Well there goes US Soccer and so much for David Beckham. He is already injured, with a sprained right knee.

He is going to be out at least six weeks, but could return in mid-October, when the Galaxy would have three likely meaningless regular-season games remaining.

Beckham’s inability to play will impact everyone around him. The stadium, the city, the concession stands, the merchandising will all be affected. Also the networks showing the games.

But Brand Beckham - which includes his endorsements for fragrance and apparel - will hold up despite his setbacks.

Beckham’s biggest success has been in moving merchandise and attracting fans.

Initial sales of his No. 23 jersey topped 250,000 and have skyrocketed from there. He gets an undisclosed percentage of every jersey sold, with MLS also sharing in the profits. The Galaxy only makes money if jerseys are bought at its team store at Home Depot Center.

But losing the world’s most famous soccer player impacts more than just the Galaxy, though.

Beckham will miss England’s two Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Israel and Russia in London in early September, and possibly two more in October.

Beckham’s knee injury is the same one he had in February while playing for Real Madrid. He returned in time to help the team win the Spanish League championship and regain his spot on England’s national team.

“I’m staying very optimistic,” he said on his Web site.