LA Galaxy: It's All About David Beckham and Landon Donovan

The American media is notorious for over-hyping sporting events through constant advertising but that doesn't mean that the LA Galaxy duo of David Beckham and Landon Donovan haven't lived up to their billing as Major League Soccer's superstar tandem.

And if you haven't heard already, this year's edition of the LA Galaxy is all about David Beckham and Landon Donovan as they look to lead the way under first-year Dutch head coach Ruud Gullit. 

Relying heavily on their two designated players to deliver following an injury to key player Carlos Ruiz, Beckham and Donovan's performances have been nothing short of first-class as the international superstars have already made their mark on a relatively young MLS season thus far.

Thanks to some marvellous delivery through Beckham's right foot, Donovan has seen his goal scoring numbers go up as he already has five goals in four matches to lead the league in goal scoring.

Even Beckham, who is not renowned for his scoring abilities, netted one against the San Jose Earthquakes on national television.

Donovan's pace has created chance after chance for himself as the American international has used his ability to latch onto through balls or crosses being sprayed left and right by Beckham. 

There's no question that Donovan has benefited from Beckham's presence down the right flank as he now has a formidable team mate capable of sending in quality balls into the penalty area.

The goal scoring totals could have easily been more had it not been for some world-class goalkeeping from Toronto FC's Greg Sutton and Houston's Pat Onstad in recent matches.

However, while many are quick to praise the two MLS superstars, their relationship and roles on the team didn't just develop overnight. 

Prior to Beckham's arrival to Los Angeles, there was a time when Donovan was the unquestioned leader on a developing Galaxy squad under then head coach Frank Yallop.

More importantly, he was the face of American soccer and the LA Galaxy that was confident of taking control as skipper after returning from several stints in Europe.

That was until the arrival of #23. 

Along with the personal celebrity that is David Beckham, he brought with him a reputation that the whole entire league of Major League Soccer had not seen before.

And it was one that the entire world had taken notice of. 

It went well beyond the fact that he was a six-time Premier League champion, two-time FA Cup winner and a UEFA Champions League winner while still at Manchester United. Or his La Liga championship during his last season at Real Madrid.

He was referred to as the messiah to more than just the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham was supposed to revive the sport of soccer in America and to a certain degree has gotten casual soccer fans to take notice of the beautiful game.

Attendances are booming at an all-time high; at one time, the Beckham LA Galaxy shirt had been the most sought after jersey in America.

The interest was back in soccer and it was all about David Beckham. 

Perhaps his arrival to the club may have forced Donovan's hand but the two looked to have bonded into a superstar partnership and will be relied on as the Galaxy look to bid for another Major League Soccer title to add to their collection.

Of course, for Donovan to hand over the armband to the former England skipper was a tremendous sign of respect but the two have shared a mutual role this season as leaders of a relatively young squad filled with rookies and second-year players.   

Their influence on the matches themselves are clearly evident when the younger players are constantly looking to where Donovan and Beckham are on the pitch.

Whenever a play is about to break down, Beckham is often called upon to send a ball up for Donovan to handle. The reverse also occurs for Donovan when he's asked to hold up the ball and wait for his options as he battles against opposing defenders.

They were called upon once again Saturday night against the Houston Dynamo when Ely Allen and Alvaro Pires were withdrawn with their respective injuries.

After a rather dull performance in the first half, Beckham and Donovan led by example as they raised their intensity through their play and voices around the pitch. 

The best is still yet to come for the LA Galaxy, and if recent performances are anything to go by, the Beckham and Donovan Show is already kicking off in style.