CARSON, California (AP) ― David Beckham appears to be considering the same old question for the first time, the white flecks in his scruffy beard highlighted by the brilliant California sun as he frowns in thoughtful contemplation.

Yet Beckham always gives the same answer: The English superstar hasn’t decided where he’ll play next season, but he’s determined to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to an MLS championship this month. If his five-year American soccer odyssey is about to end, he’ll go out playing at his highest level in a half-decade.

“Obviously, if you look at statistics and the games I’ve played, it is the best season since I moved to L.A.,” Beckham said Wednesday after the Galaxy prepared for the home leg of their playoff matchup with New York. “It’s nice to have that at 36 years old, because people start to doubt you, but it’s the best season I’ve had since I moved here. The management, the team, everything has been set up perfectly. It’s been a great year.”

Beckham’s groundbreaking MLS contract expires next month, and even if he isn’t in the mood for career evaluation just yet, the midfielder realizes he can’t stop fans from speculating on his future, whether it’s in Paris, London or back in Hollywood. His mission to invigorate soccer in North America has been neither a complete success nor a total failure, but Beckham is enjoying this moment ― the chance to play at his peak abilities alongside Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and their Galaxy teammates.

Japan to send government staff to game in N. Korea

TOKYO (AP) ― The Japanese government plans to send staff of its foreign ministry to North Korea to ensure the safety of Japanese traveling to Pyongyang for this month’s World Cup qualifier.

The Nov. 15 match will be the first time Japan has played in North Korea since 1989.

The ministry staff will stay in a hotel in Pyongyang and use it as their base since Japan and North Korea have no diplomatic ties, Kyodo news agency reported.

The Japanese government had been advising citizens to refrain from visiting the country since Tokyo imposed economic sanctions following a missile launch by North Korea in 2006.