Obviously not a done deal yet, but aside from Corey being crushed, what influence will it have on MLS if he stays in Italy? My feeling is that it will take the pressure off a bit. The sports public felt he was going to be the "saviour of the league." He has proven to be a great draw when LA went on the road and at the HDC, but beyond that and the generated PR, not much. If he goes, the naysayers will be out in full force saying the league is D-U-N, while the league continues to grow with a steady solid business model of SSS venues and a conservative business model. What say you?
I don't know if Beckham is gone for sure but I think, crucially, he wants to be gone. I don't think he wants to come back to LA - his head has been turned and I think he believes he made a mistake in coming to the US. It will cost him a lot of money but MLS/LA would be willing to tear up the contract for the right price. For MLS its not a disaster but its not great either. The will have lost their most prized marketing chip and the naysayers will pile on of course. Having said that, did Beckham bring so much to the table on the pitch anyway? His presense has to be a distraction on the Galaxy and they will probably be better off without him in the long run. He certainly did not, on his own, elevate them to a much better standard. I think the MLS is an entertaining and balanced league and will do fine without him. For my money a player like Darren Huckerby is a much better English import for this league than the Beckham circus would ever be. And I like David Beckham – he was just too big a star for this league at this nascient stage of the league's development. So, to summarize, I would say short term it will be negative, longer term its effect will be negligible/positive.
Given Becks' rather inspired play in Italy, one of three things are clear: 1. MLS is a much better league that it's given credit for, and it honed Beckham's skills to the point where he could walk on to AC Milan and immediately star for him; 2. MLS is so awful that Beckham was completely handicapped by a minor league supporting cast; or 3. Beckham has phoned it in last summer, taking MLS' money to be the face of the league, and little else. Actually, "all of the above" would be a good choice, too. Someone start a poll--we haven't had enough of those around here lately. As for MLS--it's going to be a publicity hit, especially in a biased media which will trumpet his departure at a time when MLS is still achieving less-than-Pele/NASL type crowds as a failure. And the Eurosnobs who deride MLS will also cite his quick exit as "proof" that MLS is an inferior league. For the rest of us, who truly follow the league, it will be a bit disappointing, but, ultimately, one less distraction in the way of appreciating the young, hungry talent in the league.
the key element is the financial collapse and whether the money owed beckham will really exist to keep him in mls.. OR whether he goes because the finances have disappeared... you really think that money is there??
i think you all should be more worried about Donovan leaving for Bayern beckham was a publicity stunt, but donovan was an actual valued player for galaxy, and hes not dissapointing over in Germany this time around(so far), and its a very big possibility. After the last few friendlies i wouldnt mind watching donovan at Bayern for a few more years.
Aren't they basically doing the same thing with him that they got so pissed at Man City about over Kaka?
I think he will go on loan to milan until after the world cup...and then he will come back here to finish his career....i think he feels as if he can play in WC2010...and he has proven that he can...which I think it will be his last hurrah
I read in the press coverage that Victoria is dead-set against a whole-sale move to a foreign language country with the three boys. Apparently while Becks was loving Real, she and the boys werent. Whats gonna give? Even if hes happy on the pitch, i wouldnt want to come home to a pissed off sporty spice. All this talk about money, and transfers, and loans, and the two people who seem to matter, Arena - who continues to say flatly that his stars are on loan until March 8th, and Victoria - who holds the keys to happiness off the pitch - both seem to be saying that AC is temporary and hes committed to LA. At least IMO, until the summer....
Please, in the interest of keeping this debate relevant and factual please don't use the wrong names. Victoria was "POSH" Spice. Thank you.
Honestly, Donovan is a better player than Becks. I love the guy to death don't get me wrong, but LD is the one that the Galaxy will really miss if they both end up staying in Europe.
Donovan is a better player than Becks - I disagree. Donovan is more important to the Galaxy - totally agree.
donovan and beckham are far different players.. bechkam gets the ball to the guy when and where they need him.. donovan is a guy who plays in space, a decent finisher.. you really need both types to succeed.. usmnt don't have a player to get the ball where it needs to be.. adu, actually is the closest
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=620188&sec=europe&cc=5901 Just like I said....he's gonna stay on loan until the world cup and then come back so we can boo his A$$