Welcome to the post-Beckham era of MLS.

The new chapter officially began sometime very early Sunday morning, when the last bottles of champagne were drained at the LA Galaxy’s MLS Cup 2012 victory party.

The league woke up later that day, a little hung over, and sensing a void. Just how big of a void? Well, MLS will be fine, of course—better than fine—but you know the old expression, You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone? As time goes on, we’re going to find out just how big.