2008 Woodie Awards
Tony's Time Out: David vs. Soccer Goliaths
Tony Patrico
Issue date: 7/25/07 Section: Sports
On Saturday, it finally happened; the moment that America has been waiting for was finally here. David Beckham finally stepped onto the field during the 78th minute of this weekend's game as the L.A. Galaxy faced Chelsea FC. Finally, all eyes were on American soccer again. Unfortunately, the eyes were on the game for the wrong reason.
All eyes, all camera lenses and all googly-eyed girls had their full attention on number 23 in the white and yellow L.A. Galaxy jersey. It was a huge leap for the sport considering that besides the MLS All-Stars defeating Celtic earlier this year, the game has shown no interest to the public. But, is this an improvement or just a sideshow?
The game got major attention and ratings were through the roof, but the only exciting moments of the game were when Beckham stood from the bench, stretched and warmed up and began to get ready to enter the game. As Beckham rose, you would have thought that a photo of the English soccer star would have a million dollar prize on it. Cameras flashed and people cheered as the 32-year-old star played his first minutes on American soil. Twelve minutes.
Yes, 12 minutes. The hoopla of all hooplas boiled down as everyone that watched sat on the edge of his or her seats to see the man that every soccer fan has talked about, for twelve minutes. I know that to some, this is satisfaction as the game is already being discussed more than it ever has, but David Beckham is a man, not a miracle worker.
Just like when Pele came to play American soccer in the 1970s, the hype was large and when he played the game interest was held. However, the moment he left the game, the public left as well.
It will take more then just the arrival of David Beckham to save American soccer. Leagues like the MLS are doing decently well, but not as well as they should. What really needs to happen is the league needs to expand. The St. Louis area is known to be one of the biggest and most prominent soccer areas, but it has no MLS team. The players are of high caliber, but we need bigger and better names. If the MLS could reel in a large number of players who compete in the professional level in England, Spain or Italy, the league could get a boost in attendance and overall fan interest.
With the arrival of Beckham, however, the American pop-culture gurus can now have their pleasures in diving into each of the lives of both David and his wife Victoria, more commonly known as Posh Spice, as they try and "mesh" into our culture. Beckham has led a large Hollywood-type life regardless of his living in England, but now it's only a matter of time when he gets into some kind of controversy over in the states.
The game of soccer in America is on the rise. I am just hoping that with this step, the game can rise to a level that puts it on the map worldwide. The game has taken its first step in becoming a large major sport in America, but it has a long way to go to be recognized as largely as the NBA, MLB, NFL or even the NHL. Beckham is step No. 1, but it's going to take a lot more then just one man and a soccer ball.
All eyes, all camera lenses and all googly-eyed girls had their full attention on number 23 in the white and yellow L.A. Galaxy jersey. It was a huge leap for the sport considering that besides the MLS All-Stars defeating Celtic earlier this year, the game has shown no interest to the public. But, is this an improvement or just a sideshow?
The game got major attention and ratings were through the roof, but the only exciting moments of the game were when Beckham stood from the bench, stretched and warmed up and began to get ready to enter the game. As Beckham rose, you would have thought that a photo of the English soccer star would have a million dollar prize on it. Cameras flashed and people cheered as the 32-year-old star played his first minutes on American soil. Twelve minutes.
Yes, 12 minutes. The hoopla of all hooplas boiled down as everyone that watched sat on the edge of his or her seats to see the man that every soccer fan has talked about, for twelve minutes. I know that to some, this is satisfaction as the game is already being discussed more than it ever has, but David Beckham is a man, not a miracle worker.
Just like when Pele came to play American soccer in the 1970s, the hype was large and when he played the game interest was held. However, the moment he left the game, the public left as well.
It will take more then just the arrival of David Beckham to save American soccer. Leagues like the MLS are doing decently well, but not as well as they should. What really needs to happen is the league needs to expand. The St. Louis area is known to be one of the biggest and most prominent soccer areas, but it has no MLS team. The players are of high caliber, but we need bigger and better names. If the MLS could reel in a large number of players who compete in the professional level in England, Spain or Italy, the league could get a boost in attendance and overall fan interest.
With the arrival of Beckham, however, the American pop-culture gurus can now have their pleasures in diving into each of the lives of both David and his wife Victoria, more commonly known as Posh Spice, as they try and "mesh" into our culture. Beckham has led a large Hollywood-type life regardless of his living in England, but now it's only a matter of time when he gets into some kind of controversy over in the states.
The game of soccer in America is on the rise. I am just hoping that with this step, the game can rise to a level that puts it on the map worldwide. The game has taken its first step in becoming a large major sport in America, but it has a long way to go to be recognized as largely as the NBA, MLB, NFL or even the NHL. Beckham is step No. 1, but it's going to take a lot more then just one man and a soccer ball.
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