Beckham's first MLS Game

[Chadd 916]

wasn't the game tonight just an exhibition anyway?

That's why the falling and clutching their various body parts was minimal.

[Lufria 1]

wasn't the game tonight just an exhibition anyway?

That's why the falling and clutching their various body parts was minimal.

You're not kidding about that, Soccer players take a hand to the face and it's like they have to bring a whole paramedic unit out to the field. Don't get me wrong, some are serious injuries, but soccer players in general REALLY drammatize those falls and whatnot.

[Hockeyman9621 0]

So for the people who vote 'no' could you explain why? I'm just curious.

I voted no.... I enjoy soccer, and I play it and follow the Premier league but Beckham won't make an impact in any game he plays in. He needs good players surrounding him. He is only one player of 22 on the field. So, when Beckham isn't involved in the play, it is just another MLS game, which are absolutely dreadful to watch.

[willy0314 0]

wasn't the game tonight just an exhibition anyway?

That's why the falling and clutching their various body parts was minimal.

You're not kidding about that, Soccer players take a hand to the face and it's like they have to bring a whole paramedic unit out to the field. Don't get me wrong, some are serious injuries, but soccer players in general REALLY drammatize those falls and whatnot.

there was alot of talk about that kind of thing after the last world cup. Its pretty bad at the international level. Players look like they are being shot with a taser all over the feild.

[Wayne 0]

So for the people who vote 'no' could you explain why? I'm just curious.

I voted no.... I enjoy soccer, and I play it and follow the Premier league but Beckham won't make an impact in any game he plays in. He needs good players surrounding him. He is only one player of 22 on the field. So, when Beckham isn't involved in the play, it is just another MLS game, which are absolutely dreadful to watch.

Saying that he won't make an impact in any game he plays in is quite a stong statement. During the broadcast ESPN made plenty of references to LA being the worst team in MLS. If they finish any better than worst, I'd say he has made an impact.

Overall I think his main goal the first year or two is to make an impact on American soccer as a whole. If more superstars can make the transition to MLS(who knows if that will happen), the league could become pretty good.

[sc37 0]

The talent level this year has gotten a lot better with the "Beckham Rule." I know how ugly the games were but this year the added 'superstars' have helped a lot. Most teams have at least one or two guys who are wayyy above the other talent and it helps make the game more watchable cause there's at least some skill and transition in the game. I think what Beckham has done is working..LA signed two other international guys already, and with the success of other guys like Juan Pablo Angel I think it'll be feasible for guys to come over and also help keep the better American talent that is overseas.

[KingPest19 0]

The talent level this year has gotten a lot better with the "Beckham Rule." I know how ugly the games were but this year the added 'superstars' have helped a lot. Most teams have at least one or two guys who are wayyy above the other talent and it helps make the game more watchable cause there's at least some skill and transition in the game. I think what Beckham has done is working..LA signed two other international guys already, and with the success of other guys like Juan Pablo Angel I think it'll be feasible for guys to come over and also help keep the better American talent that is overseas.

They were saying during the game last night that Shevchenko has said that he'd like to come play over here. His wife is american and wants the kids to grow up in an english speaking country. Ive heard speculation that Ronaldo would be willing to come play over here. Slowly big name players will start to look at the MLS as a viable option.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

The talent level this year has gotten a lot better with the "Beckham Rule." I know how ugly the games were but this year the added 'superstars' have helped a lot. Most teams have at least one or two guys who are wayyy above the other talent and it helps make the game more watchable cause there's at least some skill and transition in the game. I think what Beckham has done is working..LA signed two other international guys already, and with the success of other guys like Juan Pablo Angel I think it'll be feasible for guys to come over and also help keep the better American talent that is overseas.

They were saying during the game last night that Shevchenko has said that he'd like to come play over here. His wife is american and wants the kids to grow up in an english speaking country. Ive heard speculation that Ronaldo would be willing to come play over here. Slowly big name players will start to look at the MLS as a viable option.

No offense, but they won't.

Not until they are ready stop playing international football.

The MLS is a low level league comparatively.

Players come here to play out their days, valderama, stoichkov etc.

To play top flight football, it takes more than 3 big names, so you have to play england, italy, spain, holland etc etc.

MLS may have improved, but it's a long way from being a bona fide world class league

[Wayne 0]

MLS may have improved, but it's a long way from being a bona fide world class league

European soccer leagues (or their origins) are older than 100 years. MLS is what 15 years old?

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

MLS may have improved, but it's a long way from being a bona fide world class league

European soccer leagues (or their origins) are older than 100 years. MLS is what 15 years old?

My point exactly, 3 or 4 big names are not going to open the floodgates of people coming to play here, when they can play for the teams with tradition, and a chance to win some trophies that mean something.

Think of it in hockey terms, would you rather play for Frolunda and get a chance to win the swedish elite league title, or play for Toronto, Detroit, New York, or such, and win a Stanley Cup?

[fatwabbit 93]

You guys gotta check this out. Ali G aka Borat interviews both Becks and Posh

[BK 0]

I have already voted on this thread, but I think that we are looking at a broader picture in the spectrum of things..

For European PL fans: Sure, you don't care. You have seen Beck prance around the field and score a few goals.. good riddance. There is plenty of talent and you are getting sick of seeing him in the tabloids at your local shop.

For American PL fans: Same thing minus the tabloids.. press doesn't care about him on this side of the pond.

For MLS fans: If this isn't good news for the league, then I don't know what is. I am a SLC Real fan and I welcome anything that will bring a few more fans to the league. I mean sure, its not the same impact if say... Michael Jordan went to some b class euro basketball league, but it was a very good move on behalf of the MLS.

For people who don't even like soccer (since you probably voted anyways on this poll): Hey, at least you know 1 soccer player's name now.

Edit: I have personally met him at a scrim game last year between Real Madrid and SLC Real. I went into that game expecting him to be a prick but after meeting him personally, he is a really upstanding guy. He was very polite and unlike a lot of other players, actually took some time to shoot the breeze with me and my wife while we waited in line for team pictures/autographs.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

For MLS fans: If this isn't good news for the league, then I don't know what is. I am a SLC Real fan and I welcome anything that will bring a few more fans to the league. I mean sure, its not the same impact if say... Michael Jordan went to some b class euro basketball league, but it was a very good move on behalf of the MLS.

There is a difference, and this is why its not even close to the Jordan comparison.

When Jordan played, in his prime, hell, even after his prime when he was here in DC, he was the best player on his team, and in the league, possibly the best player there ever was, depending on your opinons. But certainly top 5 by consensus.

Had he went to play in italy when he was 30, he had the skill, and determination to lift whatever they call the league there.

You point me to a season, or a team, that Beckham has EVER played on, since turning pro, and I will show you at least one, if not 5 players who were better than him, on his own team.

He married a spice girl, which is where the tabloids went from normal football focus, into overdrive.

But his game has always been the same.

I don't think he will even stand out that much over here, again, because he is prone to take chunks of the game off, and will not play hard.

Will it still be good for MLS, if he is deemed a failure.

By all accounts, he should be the best player in this league, if the media, the hype machine is to be believed.

But, and I have said this for years, and previously in this thread, beckham has always been over rated because of his ability with the dead ball, or unpressured passing situations.

[capes921 0]

i don't think he's going to help the MLS because people new to the game won't understand his skill. bringing him in is to target the 'average sports fan', not die hard soccer fans...because they're watching already. the plain fact of the matter is that people are going to watch expecting to see him dominate a game like jordan, gretzky, or bonds...and will have no clue why he was so good after the game because he doesn't score goals. he dominates at his position, but if he isn't scoring, an average fan won't notice. it's like marketing nick lidstrom to save a league, only already existing hockey fans will appreciate his skills, because they aren't as apparent as the skills of crosby, ovechkin, etc.

[BK 0]

his game has always been the same.

You're right. I was refering to the celebrity factor though, not his skill.

Will it still be good for MLS, if he is deemed a failure.

Bringing in a name that even the most casual of soccer fan knows is a success for the MLS lol. Even if he fails, it will fill more seats in the games. The Real Saltlake vs Real Madrid game sold out. I think its the first time a Real SLC game has EVER sold out. Will he be a flop on the field? Probably.

You point me to a season, or a team, that Beckham has EVER played on, since turning pro, and I will show you at least one, if not 5 players who were better than him, on his own team.

The Galaxy ;)

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

You point me to a season, or a team, that Beckham has EVER played on, since turning pro, and I will show you at least one, if not 5 players who were better than him, on his own team.

The Galaxy ;)

12 minutes in a friendly does not count as playing :lol:

[BK 0]

You point me to a season, or a team, that Beckham has EVER played on, since turning pro, and I will show you at least one, if not 5 players who were better than him, on his own team.

The Galaxy ;)

12 minutes in a friendly does not count as playing :lol:

hahahaha :D

[sc37 0]

MLS may have improved, but it's a long way from being a bona fide world class league

European soccer leagues (or their origins) are older than 100 years. MLS is what 15 years old?

My point exactly, 3 or 4 big names are not going to open the floodgates of people coming to play here, when they can play for the teams with tradition, and a chance to win some trophies that mean something.

Think of it in hockey terms, would you rather play for Frolunda and get a chance to win the swedish elite league title, or play for Toronto, Detroit, New York, or such, and win a Stanley Cup?

Well seems like there are quite a few willing to stay in Europe, like Korolyuk and Morozov!

But still, taking Beckham out, there have been a ton of solid players signing in the MLS this year that have made the game more interesting like Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna, Guillermo Barros Schellotto, Juan Toja, and Abel Xavier (who I though bailed the Galaxy out a lot during that Chelsea game).

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Well seems like there are quite a few willing to stay in Europe, like Korolyuk and Morozov!

But still, taking Beckham out, there have been a ton of solid players signing in the MLS this year that have made the game more interesting like Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna, Guillermo Barros Schellotto, Juan Toja, and Abel Xavier (who I though bailed the Galaxy out a lot during that Chelsea game).

Look at the names on your list...

Angel, spent what, 5 or 6 seasons at villa, Reyna is mid 30's and has been in Europe for 10 or 12 years, and Xavier is the same, mid 30's past it and coming here after god knows how many years in Europe (don't know they other 2 guys you mentioned, I follow the footy back home, and I don't remember them at all)

Players see the MLS as a resting ground when their serious footballing days are over. Even beckham, who is only 30ish, he won the triple with united, as well as several league titles, and a couple of FA cups.

He is just off a championship team in Madrid. He is literally taking the money and running here.

I am not trying to belittle the MLS, but bringing over beckham is not going to save the league, because he's not a good enough player to resurrect a bad team.

[M-Cohen 0]

To be honest with you, with all this talk of MLS not being up to par with the Euro leauges. I'm impressed with LA. They lost one nothing to Chelsea, which aside from being J.R's favorite team is also known to be pretty damn good in their own leauge.

Good job.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

MY favorite team?

I can't STAND Chelsea.

[M-Cohen 0]

Hmmm, sarcasm is hard to type in the internet...

I should have added :P

[Wayne 0]

To be honest with you, with all this talk of MLS not being up to par with the Euro leauges. I'm impressed with LA. They lost one nothing to Chelsea, which aside from being J.R's favorite team is also known to be pretty damn good in their own leauge.

Good job.

It should have been about 5-0 as Chelsea, for the most part, thoroughly outplayed LA. But all of us as hockey players know that whole thing- should've, would've, could've.

[sc37 0]

Well seems like there are quite a few willing to stay in Europe, like Korolyuk and Morozov!

But still, taking Beckham out, there have been a ton of solid players signing in the MLS this year that have made the game more interesting like Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna, Guillermo Barros Schellotto, Juan Toja, and Abel Xavier (who I though bailed the Galaxy out a lot during that Chelsea game).

Look at the names on your list...

Angel, spent what, 5 or 6 seasons at villa, Reyna is mid 30's and has been in Europe for 10 or 12 years, and Xavier is the same, mid 30's past it and coming here after god knows how many years in Europe (don't know they other 2 guys you mentioned, I follow the footy back home, and I don't remember them at all)

Players see the MLS as a resting ground when their serious footballing days are over. Even beckham, who is only 30ish, he won the triple with united, as well as several league titles, and a couple of FA cups.

He is just off a championship team in Madrid. He is literally taking the money and running here.

I am not trying to belittle the MLS, but bringing over beckham is not going to save the league, because he's not a good enough player to resurrect a bad team.

So what? Your missing the point that I'm trying to make that besides Becks, MLS is still making headway to becoming a decent league in signing talent. The guys mighta been middling talent in Euro or South America, they still blow away the talent that used to populate the league. So slowly they are getting some where.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

So what? Your missing the point that I'm trying to make that besides Becks, MLS is still making headway to becoming a decent league in signing talent. The guys mighta been middling talent in Euro or South America, they still blow away the talent that used to populate the league. So slowly they are getting some where.

I got the point, but my counterpoint was, that even with some improving signings, they are not of prime players who are in the prime of their careers, and thus, MLS is destined to be a feeder league for European teams, which is why the players on your list (the ones I've heard of) have all spent signifigant time in Europe, they are done there, and still want to play, so they come here.

There are too many other "big" sports to attract the top american athletes with bigger paydays, and too many other "big" leagues to attract top american soccer players for the league to ever become a world class league.

That sounds like a knock on the league, but it's not, it has come a long way, but signing beckham and a few out of their prime players will not make the league all that much better.

They have always had players come in here, like valderama, and stoichkov etc. And this year it's beckham.

It's not going to change the league, it's just going to show the american public that beckham is over rated