Off the field, I agree as he definitely put the league on the global map.. As a player on the pitch, I don't think so.
Initially he did but not so much in 2011 or 12 when the novelty wore off. At least I didn't recall seeing the numbers as high as they were in 2007/08. Quakes GM Dave Kaval actually stated David refused to play at Buck Shaw in San Jose and Bruce Arena said 50k showed up at Stanford on July 4th weekend to see David which wasn't exactly true. The Galaxy traditionally drew and draws well in San Jose but mostly because they are the Quakes main rival. The traditional fireworks show also brought and still brings out the fans on a yearly basis to the annual game. David picked a fight with the Quakes mascot in one game they lost at Stanford.
It was my favorite mascot moment until Phang did drugs during Pride Month. 🏳️🌈✖️#DOOP#Pride Festivities kick off tonight! 👉 https://t.co/2NHOqkAOT4@PhilaUnionPhang | Pride Night presented by @VSPC pic.twitter.com/QlImW1VgIC— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 7, 2019
Totally. Other reptiles have them, so no worries. But hair? That's just unnatural. (so says a balding guy)
There was that year he tore his achilles. So **** Beckham. He should have played with a torn achilles. Also one of the greatest MLS moments
Just looked it up and Beckham played 5 games in 2007, 25 in 2008 and they tied the Quakes for last in the league. That was when they hired and fired Ruud Gullit. He then went on loan to Milan and played 11 times in 2009, got injured while at loan at Milan in 2010 and came back and played 7 games for the Galaxy that year. He really didn't play that many MLS games from 2007-2010 so its kind of hard to sell out stadiums when you are not playing. I also remember him picking a fight with a few local LA fans who were mad that he went on loan to Milan and another guy in KC who wore an England shirt making fun of Victoria. I still don't recall this great enthusiasm though when the novelty of his signing wore off. The Galaxy didn't really win anything until they got Robbie Keane in 2011 & 2012. Can't believe 7 years have past since he played his last MLS game. Many of today's teens under 15-16 by now probably can't recall him in MLS. Looking back, if his signing had anything to do with the where the league is at now, he should be given credit. I don't know if either San Jose and the PNW teams will have put forth a team if Beckham hadn't signed. The league has grown considerably ever since. Not sure if LA2, NY2, Philly , Cincy and Atlanta will have had teams had he not put the league on the map.
Poor little Servando. His wife will make a lifetime of salaries this summer alone. He actually has a good deal going.
Sure there was a drop off in the 2009 and 2010, but still sold out 10/17 in 2008 and 7/17 in 2010. Away games that sold out 2007....3/3 2008....15/15 2009....10/17 2010....7/17 2011....16/17 2012....13/17 So it didn't wear off if 2011-12 they actually did pretty good, they sold out 29/34 away games. Some of the crowds in 2011 @ DC 26,622 @ Toronto 22,453 @ FC Dallas 21,867 @ Vancouver 27,500 @ Kansas City 20,512 @ Houston 30,018 Some of the crowds in 2012 @ Kansas City 20,323 @ Colorado 19,152 @ Seattle 39,002 @ Montreal 60,860 @ Houston 22,039 @ San Jose 50,391 @ FC Dallas 22,565 @ Seattle 60,908
Yeah ok but I think those numbers are a little misleading. I still don't believe those crowds were solely due to the fact that Beckham was playing (if he actually did) but mostly because it was the LA Galaxy. I don't know about other teams but as far as San Jose is concerned , they always draw 50k at Stanford against the Galaxy for their annual fireworks show. LA since 1996 has also always been their biggest draw and rival. Doing a quick search, without Beckham or after he retired, these are the Quakes numbers against the Galaxy. 2013-San Jose 3–2 Los Angeles 50,028 2014 San Jose 0–1 Los Angeles 50,006 2014 Los Angeles 2–2 San Jose 10,525 (Buck Shaw) 2015 San Jose3–1 Los Angeles 50,422 2015 San Jose 1–0 Los Angeles 18,000 (Avaya) 2016 San Jose 1–1 Los Angeles 50,816 2017 San Jose 2–4 Los Angeles 18,000 (Avaya) 2017 San Jose 2–1 Los Angeles 50,617 2018 San Jose 3–3 Los Angeles 50,743 Here are the numbers from the Galaxy's 2014 MLS Cup winning season w/out Beckham and their away attendance numbers seem healthy nor do I see that big of a difference. March 22 Real Salt Lake1–1 LA Galaxyhide Sandy, Utah: 20,466 April 19 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2–2 LA Galaxy 21,000 May 3 Colorado Rapids 1–0 LA Galaxy 14,040 May 11 Portland Timbers 1–1 LA Galaxy 20,804 May 17 Houston Dynamo 1–0 LA Galaxy 22,233 June 1 Chicago Fire 1–1 LA Galaxy 17,487 June 28 San Jose Earthquakes 0–1 LA Galaxy 50,006 July 19 Sporting Kansas City 2–1 LA Galaxy 21,493 July 28 Seattle Sounders FC 0–3 LA Galaxy 39,304 August 16 Columbus Crew 4–1 LA Galaxy: 20,729 August 20 Colorado Rapids 3–4 LA Galaxy 14,011 September 10 Montreal Impact 2–2 LA Galaxy 13,916 September 14 San Jose Earthquakes 1–1 LA Galaxy 10,525 buck shaw October 12 FC Dallas 2–1 LA Galaxy 19,039 October 25 Seattle Sounders FC 2–0 LA Galaxy 57,673 November 1 Real Salt Lake 0–0 LA Galaxy 20,713 November 30 Seattle Sounders FC 2–1 LA Galaxy 46,758 Again, I'm not saying his signing didn't change the league, that his name wasn't a draw or that he wasn't an impact to a point. I still believe though that the Galaxy as a rule , are and traditionally have been a great draw as they are the best team in the league with top players.
Oh, I agree; it's hardly surprising that Beckham sold his interest in the club. It was entirely predictable. The only surprise is that he didn't even wait for there to actually BE a club. The reasonable presumption was that he'd stick around for the launch, maybe two years or so, and then cash out. Instead,pretty much as soon as the league formally announced the team, he's over at the cashier's window. This is hardly what MLS had in mind when they offered him the $25 million deal. They surely wanted him around for cachet going forward, and have paid dearly for that: Becks just beat them out of $175 million. And yes, they are saying he'll be involved, or be the face or whatever, but come on. If he's not invested, he's not going to be around signing autographs and posing for selfies; he'll be in London with his kids, or Gstaad or the Cote d'Azur or on a superyacht off the coast of Greece, not hanging around watching Miami FC play San Jose on a Saturday night. Just to say it is to point out how absurd it is. Becks is just waiting for his bestie, Prince William, to get the throne so that he can be knighted. It won't be long. And how often does one seriously expect Sir David (or Lord Beckham) to shlepp his way to an MLS game? He and Vicky have used and abused MLS and made a fool of Don Garber, and will laugh all the way to the Bank of London with the lovely $175million parting gift.
Initially, I think Don Garber loved Beckham and what he brought to the table. Not so sure if he feels the same way now. Like Pele, Beckham he has become a good ambassador for the game in this country and MLS. I think the league will have grown sooner or later but not at the pace it has since his signing in 2007.
I wasn't watching MLS when DB was around but I think his biggest contribution was the DP. I don't think NYCFC would be a thing without Lampard and Villa.
I agree. Neither Pirlo , Lampard , Villa or the other superstars will have come to MLS had it not been for Beckham. I'm also questioning if there will have been a second team in NY not to mention the rapid expansion.
If we really want to be technically correct, the the Beckham statue should be outside mls headquarters not the Home Depot center