It's a whole new look for the LA Galaxy, as soccer icon David Beckham unveils his jersey with the team's new colors while being introduced to the fans and the media amid much fanfare at Home Depot Center. Even the mayor of LA was there to welcome him. Thus begins Beckham's mission to help raise professional soccer above its heathenish state in America.

But first, a commercial timeout for his wife, Victoria. Also known as Posh of the Spice Girls, she strode onto the field 10 minutes ahead of her husband and got the same Hollywood welcome. Wearing a tight-fitting, bright fuchsia dress with matching purse, large sunglasses and high heels, she approached the throng of cameras in front of the stage, stopped, put one leg forward and offered up some fashion poses.

And before I go any further, it's important that I say, as a card-carrying sportswriter, I had no idea her dress was fuchsia. Someone had to tell me. Nor did I know that Beckham was wearing a Burberry suit until someone asked him during his interview sessions afterward.

But of course, we should get used to that kind of stuff because that is what this is about -- celebrity and fluff as a vehicle to bring more people into Home Depot Center and numerous other stadiums around the country. I'm guessing that the novelty will wear off soon enough, and most American sports fans will go back to ignoring Major League Soccer like they always do. But in the meantime, there is a buzz around the Galaxy, which will do well to strike while the Beckhams are hot.

Or hotties, as the case may be. Potentially, soccer can be as big in the U. as it is everywhere in the world, Beckham said to the adoring, chanting Galaxy ticket-holders.

That was the optimistic theme of the presentation. Not just for the Galaxy, but for soccer in the United States. It's about building the sport, building this league, Commissioner Don Garber said, calling Beckham the right man in the right place to make this happen.

Asked afterward if he were worried about the burden of such expectations, Beckham toned it down a bit. We'll see, won't we? he said.

I've had expectations all through my career. This is a big one. Beckham in America ultimately won't be about the initial marketing and media blitz, but the selling power is pretty impressive so far.

He is the cover boy of Sports Illustrated this week. Advertising campaigns by the likes of Motorola, ESPN and adidas are under way. Galaxy ticket sales are booming.

Tim Leiweke, of team owner Anschutz Entertainment Group, said all 42 of Home Depot Center's luxury suites are sold out for the first time. A July 28 game with Mexican power Chivas de Guadalajara is scheduled for the 92,000-seat LA Coliseum. The team changed colors to dark blue, gold and white to coincide with Beckham's arrival, and 250,000 of his replica jerseys have been shipped to stores.

Beckham gets a small percentage of each jersey, according to Leiweke, one of the many ways the 32-year-old player can earn as much as $250 million over the next five years in LA. Yes, it's good to be David Beckham, Leiweke said. The Beckham magnet is so strong, LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa even turned up, perhaps hoping to catch a bit of positive karma.

The mayor is trying to move past a scandal -- his affair with a television reporter -- that broke up his marriage and cost him popularity points. But the crowd booed his name, and one heckler shouted, Is your girlfriend covering it? when he went briefly to the microphone.

Even putting on a Beckham No. 23 jersey failed to turn the hostile crowd to Villaraigosa's side, the one killjoy note in the party atmosphere. Next up, trying on the Beckham jersey, is the MLS, crossing its fingers that it has better luck than the scrambling mayor.

Reach Gregg Patton at 951-368-9597 or gpatton@PE.com It's a whole new look for the LA Galaxy, as soccer icon David Beckham unveils his jersey with the team's new colors while being introduced to the fans and the media amid much fanfare at Home Depot Center.