Is the Honeymoon Over?

Apparently TJ Simers has a problem with David Beckham's performance, or lack thereof, since arriving on our shores. Interestingly, if you look at DB's goal-scoring record (admittedly not the only metric to appraise a player, especially one of his position and limited ability) it doesn't differ that much from his time at Real Madrid, where he averaged a goal in nearly every 8 games.

Bitter and pissed off at being denied an interview request? This is the LA Times, man!!! I'm the California Sports Writer of the Year (2000) goddammit!!!

But seriously, did it take you this long to realize the limited impact Goldenballs would have on the MLS and everything remotely connected to soccer? I bet TJ was lauding DB's praises when the deal was first announced.

So much for Beckham being a voice for MLS [LA Times]

-bl

Can Becks save MLS?

Oh, where to start with this whole Beckham + LA = Galaxicos. Well, you have to admit it's a bit out of character for the MLS, but can Becks bring droves into footie grounds, or even the Home Depot Center, in a town where they can't even sustain a pro American football team (USC, contrary to popular belief, does not count)? Today's Fiver said it best:

It's no big surprise that Becks opted to take the Yankee dollar - after all, the deal in question is worth a wallet-busting, jaw-dropping £128m (over £492,000 a week! £70,285 a day! £2,928 an hour!) to the washed-up 31-year-old who, even in his sari-wearing, Brylcreemed, petulant pomp, was one of the most over-rated players ever to kick a football.

In dollars, Becks will be making nearly $249M for his five year deal. Apparently, less than 20% of the deal are his actual wages, so the cost of having a one-dimensional, aging and slow midfielder (besides Cobi Jones) for the LA Galaxy comes just under $10M a year. Despite appreciating the Beckhams for providing SMiA with countless (and meaningless) fodder with which to ridicule them, it's unfortunate that MLS thinks this is what they need to grow this league.

Couple that with the fact that Becks is 32, had little impact in La Liga, and nothing to offer internationally, it's a crime in my book that he's going to make this much bank. There are countless other players that could invigorate MLS with their quality of play, rather then their marketable face and mummified ex-Spice Girl missus. Zinedine Zidane? Luis Figo? Even Ronaldo would have more of an impact, in my opinion. You'd be surprised how many middle-aged players at the decline of their career that could collectively boost the popularity of the league with technique and skill, if not pace.

I would like to see myself eat my words, and I would like to see MLS take it to the next level, of say, at least the Scandinavian leagues. I would like to turn on an MLS game and see a higher level of play. Sadly, I don't see that happening, but we'll keep you posted on the royal couple's arrival, right down to their first trip to Wal-Mart.

Global icon David Beckham signs with the Los Angeles Galaxy in landmark deal [Galaxy Press Release]

An older Beckham still has plenty to offer MLS [ESPN Soccernet]

FACTBOX - The life and career of David Beckham [Reuters India]

-bl