Coach Bruce Arena decided Beckham will be captain for Saturday's Major League Soccer game at Real Salt Lake.

The former England captain took over as L.A. skipper when he joined the team in 2007 but last captained the Galaxy on Oct. 26, 2008. The armband was given to Landon Donovan the following year.

“Bruce has asked me to wear it, and I'll be proud to wear it,” Beckham said. “It doesn't change the way I play.

It's something you're very proud to wear, but you need more that that one leader on the field.” Donovan will miss the game to be with the US national team for its friendly against Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey