he didn’t know as what he did. Here are the highlights:

* Beckham was not on the call, only Arena was. 

* Beckham’s loan is expected to last two months, and Arena said the team expects him back “around March 1,” and that he “isn’t concerned” about Beckham missing part of the preseason.

* As for how this move was shoe-horned in and around the various transfer windows, Arena said he “didn’t know the specifics on why it works,” but apparently the deal is similar to the one that allowed Swedish striker Henrik Larsson to go to Manchester United on loan during the last English Premier League season. The fact that MLS is not playing any games during this period probably helped grease the skids.

* Arena added that Beckham “never sought for a longer loan period than the one indicated” in the agreement.

* As for being left out of the loop on how this decision was made, Arena insisted he “was fine with everything. I have a very good feel for the situation.”

* The fine print of the loan have not been completely hashed out, although Arena stated the loan “had been agreed to in principle.”

* Arena refused to divulge any specifics on how the Galaxy would benefit, from either a business side (like who is paying Beckham’s salary) or on what form the much-vaunted technical partnership would take.

Now, some other topics entered the conversation that should affect the Galaxy next year.

* Arena said he expects both Beckham and Landon Donovan to be playing for the Galaxy next season.

* The LA manager also indicated that the MLS schedule for next season would honor some (but not all) international fixture dates.