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I’m really excited for Landon. This maybe his big chance to shine.

Steve, now I will really be accused of wearing rose colored specs: New York is my local team! We might not be filling Giant Stadium, but the ten thousand of us can have great tailgating parties in the spacious parking lots. As soon as the new stadium (PULEEEEZ) is ready, which is accessible by public trans, I think we’ll be in business.

TFC have been great fun, Laurie did well lobbying the league into sending her the Sounders, and of course Steve Nicol is a model for solid coaching (and the best sense of humor during interviews).

I won’t mention Beckham again when I come visit (and I certainly won’t use him as a moral compass either as he never gave all his money away to the starving masses as I so vigorously encouraged). He might have introduced me to the Galaxy and MLS but I have a great fondness now for many of the other players, as well as the fans (and bloggers) here who taught me the MLS ropes. And who manage to maintain their potty mouths even in the face of adversity .

1) I like Beckham as a player, as a talent, as a promoter – but, I do NOT look to him or hold his actions and his choices as a marker for my ethical/moral compass. Yes, he was tasked with bringing outside eyes to peer into MLS and have those eyes kept there during broadcastings and sports articles. And, when the LA Galaxy didn’t suceed and couldn’t because of stupidity and mismanagement – the wolves & vultures came out in droves. It was very apparent from his & his wife’s lifestyles alone even before coming to the US – that this “pot of gold / magical lamp” as hoped by AEG would come definitely and earnestly with very high maintenance.
2) Next, the LA Galaxy will surely survive and dare-say prosper from his absolution of contract. However, losing a speedy, attacking, scoring player like Landon will have some queasy, mildly-ill effects. But, that too shall pass. Let’s not kid ourselves – MLS have shrewd, positioned, negotiating-saavy professionals at their helm… MLS will grow as a new league in this sport should. As one commentor put it – slow & steady.
3) If there is one “alkaline” after-taste in my mouth, at times – it’s the fact… that I really hope that National Sports Broadcasting & TV-Reporting of Soccer/Football desperately gets smarter, more researched, more experienced, and LESS sarcastic and belligerent. Soccer is NOT American football, nor boxing nor NASCAR. The audiences for the latter thrive on drama, explosions, controversies, and fantastical proportions. Not to say that soccer cannot be portrayed as thrilling, or as emotional and as captivating – but, announcers & broadcasters should be intelligent and understand its history and context during their reporting.

http://beta.soundersfc.com/

also more of this…

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/David-Beckham-Asks-To-Join-AC-Milan-And-Leave-LA-Galaxy-Football-Team/Article/200902115217037

Beckham on wanting to stay at Milan – vid of him speaking. This should close the door on the Beckham experiment.

Does he have any concern for the residual damage he will leave behind in the MLS/USA soccer world after making, what appeared to be, a sincere pledge and commitment to help nurture the sport? My guess is that the battery of microphones and klieg lights that he stands in front of have erased his concern for anyone or anything but himself. I know that the fanatical Beckham fans will take umbrage at this assessment and frankly that is to be expected.