haha....beckham is DOWN

[opie's twisted balls]

Beckham tears achilles (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-beckham-injury-20100315,0,2305213.story)
boofuckinghoo....IMO one of the most overrated athletes on the planet

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2010-03/52738620.jpg

[smiler grogan]

I dont care much about soccer or Beckham but I feel for anyone who tears the achilles, thats a terrible injury.

[KingGeno]

I don't see the humor with this topic. Is the OP jealous?

[Melk]

I feel bad for the Galaxy. The Galaxy will have an okay season with him, but their ticket sales may lag. England will do well without him, not because Beckham sucks but because there are many young up-and-comers who are ready to take advantage of the opportunity.

If Jozy Altidore or Landon Donovan are injured, the US is in a bind due to a lack of players with quality international experience. England should be more than fine.

[epo]

I'm sorry, but this is a hideous tone. Beckham is one of the all-time greats in soccer and was bringing alot of international attention to the MLS (making him worth even dime).

This is horrible news for American/International sport, much less the personal cost for any athlete.

[opie's twisted balls]

thats a terrible injury
From personal experience its wasn't so much painful as it was very very disturbing to feel it snap and then seeing my calf muscle contracted into a ball.

I don't see the humor with this topic. Is the OP jealous?
What's to be jealous about. In all respects he's in a completely different world then mine so its not as though I'm trying to compete with or compare my life to his. My "haha" wasn't so much written with the intent of humor but rather the Nelson Muntz Schadenfreudesque sense (so I guess I should have typed it haw-haw).


I'm sorry, but this is a hideous tone. Beckham is one of the all-time greats in soccer and was bringing alot of international attention to the MLS (making him worth even dime).

This is horrible news for American/International sport, much less the personal cost for any athlete.
"hideous tone"?? ehh....whatever

My dislike of Beckham is along the same lines as the loathing some people have for guys like Sidney Crosby. There's no denying he's (Beckham) was an amazing athlete but the attention and hype he's received for much of his recent career has been unwarranted.

[Death Metal Moe]

I never understood why people hate this guy so much. Is it because he's beloved by the media? Is it his marriage to Posh? Is it something to do with the actual sport of Soccer that I don't understand because I know nothing of sports, least of all Soccer?

Either way, the guy's probably a decent athlete. I think he'd have to have some skill to get on the radar at all.

Also, he's one of two players I could actually name that play Soccer, knowing nothing of the sport. The other one is Pele. That's worth something.

[epo]

You can piss on Beckham or his career however you want, but his importance to American soccer is immeasurable. The reason that American soccer players are finally getting real opportunities to play overseas is the exposure/credibility that Beckham brought.

Right now the talk of the English Premier League is Landon Donavon, who got exposed to such a high level because of Beckham playing in MLS. This is seen as only the start of this trend.

Is Beckham the player he was in his 20s? Not even close. But he still brings a level of exposure & credibility to American soccer that is gold to those players.

[A.J.]

Maybe he could shove one of his wife's horrid implants in there to cushion the tendons and bones.

[Melk]

I never understood why people hate this guy so much. Is it because he's beloved by the media? Is it his marriage to Posh? Is it something to do with the actual sport of Soccer that I don't understand because I know nothing of sports, least of all Soccer?
Soccer has a lot of vocal fans who hate when a great player is overshadowed by what they believe to be an inferior player. I think it is a combination these things:

1) He is handsome (which by extension leads to accusations of homosexuality).

2) He has played for financial juggernaut football franchises that soccer purists hate (Manchester United, Real Madrid, etc).

3) He isn't as aggressive in international competition as he should be.

4) He is too aggressive in international competition earning red cards when we need him for penalty kicks the most (you know, because he is a crap player but is great at PKs).

5) He "overshadows" players believed to be his superior (Rooney, Ronaldinho, Donovan...).

6) He is married to a woman of questionable talent and taste.

7) He doesn't try hard unless he is playing outside of the UK or US.

8) His name was featured in the title of a movie targeted at teenage girls promoting the ideas of girl power and American women's soccer (despised among football purists).

Now, do I agree with the hate. No, but I get where it comes from.

[opie's twisted balls]

You can piss on Beckham or his career however you want, but his importance to American soccer is immeasurable. The reason that American soccer players are finally getting real opportunities to play overseas is the exposure/credibility that Beckham brought.
The reality, at least from my POV, is that soccer despite being hugely popular as an amateur sport (largely because its cheap for the parents) has decades to go before it makes it to the same standing as football, baseball and hockey (at least in some markets) in North America. I think that because Beckham arrived in LA with such hype and so under-delivered it actually set the sport back.

[Melk]

I think that because Beckham arrived in LA with such hype and so under-delivered it actually set the sport back.
I agree, but I only hold Beckham partially responsible for the problem. LA could've used Beckham more sparingly in their initial advertising. The broadcasting partners could've tried to educate the fans about Beckham's history as a player. I think the MLS and the Galaxy counted on name recognition and didn't think about building on that.

Many of the MLS clubs play a hyper-aggressive unorganized game that is difficult for football fans to watch and even more difficult for new viewers to understand.

The passing strategies of many MLS teams would make the uneducated viewer believe that passing and touching the ball is unbelievable difficult.

[Snoogans]

he didnt set the MLS back. he gave them alot. Maybe not here in the US, but he at least let the world know about the MLS. he mad alot of money for them, bet your ass on it

[Melk]

he didnt set the MLS back. he gave them alot. Maybe not here in the US, but he at least let the world know about the MLS. he mad alot of money for them, bet your ass on it
I think Beckham increased awareness. The only problem is that his first season injury crippled a lot of the MLS's international TV deals.

Everton owes a lot to the MLS... well, up till two weeks ago when Landon ended his loan.

[NickyL0885]

Beckham draws crowds at every away game he goes too. He has worked wonders for MLS. Thierry Henry, a well known player who has played for huge clubs, is supposed to be the next big player to come to MLS after his contact at Barcelona ends. I don't think he'd consider MLS if Beckham never came. MLS is doing the smart thing, but putting new teams is great soccer markets. Seattle last year, Philly this year, Portland and Vancouver next year. Seattle draws, i think, 30,000+ a game. They also have Freddie Ljungberg, who I dont think would have came without Beckham being here.

[Snoogans]

I think Beckham increased awareness. The only problem is that his first season injury crippled a lot of the MLS's international TV deals.

Everton owes a lot to the MLS... well, up till two weeks ago when Landon ended his loan.

he didnt end his loan. and it just ended, cause he played yesterday

[Snoogans]

Beckham draws crowds at every away game he goes too. He has worked wonders for MLS. Thierry Henry, a well known player who has played for huge clubs, is supposed to be the next big player to come to MLS after his contact at Barcelona ends. I don't think he'd consider MLS if Beckham never came. MLS is doing the smart thing, but putting new teams is great soccer markets. Seattle last year, Philly this year, Portland and Vancouver next year. Seattle draws, i think, 30,000+ a game. They also have Freddie Ljungberg, who I dont think would have came without Beckham being here.

not having a basketball team in seattle has helped the sounders alot

[Melk]

he didnt end his loan. and it just ended, cause he played yesterday
You're right. That's what happens when I watch the Premier League Preview and Highlight shows. The announcers love to emphasize finality. So, they kept saying final goal during the previous show without explaining they meant last game at Everton's home pitch.

[Snoogans]

You're right. That's what happens when I watch the Premier League Preview and Highlight shows. The announcers love to emphasize finality. So, they kept saying final goal during the previous show without explaining they meant last game at Everton's home pitch.

yea i noticed that too. fuck it, based on what its lookin like, he isnt even leavin.


STIKE FOOLS, PLEASE

[Melk]

Beckham draws crowds at every away game he goes too. He has worked wonders for MLS. Thierry Henry, a well known player who has played for huge clubs, is supposed to be the next big player to come to MLS after his contact at Barcelona ends. I don't think he'd consider MLS if Beckham never came. MLS is doing the smart thing, but putting new teams is great soccer markets. Seattle last year, Philly this year, Portland and Vancouver next year. Seattle draws, i think, 30,000+ a game. They also have Freddie Ljungberg, who I dont think would have came without Beckham being here.
We'll see if there is a player who has the domestic value that Beckham has. As far as international recognition, I would say that Christiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and (MAYBE) Shunsuke Nakamura would be a big international get for the MLS.

I am basing this opinion on two things:
1) Known by non-soccer fans in countries other than their own.
2) Has a strong base in countries other their their own.

I think the MLS or even international soccer will never really take off because many sports reporters in the states openly hate soccer and will not discuss it on-air. (Many reporters refuse to discuss ice hockey).

It is a shame, because I am so tired of the NFL and the NBA.

[Melk]

yea i noticed that too. fuck it, based on what its lookin like, he isnt even leavin.


STRIKE FOOLS, PLEASE
The Russians will outbid Everton, I fear. And with the Galaxy down a superstar they are going to hold onto him Donovan with vice grips.

The MLS Players are not stupid enough to strike.

[hereintheUK]

I never understood the bad feelings towards Beckham either. He would have been a huge part of our World Cup Campaign here in England. He makes a fantastic impact player to bring on as a sub. I think he'll be there in some capacity. By all accounts he's a fantastic character to have around the squad and a level head.

It's a pointless argument, apparently been sold by Man Utd to Real Madrid is proof he's shit. He may well have been over-hyped, but he was/is a great player. Maybe this is the end of his playing career. If he's out for longer than 4-5 months then LA will probably put him on long term injury and sign a replacement.

Equally as repugnant as the media hype is the obsession we have of attempting to belittle achievements. The fact that he was a great player is undisputable. His passing range, crossing etc was formerly amongst the best in the world. Managers from Ferguson to Capello (club and country) have said it enough times, and he's certainly done well for himself on the field not just off it.

[sailor]

You can piss on Beckham or his career however you want, but his importance to American soccer is immeasurable. The reason that American soccer players are finally getting real opportunities to play overseas is the exposure/credibility that Beckham brought.

there have always been big-name players from the US in europe, most noticeably goalies, but in the way-back cobi jones was in england and lalas did a stint in italy, to name two. i think for a while the establishment thought the best route to go was to keep the players here to build mls, but now they are looking more to the individual development of players overseas. i don't think beckham shed any light on the fact that we were over here.

[hereintheUK]

My team Leeds United has an American playing too. You probably haven't heard of him though. A New York kid called Mike Grella. He's represented the US at under 20 international level. He's used as a sub mostly right now because we have two great strikers in Jermain Beckford and Luciano Beccio.

We are in the third tier of English football right now but hopefully will get promoted this year. Currently second in the league which would give us an automatic promotion spot into the Championship. We did beat Manchester United at old trafford in the FA cup this year though.

It's sometimes funny to hear chants of USA-USA-USA when the crowd at Elland Road think it's time to bring on Grella as a sub. Always makes me smile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Grella

[Melk]

It's a pointless argument, apparently been sold by Man Utd to Real Madrid is proof he's shit. He may well have been over-hyped, but he was/is a great player. Maybe this is the end of his playing career. If he's out for longer than 4-5 months then LA will probably put him on long term injury and sign a replacement.
I think that Manchester United is a lot like the Yankees in the MLB or the Lakers in the NBA. Sometimes the resentment of the team leads to a hatred of the player. I assume the world is a little Beckhamed out, to a certain extent.

My soccer buddies are fans of Cardiff City, West Ham, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Celtic. All I hear is hatred for the big five Premier League sides (though I am rather partial to Liverpool).

I'm a little surprised that a Leeds fan would be so calm about Manchester United's dominance. Since no professional league in the states has relegation, I cannot know the pressures of watching my favorite team dwindle beyond last place, much less two times. There again, your team stomped them in the FA Cup, right?

[Melk]

there have always been big-name players from the US in europe, most noticeably goalies, but in the way-back cobi jones was in england and lalas did a stint in italy, to name two. i think for a while the establishment thought the best route to go was to keep the players here to build mls, but now they are looking more to the individual development of players overseas. i don't think beckham shed any light on the fact that we were over here.
The MLS is missing something. It isn't international players, though they can help. More teams need to develop consistent playing styles. Most of the sides run the ball up the pitch as quickly as possible and are licked by the second half. Getting better coaches and giving the individual players chances to condition themselves playing for international sides is the way to go. We need the Howards, McBrides, Altidores, Adus, etc to get international time. The US national team didn't defeat Spain in the Confederations Cup due to a lack of familiarity.

As a Chicago Fire fan, I had to endure moving from the impressive Juan Carlos Osorio strong defensive team (who was taken from the Fire via fraud) to Dennis Hamlett's unorganized pass-and-pray strategy. I want to see an MLS team other than Dallas and Salt Lake City have success with passing.

I wouldn't mind seeing the MLS clubs in Konami's PES games. EA's FIFA stinks!

[Dude!]

Beckham and Posh seem to be
very good parents
i like them

[Snoogans]

The Russians will outbid Everton, I fear. And with the Galaxy down a superstar they are going to hold onto him Donovan with vice grips.

The MLS Players are not stupid enough to strike.

its not about the bidding, Donovan still would have to agree to go there. The only team id worry about outbidding Everton would be Chelsea. He isnt goin to another country