The hype. The buzz. The fanfare.
And then his team missed the playoffs. Injuries flared up throughout the season. And people continue to call him a shell of what he was, playing in a league nobody knows exists, just here to collect his paychecks and be on his way.
Say what you want about this season, but neither David Beckham or Major League Soccer can be considered a failure. Not a player who hasn't had the chance to be at 100 percent. Not a league that is profitable, competitive, slowly gaining international respect and still growing.
First, let's talk about Becks. People nag on him because of his health, but remember, he had these ankle problems before he even came over to the U.S., back when he was with Real Madrid. MLS and the Galaxy knew they ran the risk of not having Beckham at 100% this season, but in the off-season, he'll heal, he'll come back at full health, and he'll be a much better player in doing so. It also will help that he'll start the season with the Galaxy instead of joining halfway through, something the Galaxy will need if they are to get to the MLS playoffs.
Beckham's jump to MLS is also getting the attention of other international superstars, and he may just be the tip of the iceberg. Among those interested are French superstar and former Arsenal star Thierry Henry. Henry recently told the New York Times that he planned to end his career in New York once his contract with Barcelona ends in 2011. Sure, he'll be 34 then, but he's still an internationally-known name, especially among soccer fans, and getting him to MLS could be the biggest thing since... well, David Beckham.
Second, MLS is far from the failure some people say it is. Yes, I know Jim Rome hates soccer. Yes, I know he's far from being the only sports commentator or columnist who hates the sport and wants it gone from the country. But there's a definite market here for it, and while everyone will not warm up to it, it is a viable sport in the United States.
Article comments
1 - Chris
you are exactly right... the mls is far better designed than the nasl and you can tell through international competitions how the league has developed in only 12 years. jim rome is ignorant ass - soccer/football is the worlds sport, and it always will be... soon america will be a part of it.
2 - Cowtown
I love MLS, but will be content to see it evolve into a financially viable #5 team sport in the states. #4 would be a bonus.
3 - nicolas
all decent points but:
- i don't know that saying MLS is more successful than NASL really says much about MLS, since NASL wasn't really successful
- LA took a HUGE risk paying that much money to a player they knew wasnt healthy (and who, apparently, wasn't smart enough to let it heal properly during the season either). it isn't remotely an issue yet, but there's always the chance that LA spen 50 mil on a guy with bad ankles (which is never a good body part to have chronic injuries in).
- I don't think Thierry Henry is even relevant yet. I'm aware that he is such an incredible athlete and workout fiend that the fact that he'll be 34 in 2011 is a complete non-issue. That said, four years is a long time, and a lot can happen in that span.
just some thoughts.
4 - alessandro
Comparison to the NASL is misguided - I agree. The MLS is far better planned.
Beckham is not what's going to drive this league or be the reason if it fails. The MLS on its own will determine its fate.
5 - Miguel Ruiz
I Agree with David Beckham not being 100% healthy but I mean dont you think its outrageous paying all that money for him. I mean there are other players that deserve that Money more then him. That actually helped his team...like Cuauhtemoc Blanco or Juan Pablo Angel...
6 - Footballer
Until America officially switches the name of football to its rightful name, football, then football will not thrive here. Australia did the right thing with their name change, we must too.