Rule designed for attraction

FOXBOROUGH -- The Designated Player Rule will make its mark on Major League Soccer's 12th season -- eventually. The so-called Beckham Rule, which allows teams to bypass salary cap restrictions for one player, has led to the addition of three players to the league: David Beckham himself, plus Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and Claudio Reyna. Other names are expected to be announced soon, and more could join in July, about the time Beckham (Real Madrid) and Blanco (Club America) are expected to start playing.

The anticipation and hype surrounding the DP Rule have created an atmosphere similar to the early years of the league, according to Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston.

"The league is better now, teams are much deeper," said Ralston, a starter since the league began in 1996. "You don't have the big-name players, but that will change with Beckham. It will be very similar to the first years when we had Carlos Valderrama and Marco Etcheverry."

Ralston had performed as a central midfielder growing up in St. Louis but switched to the right wing when Valderrama commanded the midfield while they were with the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Ralston displayed his prowess on the right side in setting up chances for the Revolution in a 4-0 victory over Toronto FC Saturday, his back-post cross to Taylor Twellman resulting in the second goal.

"There were also experienced professionals like Lothar Matthaeus, Roberto Donadoni, Hristo Stoitchkov, great players, but they were at the end of their careers," recalled Ralston while preparing yesterday for Thursday's Revolution visit to Columbus. "But Beckham is still in his prime. We'll see how they do. I don't think they will take over the game because the league is competitive and strong, but they will be very good players for the league."

Ralston has mixed feelings about the arrival of highly paid marquee performers.

"It's good for them," Ralston said. "But we would like to see the minimum salary raised. For developmental players it's hard to live on what they make, especially in cities like Boston or New York.

"This is great for young players. You only get better by playing with better players. ESPN is taking a look at the league and showing more highlights, they are spending money on the TV rights and promoting it. And when the crazy stuff starts happening when Beckham arrives in July, it's going to be pretty exciting."

Ralston, 32, has played in 343 MLS regular-season and playoff games, fifth on the all-time list in US first-division professional soccer, behind Bill McPherson (366), Bart McGhee (350), Chris Henderson (348), and Jimmy Gallagher (346), according to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. McPherson, McGee, and Gallagher performed in the American Soccer League from 1921-31, McPherson winning seven US Open Cup titles with Fall River, New Bedford, and Stix, Baer & Fuller of St. Louis.

"We were disappointed with the Chicago game [a 1-0 loss]," Ralston said. "But we got the early goal against Toronto. They were on the road and wanted to organize and sit back a little bit, but they had to come out a little. They are a new team and they are starting to realize what the league is all about, but they should be fine."

Ralston and Twellman have been an effective combination for the Revolution, but last year they struggled as Ralston sustained an injury during US national team training camp and was cut from the roster before the World Cup.

"We always look to the near post [on crosses], but we have been working on some things," Ralston said of combining with Twellman. "I had a lot of space and a lot of time to pick up my head and find Taylor, and he had a great finish."

Forward Pat Noonan did not practice yesterday after performing for the Revolution in a 3-2 win over Toronto in a reserve game Sunday morning. Noonan will be available for the Crew match . . . Defender Michael Parkhurst trained yesterday but will not play against Columbus, coach Steve Nicol said . . . Charlie Davies, who grew up in Manchester, N.H., and played for Boston College, made his debut for Hammarby IF in a 3-0 win over Trelleborgs Saturday. "[Davies] came on and played well in the second half," said Patrick Mork, a Stockholm-based agent who attended the Revolution-Toronto game. "They are happy with him. He is young and just out of college and he is not used to living by himself but his cousin from London is with him. Players with excellent pace do well in Sweden. He has everything to prove, but I like him. We have taken Americans and Canadians to Scandinavia and they need a lot of time to adjust, but in one or two years he will be a star." . . . Columbus is expected to announce the signing of Argentinian Guillermo Barros Schelotto from Boca Juniors . . . Gillette Stadium officials confirmed a Bolivia-Republic of Ireland match for May 26, as part of a doubleheader followed by the Revolution-Kansas City game.

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.