Normally, I wouldn't mention this, but Webmaster Andrew's project to collect major American newspapers and show Arsenal how much coverage the EPL gets over here has me on the lookout for things like this. USA Today has an article on its front page today talking about how David Beckham is the most popular athlete in the world, except in the U.S. It talks about it in the context of how "Bend it Like Beckham" is becoming pretty popular over here. Here's the link to the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/world/2003-05-08-beckham_x.htm Ironically, despite ESPN's best efforts to make them "America's English Team", there is no mention of ManUre winning (or rather us losing) the title. The funniest part of the article is how Sir Rednose is portrayed as an absolute prick. The article talked about how Beckham missed practice to care for his sick son, then, in the same breath, mentions how Fergie benched him for the next match. And, yes, it does mention "bootgate".
Becks is one of my favourite players e/t he plays for ManU. I'm actually going to watch the ManU vs. Celtic game in Seattle (cheering for Celtic of course) and likely will wear my England Becks shirt. Of course it would've been a better trip if ManU weren't champs but oh well. Man, if ManU do let go of Becks, at least do it after the tour! I can totally see Becks going to Real. Real wants to increase it's exposure to the World like ManU so Becks may be the way to go. W.
I do get rather tired of the assertion that nobody in tehe US knows, or before Bend it Like Beckham nobody knew, who David Beckaham is. He's less known here than elsewhere sure, but he's hardly unknown. Many a Joe Six-Pack may not know him but many many more do.
As I said, I only brought it up because Andrew at ArsenalAmerica is going to be sitting down with the Arsenal to show them that the Premiership gets virtually no coverage in the U.S. I also think this article somewhat points out (although it loses that focus about halfway through) that soccer/football still has a long way to go in this country before it reaches mainstream status. Well, that and it's one of the first articles I've read since "bootgate" where Fergie was portrayed as what he really is: an absolute arse.
can anyone tell someting. Wasnt it usatoday who wrote a story some months ago how utd didnt have the guts to play us sides in this tour?
Of course, it's the conservation-of-face principle in action. Lose to Juve in front of 75,000 people and it's still a rousing success. You've sold out an American football stadium. You've brought world-class football enlightenment to the untamed territory. And half the 10-year-old boys will leave the stadium with a Becks T-shirt. Plus, it's a great way to start your summer holiday. Lose to the MetroStars in front of 35,000 and it's an unmitigated failure. No sell-out. Reverse enlihtenment. And those kids talking about Clint Mathis! That's no way to start a vacation. -G. Rex
Oh, yeah - here's the link: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/columnist/dure/2002-12-10-dure_x.htm I'll bet SAF doesn't know or care who Beau Dure is. But I bet the Champions Tour people will give him a cold shoulder. -G. Rex
im not an american so can you tell me something is he considered a good writer? and are his other pieces similarly smart?