Major League Soccer is the highest level of soccer in the US, but in the world it is quite frankly minor league soccer. Part of that is because the league is new and part is because of the heavy restrictions on how many non-US players can be on each team and part is because its in the US where pro-soccer isn't really thought of. Nonetheless, MLS has made some changes to how teams are structured - including loosening the salary cap - that potentially will lure some of the really good players - perhaps not the great ones - to the US. The first evidence of this is the report that David Beckham (yeah, the one the movie's named after) is going to turn down a contract renewal with Real Madrid (one of the top 4 or 5 teams in the world) to play for the LA Galaxy (not one of the best teams in the world).
This would be a good move for Beckham, because he has the looks and glamor associated with him (for the 5 of you that didn't know, he's married to Victoria Beckham a.k.a. Posh Spice) to make him a major star in the US. Since the salary cap has been loosened, he won't have to give up his gigantic salary and will most likely get even more sponsorship deals.
The real question is whether or not his playing for MLS will garner the league any more respect. I tend to think not. Beckham is genuinely a very good player, but he is seen to be in the twilight of his career - there are many players globally that are seen to be better and more desirable than him to have on your team. In fact the one reason Real Madrid want to keep him is because of his fame and the publicity money they get from having him on their team - he doesn't even dress for a lot of games. Because of this perception that his career is in its twilight this move to MLS will be seen as him moving to the retirement village. The equivalent of the 40 year old man that can play against 12 year olds but not 25 year olds. It's unfortunate, because I would like to see professional soccer become a big deal in the US.
This season the NFL has been advertising itself as America's game (juxtaposed to MLB's view as America's pastime). I think that they're right, more people get amped for the NFL season than for the MLB season. As much as I love baseball, there's something special about football season. For soccer to become one of the big 3 or 4 pro sports in the US is going to take a lot. Maybe Becks moving to the US will be a first step in that direction, but I doubt it.
This would be a good move for Beckham, because he has the looks and glamor associated with him (for the 5 of you that didn't know, he's married to Victoria Beckham a.k.a. Posh Spice) to make him a major star in the US. Since the salary cap has been loosened, he won't have to give up his gigantic salary and will most likely get even more sponsorship deals.
The real question is whether or not his playing for MLS will garner the league any more respect. I tend to think not. Beckham is genuinely a very good player, but he is seen to be in the twilight of his career - there are many players globally that are seen to be better and more desirable than him to have on your team. In fact the one reason Real Madrid want to keep him is because of his fame and the publicity money they get from having him on their team - he doesn't even dress for a lot of games. Because of this perception that his career is in its twilight this move to MLS will be seen as him moving to the retirement village. The equivalent of the 40 year old man that can play against 12 year olds but not 25 year olds. It's unfortunate, because I would like to see professional soccer become a big deal in the US.
This season the NFL has been advertising itself as America's game (juxtaposed to MLB's view as America's pastime). I think that they're right, more people get amped for the NFL season than for the MLB season. As much as I love baseball, there's something special about football season. For soccer to become one of the big 3 or 4 pro sports in the US is going to take a lot. Maybe Becks moving to the US will be a first step in that direction, but I doubt it.
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