Boss Alexi Lalas believes the signing of ex-England captain David Beckham in August could help to make LA Galaxy the world's biggest football club.The world's biggest club? Wow. I think he's forgetting one teensy weensy detail: soccer is a team sport. Sure, Beckham may be good, but there are 10 other guys on the field with him. For him to look good, the entire team must be able to perform together as a unit. Secondly, soccer is a sport where a club's history is very important, and, quite frankly, no American clubs can claim much of a history. Besides, look at who made the comment: Lalas. Do I really need to defend my skeptism any more?
Davis: Beckham signing lifts league The first three sentences of the article:
The world of Major League Soccer changed Thursday. Forever.Changed forever? MLS grew up? Now maybe I'm wrong here, but you'll have to pardon my skepticism. Is Beckham's signing a good thing for MLS? Probably. Is it going to make MLS a respectable league worldwide, and soccer the #1 sport in the US? Highly doubtful. Those two things can only be accomplished one way: by strengthening soccer on the grassroots level. Did any of the other soccer superpowers (Brazil, England, Man U, Real Madrid, etc.) gain their strength by the signing of one man or woman? No. In all of those cases, soccer is a deep, powerful force on the grassroots level. If you've ever travelled outside of the US and Canada, you know what I'm talking about. Soccer is everywhere. Kids play on the streets, fields, and anywhere there is space. Things like 'real' goalposts, regulation-size fields, shin guards, and shoes are optional. Entire cities and countries essentially grind to a halt when their team is playing. There is no glamour in a bunch of kids kicking around an old, beat-up ball on a dusty field. Will a rich, famous, glamourous player change the attitudes of Americans to soccer on the grassroots level? Sure, some will be introduced to MLS for the first time, and become hooked by the game. His presence may do a lot to making soccer look cool. But Beckham's presence isn't going to change the minds and attitudes of the American population. Only a strong grassroots growth can. What we need is more of a paradigm shift in the minds of Americans.
The league grew up, so to speak.
1 comment:
I agree with you on most levels. However, the signing of one player can change everything for a club. You may remember the acquisition of Eric Cantona by Man U. That signing made Man. U the most dominant club in the world...again. The differences are: Beckham is not Cantona and the Galaxy is not Man U. I also disagree that improving our grassroots levels is the ticket to increasing the sport's popularity in America. Almost every child in this country has the opportunity to play soccer and millions of them do. If they are good enough...there are leagues in which they can thrive against appropriate competition (ODP). The problem lies in the lack of knowledge of the game and its history. It is "the beautiful game" for a reason but it is a rare American who understands why. Brad Friedel's two consequetive saves in the closing minutes of the game against Arsenal were number 4 on SportsCenter's top 10 plays yesterday. Some last second three pointers in basketball were respectively 1st and 3rd. Now, don't get me wrong, just seeing a soccer highlight on ESPN is a treat and i'm not complaining. But even the American sports "experts" don't recognize or appreciate the sheer beauty and skill of a good save which held up a "boring" 0-0 tie. Soccer's popularity will improve in America when children begin to be introduced to the likes of Christiano Ronaldo and Robinho, and Lionnel Messi, and Lucas Podolski, and Clint Dempsey, and Lampard's boot, and Italian hooligans, and when they are told of the legends of Maradona and Pele and Beckenbauer and when they understand the significance of a London Derby and when they actually know about relegation and promotion of leagues. When all of this happens, Americans will appreciate Landon Donovan, Justin Mapp, Taylor Twellman, Jonathan Bornstein, and our rivalry with Mexico and they will hear about Brian McBride and Joe Max-Moore and the 2002 World Cup and the LA derby will be significant. We have the players. The feeder systems could surely be improved. But it is the knowledge of the sport and the passion for the game that are lacking.
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