Is 2007 the new 1975 for the MLS?

Drink up, David Beckham, for your reported $250 million contract on U.S. soil, or turf, depending on the venue.

The question that weighs heavy on his contract is this: Can this extremely handsome face do for a failing U.S. sport what Pelé did for it in 1975? I don't think so.

For 32 years our country has been ridiculed by, basically, the rest of the world, for grabbing the skill-deteriorating soccer greats from other countries to attempt a kick-start in soccer sales, soccer attention, soccer anything.

Last year, Brazil's Ronaldo was rumored to have been offered $120 million for ten years with the New York Red Bulls. THAT would get me out more to Giants Stadium. Ronaldo is amazing to watch. At 29 years old, he'll stay with Real Madrid but may also be looking to a U.S. team for his "retirement years."

Pele was 35 on his signing in 1975 (for $7 million) to the NASL's New York Cosmos, compared to Beckham who is now 31 and signed with the MLS' LA Galaxy for 5 years. How did it work for Pele? It's simple - he brought beauty to the game itself. He made the game magical and astonishing to watch. His intentions were not financial gain - although with his signing he was the world's highest paid athlete of the time. He claimed he'd rather help make soccer "truly popular" in the U.S.

I don't see that passion in Beckham.

I give props to his earlier skills and his magic penalty-shot foot that saved England a few times in the World Cup, but he lost his look of a leader in the sport. The hottest man on Real Madrid, yes, but a team captain, no longer.

I do agree he's a solid addition to the MLS in quality and visibility, but I just can't agree with Timothy J. Leiweke, president of the Galaxy's owning company, that "David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally."

Look at what Tiger Woods did for golf. Match that, Beckham, please. I really do want this sport to succeed.

What can we expect from the fans?

Pele's 1977 playoff season with the Cosmos attracted a record crowd of 77,691 at Giants stadium - more than the Giant's 1976 crowd of 76,042 in their opening game (and loss to the Dallas Cowboys). In the past decade, MLS attendance has averaged only 15,000. Can we expect greater attendance stats in the next few years to come, like we had in 1977? Although the sport proved it can do it 30 years ago, I would be shocked if it did.

Granted some European venues can host as little as 8,000 fans, but let's face it, soccer is the sport that non-U.S. fans live and breathe. I can understand that. I love, and mind you, still play this sport if you can't tell.

I'm guessing that soccer (at least Beckham) will possibly get a 2 minute mention tonight on PTI, but any sport station tonight will be discussing how Coughlin is staying and how will he change his play calls and Coughlin is staying and how will he change his play calls and  Coughlin is staying and how will he change his play calls  - hear what I'm hearing? Over and over.

Maybe I'd have more respect for the NFL if soccer was as widely recognized here in U.S.

Maybe this will help...

Ladies: - *ahem* - where have you been? First try playing the sport, but if you're not a runner than understand this... Soccer players have the hottest bodies of any sport. ALL positions on the field demand 6-pack abs and strong legs. Trust me - go to a game or two, hang in the club's lounge afterward. Try to get your man to join a pick-up league. You'll thank me.

Gentlemen: I'm sorry the game runs for 45 minutes straight without interruption. I'm sorry every 2 minutes you can't watch 17 replays in 6 different angles while 5 refs discuss who patted who on the ass before a ball was thrown. No commercials means PUT THE BEER COOLER IN THE LIVING ROOM and "hold it" for 45 minutes at a time. Come on, you can do it. And maybe you'll learn there's more to the sport than just kicking.

Advertisers: No commercials means hire better creative strategy agencies. You can figure out something.

And last but definitely not least...
Kids: Learn to kick before you learn to throw.

Comments

[makethelogobigger]

Tis will not save the league. Maybe a short-term shot of adrenyline for the LA market, that's all.

[doych]

Yeah and I didn't mention how last season Lalas predicted LA might get a 5,000 person boost at one game if he joined. That seems a high estimate.