MLS is mostly irrelevant in America but this topic was too big to ignore considering my love of soccer and the fact that I studied in London for a semester in college. David Beckham-the biggest name in sports worldwide-had a press conference in LA today as he gets set to join the Galaxy. The hype machine has been getting fired up for months so prepare yourself for weeks, nay months of the same drivel from eerily similar small-minded sportswriters from across this great land of ours.
David Beckham played for Manchester United (England) and most recently Real Madrid (Spain)-two of the most famous and successful club teams in the world. He was also the captain of England for three World Cups. He's an outside midfielder, most famous for his crosses and pinpoint free-kicks. He could never take over a game but he's great at what he specializes in. He's 32 and his contract with the Galaxy runs through 2012. Not sure if he'll still be running around the US by that point but that's something to worry about for another day.
Beckham is a 21st century creation. He's bigger than Michael Jordan at his prime, its not even close. The main reason being that soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Actually, its probably the most popular sport in just about every country outside the US and Canada. Americans like to think we have the greatest country in every regard (politics, sports, money, music, etc.) but for whatever reason soccer has never really gained popularity nationwide past the youth level.
Will Beckham change that? Who knows. The variety of sports in America is a good thing. We have so many options, there's a sport out there for everybody that's interested. It's silly to think that the NHL, NBA, MLB or NFL are perfect. Hockey is quickly becoming the forgotten sport stateside while there's plenty of problems with the other three major sports. Beckham coming to LA can't hurt. His combination of ability (Real won its league title thanks to him a month ago), star power (married to a Spice Girl with a boob job, hello) and good looks/quirky English charm have taken the world by storm for the past decade.
I don't know why so many American sportswriters, talking heads and older generations seem almost scared to admit that MLS could succeed. It's bizarre. They don't like soccer, OK great we get it. All the interest Becks will bring can only help a league that is in dire need of better ratings, more quality players and bigger crowds. Its a spectacle, who doesn't like that? The American sporting world won't change overnight. Football and baseball with basketball running closeby will still rule the day but there's no reason that soccer can't slide into the number four spot. And don't get me started on NASCAR, that doesn't count hillbilly. So let me be the first from this blog to welcome David, Victoria, Cruz, Brooklyn and Romeo (their three boys) to the States. Go on Beckham! Come on lad!
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