David Beckham Plays In America, Are You On Board With The Footie?
David Beckham’s effect is being felt on America. How do I know this you ask? Because I spent the majority of my Saturday evening watching an exhibition – scratch that, a “friendly” – soccer match between the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS and Chelsea of the English Premier League. Becks, as they call him, played only thirteen minutes or so, but the man demands attention.
I’ve written about soccer briefly in the past, most notably my affinity for and mastery of Sony Playstation’s FIFA ’98, but also for my catching World Cup fever in 2006. I realize the sport of soccer is a polarizing one in the United States. Some people think futbol to be unworthy of even talking about while others follow the foreign leagues abroad with the same passion you or I follow our Eagles or Phillies.
If there is one sport I wish I were more knowledgeable about, it would certainly be the world’s most popular sport. On my most recent trip to Italy, I found myself wandering the streets of Naples while Napoli played in a key playoff game. In an instant, the streets erupted and it meant only one thing, Napoli had scored. With that, I wanted to learn more about the sport Americans find so boring.
There has been much talk of an MLS team coming to the Philadelphia area. I am certainly on board. Within the last few days, there has been talk of a $100 million dollar stadium on the Chester waterfront. Chester seems like a strange place for a soccer squad. Why couldn’t they play at the Linc?
Anyway, David Beckham now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Here’s to hoping futbol can become a sport Americans can appreciate. I’ll be watching.
>>Beckham Comes On For LA Galaxy [BBC Sport]
>>Funding will be a tough goal for soccer stadium in Chester [Inquirer]
>>Previously: World Cup 2006 [The700Level]
Some random, non-futbol related observations:
Eva Longoria is the world’s biggest jersey-chaser. Also, what’s the deal with Katie Holmes and Tom Cruises relationship with the Beckhams? It almost takes away from the mystique and allure of David Beckham.
I’m not going to lie, of the players on the L.A. Galaxy, I only recognized two of the non-Beckham names. Cobi Jones and Landon Donovan. Speaking of Landon Donovan, I’ve understood him to be America’s greatest footballer, but he didn’t really show me much. Also, he needs some Rogaine.
Julie Foudy is the perfect mix of a commentator being an expert on her subject while still being an attractive young lady.
Jennifer Love Hewitt, while being my childhood sweetheart, is certainly nowhere near an ‘A Lister,’ but still a looker.
Keving Garnet was there. I always liked KG.
Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham, and Eva Longoria. (or is it Katie Cruise and Posh Spice?)
Any event Tommy Smyth is announcing, I’m onboard. Love that guy.
Final note: Sid, start planning our trip to South Africa in 2010.
from what i've read, the Linc is not wide or long enough for anything but friendlies. Plus, can you imagine what playing basically april to january (being optimistic) would do to the field?
also, the MLS is really pushing for SSS (soccer specific stadiums). I guess it is bad to see a 30% full Linc on TV. It also lets the team make more money by not having to pay rent in another stadium. they can also be used for concerts and other events..
it'll be interesting to see how beckham will change the soccer landscape. but you'll know when its here to stay when Eskin becomes converted.
Posted by: matt | Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 11:39 PM
I'm definitely not adverse to the idea of a soccer team in Philly but, I really don't want to see a bunch of drunken kickballers digging up the Linc turf all off-season. Also, as Matt said, the MLS wants to see soccer only stadiums, like they have in LA. Seems like making the Chester Crackheads the newest team in the MLS might be a mistake, and funding a soccer stadium for Philly might be an issue so, I say, let them expand elsewhere.
I get a little soccer happy when we get around World Cup time too, but for me, it's more about American Pride then it is soccer. I mean, during the Winter Olympics I watch lots of curling, especially when it was that hot American curler, but it wasn't the excitement of a rock sliding across ice that I dug, it was the fact that watching it provided me with the opportunity to chant U!S!A! U!S!A! from the comfort of my living room.
Posted by: ryan | Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 02:59 AM
Great job, it's always nice to see other supporters of soccer in the states. There is so much history and culture in the sport. I have such an admiration for futbol fans. It think it would be great to see the MLS in Philly. Hopefully, America will catch on to the "beautiful game."
Posted by: RocMalone | Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 03:52 AM
Beckham is just great for American sports in general right now. Let's face it, we don't have a lot of good role models to look to in American sports. What really bothers me is some of the negative things that have been written about Becks by people like Bill Plaschke and Jay Mariotti. If you look at American sports right now, Mike Vick is killing dogs, Barry Bonds is, well, he's Barry Bonds, NBA Refs are involved in gambling scandals and other figures like T.O., Pacman Jones and the Cincinatti Bengals dot the sporting landscape. It's certainly refreshing to have someone like Beckham, who has handled himself with amazing professionalism throughout his career, come over and give us someone good to cheer for a change.
If you're trying to get into soccer, the English Premier League season starts Aug. 11th and the Dark Horse Pub at head house square is a great place to catch the games. And in the fall, most Sunday games are at 11 and over by 1, just in time to watch the Birds.
Posted by: troy | Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 12:37 PM
Well, who follows football (not soccer,please) knows that Beckham's career at a high level was already over a couple of years ago
he has been a nice player, but great ones are on another level. I just hope he serves the purpose of gathering more fans in the US
speaking of Italy (my country) where was that pic in the post of the trip taken? Napoli/Naples? it doesn't look like
Posted by: Ricky - Sixers4guidos | Monday, July 23, 2007 at 05:28 AM
Ricky, the first picture in that link is of the harbor in Vernazza on the Cinque Terre.
Posted by: enrico | Monday, July 23, 2007 at 08:57 AM
a-ha !!!
I knew it was something familiar... I live in Genoa, same region, 100 kilometres away from the Cinque Terre (don't know how many miles, let's say 1 hrs of drive, to cut it short...)
Posted by: Ricky - Sixers4guidos | Monday, July 23, 2007 at 11:29 AM
If you really want to dive in a see what the game is about, invest some time in watching the English Premier League. The season begins August 11 and Fox Soccer Channel, available on Comcast digital cable, broadcasts up to 5 games LIVE each week. I know MLS is the domestic league but it is crap compared to the Premiership.
I am a big sports fan ... definately "Philly-centric", but after last summer's World Cup, I wanted the buzz more often than one month every four years. I did some research, picked a team and jumped right in and now it is with me like a fever I don't want to go away.
If you are a sports fan, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. There are also plenty of pubs in town that show live games in at atmosphere that rivals Birds games. The best part is that most games are either on Saturdays, or early Sunday morning, so as to not interfere with American Footie.
It also gives you an excuse to start your drinking earlier in the morning ... like you needed a reason.
Come On You Spurs!!!
Posted by: Jeremy | Monday, July 23, 2007 at 03:03 PM
the best way to get ino the beautiful game is just to watch for a few weeks and decided what team's style of play, atmosphere, etc. you like best. there is nothing more aggrivating than people who come in and just decide to be a chelsea or man united fan because they are the best teams. (granted, i am a man united fan, but i have been since i've even known what the sport was) Obviously the most popular teams in the states are the "Top Four" of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man United because of their success over the years (or, in Chelsea's case, since 2003). There is also a lot of stong support for Tottenham over here. If you're feeling patriotic, three Americans (Dempsey, McBride, Bocanegra) currently play for Fulham while Brad Friedel and Tim Howard mind the nets for Blackburn and Everton, respetively. If you are the type to root for the underdog, Sunderland, Derby County (pronounced Darby), and Birmingham all just got promoted to the Premier League this season. Other than that, all you really need to know is that Manchester City are a bunch of cunts and you're good to go.
Posted by: troy | Monday, July 23, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Great comments, peeps. I shall make an effort to see what's up with this soccer business abroad.
I'd reccomend shooting me an email with things I should keep an eye out for when they happen and any good links to videos/highlights/whatever on the web as well.
As they say, Cheers.
Posted by: enrico | Monday, July 23, 2007 at 05:16 PM
whoever is choosing a team to root for, take a look at Genoa and its crazy fans
click on "gradinata Nord" banner on top and watch ALL the pics show
http://www.genoacfc.it/gradinatanord.asp
Genoa just got back into the first League (serie A) after 12 yrs of sucking
Posted by: Ricky - Sixers4guidos | Monday, July 23, 2007 at 05:59 PM
Since I am new here, I'll hold my tongue about Serie A and Italian football in general.
Posted by: Jeremy | Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:11 AM
By the way, I just watched the second video above from "HollyScoop" tv and now, I don't want soccer to make it in this country. I am fine enjoying it in relative obscurity if this is what passes as news / event coverage.
Posted by: Jeremy | Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 12:32 PM