After six months of anticipation and speculation, the Beckhams have finally landed in Los Angeles. I say Beckhams because Victoria Beckham, formerly Posh Spice of the Spice Girls and now wife of David, is a media entity all of herself.
But as this is the Sports section and not Arts and Entertainment, I will limit my column to Becks himself and his potential impact on soccer in America and not on the fashion statements made by Posh.
The David Beckham who was introduced at the Home Depot Center to the media and the Galaxy season ticket holders on Friday is different from the one who signed a five-year contract worth a reported $250 million on Jan. 11. This Beckham is sharper, more confident, and ““ dare I say it ““ reminiscent of those glory days at Old Trafford with Manchester United.
When Beckham signed his contract with the Galaxy, the move was viewed as the beginning of the end, a sign that the glorious career of England’s golden boy was nearing its conclusion. Reporters and fans in England felt that Beckham was slowly riding off into the sunset with his wife and kids, more focused on his image and Hollywood than his play on the pitch.
And who can blame them? At the time, there was overwhelming evidence that Beckham was not the same player who inspired and awed so many with those free kicks that seemingly never stopped bending.
Beckham stepped down from his position as captain of England’s national team following a disappointing showing in the 2006 World Cup, and then was let go by new coach Steve McClaren. At the same time, Beckham was also struggling with his play with Real Madrid. Beckham, considered one of the greatest players to play the game, could not get off the bench in Madrid, another sign of a somewhat disappointing career in Spain. He was seen as washed-up and finished, and his move to America, the land in which American football reigned, was seen as a Pelé-esque exit strategy.
But all that has changed for the better of America, the MLS and the Galaxy. Beckham arrives on this side of the pond a new player. A player who was reinstated onto England’s national team, helped them to significant wins since, and played a major role in Real Madrid’s capture of the Spanish Primera División, La Liga, in June.
This is a player who is back on top of his game, who has shown that he still possesses those skills that won the admiration of fans across the globe, and who has quieted those who questioned his decision to come to the MLS.
On Friday, Beckham told the Los Angeles Times his reason for coming to America and his goal: “For me, it’s always been about the soccer. My real goal is to take soccer to a different level here. If I can do that, then I’ll be very proud of that.”
It’s about the soccer. Not about the ridiculous amount of money he will make. Not about getting involved in the world of Hollywood. It’s about the soccer. It’s about making the sport relevant in America. It’s about making a sport dominated by soccer moms and Volvos into a sport dominated by superstars and big-name athletes.
It’s a tough assignment and it’s not going to be easy. But I believe that if anyone can do it, it’s Beckham.
And I believe that he has already made a considerable amount of progress. Beckham Galaxy jersey sales have reached 250,000, and people are now aware that there actually is a Major League Soccer organization.
I’m not saying that the MLS will ever pass the NFL, MLB or NBA in terms of popularity, but Beckham will make a positive impact on soccer in America.
Here’s to Beckham bending soccer balls into the hearts of Americans across the country.
E-mail Howard at ahoward@media.ucla.edu if you think he should have written a column about Posh Spice and the Spice Girls’ reunion.