The image of David Beckham digging in the dirt apparently will have to last forever as his major contribution to soccer in Sandy.

Major League Soccer will stage an All-Star Game next week at Rio Tinto Stadium without one of its premier stars, believing other players are more deserving of the honor.

Something about having played more than one game in the league this season, in other words.

Maybe that's the proper stance, but not necessarily the right one.

Beckham may not have done anything to justify his selection this season, but since when is that required? Every sport's all-star history comes complete with examples of players who were voted in or chosen strictly by reputation, so why not include Beckham in American pro soccer's showcase game?

He's available, he's eligible, and he's not playing. That's a mistake, for a league that needs every bit of exposure it can generate.

And I have to believe that even the purists among those buying tickets ranging from $35 to $200 would have welcomed a glimpse of Beckham.

It's true that he was booed and taunted during Sunday's exhibition against AC Milan by Galaxy fans unhappy with his delayed return to Los Angeles, but he also recorded assists on both of his team's goals and remains a big-time player in the sport.

While the format of the MLS vs. an established, recognizable club such as Everton FC is innovative and promotes competition, the All-Star Game is still an exhibition, created in the interest of entertainment and publicity.

Even some criticism of Beckham's participation would have meant people were talking about the league and this game. Now, it is back to the same, old issue: Outside of devoted soccer followers, how many MLS All-Stars can anybody name?

Houston Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear finalized the league's 18-player roster Monday for the game against Everton, with no unconventional or especially controversial choices. That followed MLS commissioner Don Garber's picks of Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales, which came before Beckham took the field for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

From a strictly soccer standpoint, the All-Star Game will survive without Beckham. Still, this event needed him to distinguish it in the larger sporting landscape.

That's why Beckham became part of MLS in the first place, and the need for transcendent star power is more pressing in an All-Star Game.

Besides, Becks is our guy.

RSL owner Dave Checketts pressed him into service in August 2006 during Real Madrid's visit to Utah, making Beckham part of the ceremonial groundbreaking for the stadium. Last season, Beckham delivered a memorable performance with the Galaxy at Rice-Eccles Stadium, scoring both of his team's goals in a 2-2 tie with RSL.

He had not rejoined the Galaxy in time for their Rio Tinto Stadium visit in May, so he will not be appearing in Sandy this year -- if ever, with his MLS future uncertain.

Garber's intention was to reward RSL fans by naming Beckerman and Morales. Yet considering Real's 5-7-5 record, are they both worthy? Surely, the home team's supporters would have sacrificed one of them in favor of Beckham.

And if Kinnear is as serious about representing the league and winning the game as he professes to be, wouldn't 45 or so minutes from Beckham advance those causes?

Instead, predictably, Dynamo players now account for five of the 18 roster spots. If MLS still needs Beckham at all, it certainly needed him in the All-Star Game.

kkragthorpe@sltrib.com