Beckham in the MLS: Has he made a difference?
With David Beckham poised to move to AC Milan on a loan deal, it is worth considering: What is he leaving behind here?
The Galaxy, wrapping up another losing season, has failed to reach the MLS playoffs in both of Beckham’s seasons with the club.
MLS is not appreciably more popular than before Beckham arrived in Carson. Replica jersey and Home Depot Center ticket sales have increased, but the league remains lower tier in the mainstream American NFL-NBA-MLB-NASCAR culture and in the eyes of serious soccer observers.
Soccer itself, however, is doing fine here. As it was before Beckham joined the Galaxy.
Top-flight soccer has never been more accessible to fans living in the United States, thanks to soccer-specific television networks and the Internet. The problem for MLS has been the comparisons to those European powerhouses now so readily available for viewing. Given the time and chance to watch two hours of soccer, not many fans are going to choose the Galaxy over Manchester United, Arsenal or AC Milan.
Beckham’s presence in a Galaxy uniform never changed that.
So now Beckham steps up into the big time again. He wants to stay in the mix for selection to England’s national team, whose coach, Fabio Capello, says he wants players currently active -- in season -- as England proceeds with its World Cup 2010 qualification campaign.
If he makes a difference, for England, for Milan, that will be more than what MLS has to show for the first two seasons of Beckham In America.
-- Mike Penner
Photo: David Beckham, while playing for England in September, controls the ball against Andorra during their 2010 World Cup qualifying football match in Barcelona. Credit: Paul Ellis / AFP / Getty Images
Who is Beckham? ... And what is soccer?
Posted by: boogie | October 22, 2008 at 07:13 PM
When did Mike Penner return? I thought he became Christine Daniels in a much-publicized announcement. Someone owes the readers an explanation here.
Posted by: David | October 22, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Reporters have the patience of crack-addicts. Beckham never expected that his impact in the states would be single-handedly transformative, nor instantaneous.
Posted by: Stan | October 23, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Who is Beckham? ... And what is soccer?
Posted by: boogie | October 22, 2008 at 07:13 PM
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Beckham and soccer are what you just read about, so you're a bit of a liar, aren't you?
Posted by: Stan | October 23, 2008 at 03:18 PM
When Becker left the big league to come to the US, both he and the new club may have had unrealistic expectations.
I think that he must do what's right for him, and I don't think anyone else should have a say in it. Maybe it was a learning experience, or maybe he'll return to the states again, when conditions are better. Only he can make that decision, and others should but out and not speculate.
True Becker Fans, and there are many, don't care who he plays for, nor on what team. They just want to see his spectacular talent, and wish him well, unconditionally, as a player and as a human being. Even those who are Galaxy fans, and cheered loudest when he joined their team.
I'm cheering him on just as loudly no matter who he plays for, now or in the future.
Zoe
Posted by: aebrain | October 24, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Well said, Zoe.
Posted by: Barret | October 26, 2008 at 08:19 PM