Despite not having cable (and thus, no ESPN) in the Mills household, we were somehow blessed to receive ESPN2. And although the Deuce sometimes garbage like poker and nascar, last night I got to see David Beckham lead the LA Galaxy over the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS. Beckham played beautifully (1 goal, 1 assist) and would have had at least two more dimes if he was dishing to Wayne Rooney rather than Andy Rooney.
The problem with America's reception of Becks is that most thought Beckham was a goal scorer when he crossed the pond last year. Yes, Beckham can score when he needs to; in reality though, he's the Steve Nash of soccer--not the Kobe Bryant. Also, he played last season on a new continent, with two injuries, and a wife planning a comeback. So expect a season of beautifully sewn passes from a guy who's slightly better looking than me.
Kudos to you David Beckham. You played last season on a jacked up knee and ankle, you're unselfish, and a good sport.
How would you change soccer to increase its popularity in the US?
10 comments:
I agree with your opinion on Dave (we're close) I find it interesting to see the difference in quality between himself and other MLS players. When he receives the ball in midfield and surveys the defense, he does so with much more class and patience than others. His crosses and long balls are what make his game special.
I really am surprised that a colorful comment about his wife didn't sneak in there. :) I can't believe you don't get ESPN. Too bad for you. Melissa is so lucky!
As I've expressed before, I loathe soccer, but I would bend it with Beckham. He is H-O-T!
Maybe the soccer players should stop being such babies when they get "hurt" and then people would be interested in watching the sport. I'm sure if they played without shirts on that would boost their ratings for the female audience also.
It is amazing how when he gets the ball, all he has to do is look upfield for about half a second, and then he kicks it 50 yards on a dime. The other players get so panicked when they get the ball their first instinct is the 50 yard kick directly out of bounds.
I do find it interesting that this post about David Beckham draws more comments than most other posts. I think Man-ologue has tapped into the unkown market--women.
MLS definitely needs to soften up on Offsides. No cherry picking obviously, but it gives the defenders such an advantage when they determine how far down field the forwards can go w/o the ball. Maybe it should only be offsides when there are two forwards past the last defender. There is no offsides in basketball, and that leads to exciting fast breaks, not cherry picking.
I think it would mix things up to implement a little hockey on the pitch. Bookings result in time in the penalty box instead of the ridiculous arguing between the official and the offender. And why not allow for line changes instead of the 3-sub rule? It would only speed the game up, and it would kinda look like tag-team wrestling when the guy being tagged sprints onto the ring and starts dominating. There's already enough WWE-esque theatrics, they might as well make some of it useful.
My main beef with soccer is that the players are WUSSES...or at least they have to act like they are. It makes the game move extra slow. There aren't enough opps to score.
Fox Soccer Channel shows indoor games on Friday nights. It allows for shifts, like hockey, and they call penalties and have power plays. It's a weird combo.
Hmmm, so I guess my ideas aren't that original. I thought I was really smart for a minute there.
What's indoor soccer like? It seems way too fast to watch. I played in the cultural hall during Hurricane Charley on my mission, but that's the extent of my exposure.
I prefer to play indoor soccer, but the broadcast seems sterile and boring - like an indoor football game compared to the NFL. The draw for me to Euro soccer matches is the atmoshpere and flowing action. Indoor is like a free for all hockey game where the bounce of the ball determines too much luck. I saw Tony Meola from the early 90's US National team in goal for a New York team, so that was interesting. Vegas had an indoor team for a while, but they may have moved. MISL search on wiki was pretty informative - who knew the KiXX won the last champion?
There's no cable in our Mills household either ;)
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