David Beckham, who sparked a wave of “Beckhamania” one year ago when he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy, has seen the fascination slow and Major League Soccer grow due in part to his arrival.
Minister wants quotas on Premiership foreigners
The 33-year-old English international midfielder still draws sellout crowds, quadrupling New York Red Bulls attendance to more than 46,000 earlier this month, and Beckham souvenirs remain among the league’s most popular items.
While the hype has cooled, attendance leaps when Beckham arrives in MLS venues and he deserves a lion’s share of credit for the growth spurt the US league is enjoying, the latest example being plans to add two teams by 2011.
“I’d like to think so,” Beckham said of his playing a major role in boosting the sport in America.
“It’s one of the reasons why I moved here, to be a part of growing the game here. Hopefully people are seeing the changes.
“Attendances are up 20 percent. Shirt sales are up 780 percent, so I heard. So it’s going well. That’s obviously what the game needs in this country. The hype is there and it’s just about keeping it going.”
Beckham’s $US250 million ($A260.88 million) deal to jump from Real Madrid to the Galaxy brought him and wife Victoria, better known to many as Posh Spice of the Spice Girls, to Hollywood and they have been regulars on the celebrity scene.
While Beckham missed most of his debut season with injuries, he has fulfilled the promise of last year’s hoopla this season in quieter fashion and helped ensure the long-term stability and growth of the US football league.
“Soccer is definitely changing in this country and it’s getting bigger, but it’s going to take time,” Beckham said.
“It’s not just going to happen in a year or two. It’s a long-term plan to raise the profile of the game in the country and it’s going well so far.”
MLS has 14 teams, adding Toronto last year and San Jose this season. Seattle Sounders will join next year with Philadelphia to follow in 2010 and MLS commissioner Don Garber said Thursday that two new clubs will be added by 2011.
Cities being considered for the newest clubs include Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver in Canada and the US markets of Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, St. Louis and a second club in the New York area.
“There are a lot of people putting a lot of money into this league and trying to grow it, and in the next few years you going to see that emergence,” Beckham said.
“I’ve always said that the level here is a lot higher than people actually think it is. I’ve been here a year now and seen some of the talented players and teams that are in this league.”
Beckham, whose contract runs through to 2011, has scored five goals and set up seven more for the Galaxy in 16 MLS matches this year.
The Galaxy missed the 2007 playoffs but is fighting for the Western Conference lead this year.
More time, money and support will be needed to transform MLS into a league capable of luring big-name stars in their prime from European clubs, but Beckham sees a bright future for US players such as Jozy Altidore, who went to Villarreal of Spain last month from New York.
“It’s going to take longer than a year to happen, but this league and the teams in it will start attracting players from Europe,” Beckham said.
“It’s not just about ticket sales. It’s not just about attendances. It’s not just about selling shirts.
“On the other side, you see Jozy Altidore go to Villareal and so if you’re a good player in this league, you’re going to have a chance to play in other big leagues in the world, in Europe.
“To be honest, I’ve always said that the level is a lot higher here than people actually think it is. Every game is a tough game. We do want to get it to the level of other leagues in the world.
“It will take time, but it’s not that far away.”
Dublin Dave
Guest
Who cares about that glamour puss? The press. Especially the lazy rote hacks (you will note this came from the AFP agency) who find it easier to put out a plausible cliche which they think most people will pick up on than actually hunt around for the real trends and facts that might yield an alternative truth. The true strength of American soccer is the number of kids playing the game. That produces a steady flow of talent that has already brought the USA if not to the front rank of international soccer then at least to a consistent presence in the second rank. To be fair, it would be helpful for them if they had a strong credible local league to join and in which to hone their talents. And maybe the presence of the likes of Beckham will give that some short term credibility. But he is just the lacquer on the mahogany structure. The real strength and longevity will have to come from within. The soccer mom is a more fitting American soccer hero. As usual, the womb will win the war.
Dave
Guest
Stoffy Think i'd prefer the stats from the article than the vox pop amongst a couple of acquaintences of yours, Increasing attendances, 4 new teams by 2011 and more queing up to get in, huge numbers of participants, attendances virtually now on a par with NHL and NBA, more media etc. Whilst it is a slow process football in the US is going along nicely and as more of their players reach the elite level their national teams results will begin to improve. Then there will be even greater interest amongst the sports fans. Beckham is playing an integral role in helping to grow the game.
True Tah
Guest
KB, regardless whatever Beckham has achieved, he is laughing all the way to the bank, $250m a year. Soccer has been pretty big as a participation sport in the US for sometime before Beckham came along, so I wouldn't give him too much credit for that, I think his celebrity status has certainly raised that aspect of soccer. There are probably more registered soccer players in US than UK, Italy, Japan and a stack of other soccer powers.
Stoffy
Guest
In speaking with some Americans my age of recent time, it became clear that football (soccer) isn't growing as fast as i had previously thought. In fact the number of people i asked couldn't even name the team from for example their city of Houston (they didn't even knew they had one). Just to test their knowledge i managed to convince them that David Neitz was a hero of American soccer! As for David Becks, they knew he played the game and that was it. They seemed to all agree on one thing though, that soccer was s%$#
Koala Bear
Guest
Becks, he is not the greatest player ever to lace up a boot, but what he has achieved in the US is an unquestionable, remarkable, achievement for a single player... Polite, accessible, and a decent human being .. Good luck to Becks, and I hope he continues to make a difference in the US.. ~~~~~~~ KB
chris
Guest
Who cares about that glamour puss.