Beckham is a wimp who disgraces the name of soccer/European football. He was a has-been when he left Manu for Real, and now he is a shadow of his former self. Roby Baggio at 41 can run circles around this buffoon.

I'm not saying he's setting the world on fire, but have you seen Beckham play at all? He does things with the ball others don't do, and he controls the game in a way others don't.

In, short, Beckham's value can't be measured in goals scored, or even in wins and losses. If that's how America's soccer-illiterate media is intent on judging his impact, then I agree, he will be a colossal failure. But if you look at the scores of fans who have come out to watch him play, the unprecedented media exposure for the league and the merchandise sales (not to mention how much better he makes the players around him) then Beckham is already a success.
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Dave,

Thanks for writing and weighing in on Beckham. No one is arguing that he's not a skilled athlete. But there is a definite impatience on the part of the America sports public, especially the casual soccer enthusiast who needs to be wooed. The flush of marketing success will end quickly and the crowds will evaporate if interest in Beckham turns to apathy. Look, sports departments that I've been charge of at smaller papers have won awards for soccer coverage so I am fond of the sport and wish it's followers well although I'm not an expert. But the Beckham thing is tettering on becoming a fiasco -- and a big reason, I think, is this trans-Atlantic juggling act he's trying to pull off.
-- Bill O.

Even with the injured ankle Beckham put the ball on a dime like Manning completing a pass. How many assists in how many games? Yeah, he is on the backside of his career, but is still one of, if not the best crosser of the ball in the world.

stupid article
and stupid comment byMurrayslaw

Beckham's knee injury (probably an MCL sprain) is a big disappointment. But Beckham was signed to bring attention to the league and his team through his celebrity status as much for his on the field performance.

The LA Galaxy is one of the worst teams in Major League Soccer but anyone who stayed tuned in after the Beckham injury last night saw a great game. Journeyman Chris Klein scored his best ever goal to tie the game right at the end. It may have been the best goal anyone for the Galaxy has ever scored (by the way the Galaxy HAVE had some pretty good teams in the past). And both keepers made outstanding saves throughout the game to bail their teams out during the 120-minute match.

I'm a DC United fan in Arlington, VA who normally enjoys a bad performance from the Galaxy. But last night they played very well and can be proud of their efforts.

Injuries happen and Beckham's right knee sprain had nothing to do with his previous left ankle injury.
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Joel,
Thanks for writing. Injuries are part of the game -- every game. And Beckham can't be blamed for getting hurt in the line of duty. It really is just bad luck. But I'll repreat what I said before ... if this initial momentum is to be maintained and help the cause of American soccer overall, I believe he has to concentrate on MLS. I don't think even fans in L.A. give a hoot about what he does for England in European qualifiers.
-- Bill O.

This is a really stupid column. Beckham "falling on his face will set back soccer in a profound way..." Really? Soccer wasn't in that bad of shape before he got here. And how can he "fall on his face 2 months into a 5 year contract. What a stupid thing to suggest.
Beckham has played well and bravely since his arrival. And the league has gotten better and brought good players other than Beckham. But I'm sure this ... has paid no attention to that.

Becks kicks butt.
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Mark,

Thanks for writing and I'm glad people are engaged by this topic because I find it to be fascinatiing. I don't know that you recall that players such as Pele and Beckenbauer were brought here to make the NASL a major player on the American sports scene and despite playing, as you suggest, bravely -- those players helped the Cosmos to a fistful of championships -- the enterprise fell apart. And do you really think Beckham is going to play out this five -year contract? Whatever good he does, will have to be in the next couple of years. My point is simply this, he has to make an impact fairly quickly to move the sport in this country beyond its current fan base. Soccer has a what is now a 30-year history in the states of being immensely popular as a youth sport but failing to capture a substantial portion of American discretionary sports spending. And THAT, I argue is why he's here -- not to just make pretty passes. And that involves him playing regularly, playing well and helping an AMERICAN team succeed. There is a larger picture I'm trying to address. But I happy to see passionate soccer fans like yourself join the discussion.
-- Bill O.

I am upset to be reading this and can't believe how quickly the US bubble has burst for Beckham.

LA Galaxy, from my understanding are a team, not one individual. It is not an individual game, it takes a squad of hard working players to work together to win matches. Beckham is the kind of player who will give everything he can do unite a squad and bring fear to the opponents, but the TEN other men on the field are just as important.

Anyone who knows anything about soccer, or football will know that injuries are a common occurrence to players and lay-off's of 3 to 4 weeks are not uncommon, particuarly when you unselfishly rush back from injury without fully recovering.

Beckham was playing the form of his life when he left Spain and WILL deliver if you giver him time to get fully fit, rather than pushing him into games to try and make a quick buck on the Beckham franchise.

If you want to see a performing seal, go to the zoo, if you want to see the icon David Beckham, look at a billboard, but if you want to see a soccer match and support your team, then feel free to do so irrespective of one individual.

America, just give him a chance!
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Rich,
A tip of the hat ... well said. You would make a great barrister.
-- Bill O.

I bought a subscription to MLSLive.tv to follow Beckham's exploits. I was a big fan of MLS when it began in 1996, but stopped following it when I moved away from DC. Now, the Beckham story has me paying attention, and may just get me watching a lot more. Every night now I check to see what match is on, and I watch the live stream on my computer. And, if I had more money, I'd purchase a subscription to Fox Soccer Channel.

What ticks me off about Beckham is how he's trying to continue on with his England glory. Last week's stunt didn't do anything for England (who lost to Germany) and it didn't do anything for the Galaxy when he played them on the Thursday.

What I want to see now is David Beckham continuing to train and to recover and to recuperate with the Galaxy. I want to see him on the sidelines at every match. I want to see him yelling at the players to do their best. I want him to put the team that's paying him a lot of money first.

I feel one reason soccer doesn't find a larger audience in the U.S. is that most mainstream media outlets constantly frame their story as "Why doesn't soccer do well in the US?" Never mind that many American businessmen see an economic value to purchasing teams in the English Premier League. As a final point, I bet many people don't know that many MLS teams are quietly aligning themselves with football powerhouses throughout the rest of the world. For instance, the Colorado Rapids have a marketing and training agreement with Arsenal F.C.
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Sean,
You make excellent points about U.S. investment in soccer abroad and the affiliation between U.S. soccer interests and the much more evolved soccer universe in the UK.
-- Bill O.

David Beckham is not immortal, apposed to popular belief he is a footballer. Beckham has taken a considerable step down in class since joining MLS, in a recent game I watched the highlights of in the UK, probably the worst challenge of his career was bestowed upon him, short of a few handbags at 10 paces, he put his head down and got on with the job. Spare a thought for his ex-England team mate Kieran Dyer – Two weeks after signing for a new club for a fee in excess of ($12,000,000) and probably $150,000 per week, has broke his leg in two places, putting him out for the entire season. Now that’s unlucky.