Beckham Brings Soccer to the American Masses

By: Laurie | July 26th, 2007

So here’s something funny that happened as I was sitting in Starbucks.

I was working on my scintillating “Lindsey Lohan wants to Bed Beckham” piece when I just happened to tune in to the conversation between the two guys behind the counter. One of them was saying, “Yeah, I was surprised they only lost one to nothing.”

And the other said, “Yeah, especially against a team like Chelsea.”

They went on to discuss the specifics of the Galaxy-Chelsea game, including Landon’s excruciating missed header. One guy had watched the whole game, the other had heard about it but not seen it.

At the end of the conversation, one guys said, “And it was actually on ESPN?” in a tone of amazement, and the other responded, “Yeah. ESPN.”

Okay, keep in mind here: I’m sitting in Nowhere, Washington, in a town with no more than 10,000 people (and that’s probably double the actual count) in a little Starbucks outside a Walmart. Not exactly Soccerville, USA (if such a thing exists.) And I’m listening to two people discuss an MLS game. MY MLS game.

Is this a sign that we’re in the process of arriving?

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Category: International Games and Issues, Player News

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mag

Laurie,exactly-I mean when Beckham came to Madrid Figo played on the right wing and SAF's dog-Keyrush put him in the center,wich was just a huge waste of the player. Actually one of the first best Beckham's games in Madrid was 4-2 against Barca and guess what...Figo was banched as Becks played at his so loved right wing...he became MOTM and assisted 2 goals. From that moment he never played in central midfield regulary,maybe once or twice,if I'm not wrong.
By the way since Cantona retired David always played on the right in MU and in NT.
He can play in the center but he is not effective because almost never even tries to beat player or run with the ball-this is just not his game,with amasing vision of the field, golden pass and good communication with right backs Becks is just almost unreplaceable on the right,wich was proven in Madrid this year.
Beckham does some clever runs through the wing,he likes to change sides,he helps a lot on the deffence,crosses like no one in the world and,as I said-has great vision of the game-that's why Beckham's passes are so dangerous-he can predict the situation,he knows where his strikes are,he always chosse the right adress.
Laurie

Mag, I've had the same thoughts on Beckham playing in the middle. I was reading older interviews from his time at Madrid where he was saying he was so glad to be back playing on the right because that was the spot that felt more natural and comfortable. Why is this supposed to change now?
mag

Yeh,don't expect Beckham to score every game. But expect him to assist ectually in almost every match,he was the best assistent in La Liga where a lot of world class playmakers creat the show. he can put the ball on the forward's feet from any place on the pitch. Also I hope he will play not just in the center,because he played there in Real and it was bad idea-Beckham is a natural right winger! Any way in MLS players still don't know how to mark his free kicks and also he has amazing long range shoot,check England-Wales game in 2004
Todd Pounds

Did anyone see the ESPN ticker after the Chelsea game? It stated “Chelsea 1 - LA Galaxy 0 (Beckham No Goals)”. Firstly, how the heck did ESPN expect Beckham to score a goal in 12 minutes when injured playing at 80%? I think this is a risk, because people expect Beckham to score goals witht he way he is being marketed. I think at best beckham will score at a clip of a goal every 3 games. I wish they would emphasize points (combined goals and assists) more than goals the way the NHL does. That would be more favorible for Beckham and most playmakers… Many times the assist is more difficult than the goal anyways…
Ian

Good sign. Just got to Britain, and it's great to be back where every fifth male between 15 and 30 is wearing a football kit. Makes me imagine what that would be like back home ...
AJ

Yea, soccer is getting a lot of noise now and it is a good time to be a soccer fan in the US, let's hope it continues.