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AC Milan English soccer star David Beckham waves to fans after a Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 8, 2009. The Los Angeles Galaxy announced late Saturday, March 7, 2009, that it had struck a 'multimillion dollar deal' to enable the former England captain to remain with the Italian Serie A club until the season ends, then return to the Galaxy in July. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The soap opera that is the life of David Beckham has taken another turn as today it was announced the soccer 'diva' would stay in Italy and play with AC Milan until the conclusion of their season. This might well mean that the unloyal star will return to the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer for the first time this year when Seattle Sounders FC play in LA on August 15th. Beckham will miss the only Galaxy match at Qwest Field in Seattle on May 10th.
Despite telling a world-wide media audience "I’m really grateful to the LA Galaxy and AC Milan for making this dream deal happen, It allows me to play for AC Milan and the LA Galaxy in the same year, and also to continue my commitment to develop soccer in the United States, which is something I am passionate about," many fans see this as a slight on an American club and thus the American game.
Many Sounders FC fans are like many soccer fans in America, fed up with this under-producing drama king who can seem only to elevate his game amongst higher caliber players, not elevate lesser players around him to a higher skill. Beckham's second year in MLS saw his form slip from his first.
Prost Amerika Soccer writes: LA Galaxy are being resilient in the face of the public ridicule, trying to spin that this was a good deal. They do get a glamour friendly with Milan and some compensation but perhaps the Galaxy’s only relief is that they didn’t end up completely humiliated and empty handed.
The hardest thing to have done would be for Beckham to honor his American commitment. He chose to buy his way out and leave the American league to ponder how such deals might be avoided in the future.
For some Seattle soccer fans it will be a disappointment to not see Beckham in action at Qwest Field in 2009. His visit to Seattle in 2006 with Real Madrid drew a sell out crowd of 66,000. Beckham left Manchester United in 2003 the week the Red Devils were preparing to come to Seattle for a match against Celtic. The Qwest crowd taunted Manchester United with chants of "Where's your Beckham gone!"
Perhaps those chants will be recycled when the Galaxy come to Seattle on May 10th.
Are you disappointed Beckham won't visit Seattle this year? Are you upset at the way he has treated Major League Soccer? Leave your comments.
Comments
Beckham has a very short attention span. it is sad when these types of players 'get what they want' at the expense of other fans.
Lack of loyalty is ugly
I just don't see how he can sincerely say he cares about American soccer and the Galaxy while at the same time putting his own wishes and AC Milan FIRST. Kind of like saying "I love you Posh, but I am spending the night with Madonna and A-Rod."
I'm glad that MLS/Galaxy made the deal. Now, if they will do what they should have done in the first place, it could be a happy ending. The Galaxy failed to put together a team that was competitive and failed to make the playoffs. No single player can ensure victory in soccer. It is a team sport. Beckham was brought in to create offense, which he did. Donovan and Buddle had career offensive years with Beckham as the creator of opportunities. The Galaxy scored the most goals of last years competition. They also had the worst backline and goal-keeping in the MLS and yielded the most goals. Other teams with designated players were able to put together adequate defences. Why couldn't the Galaxy? With Arena as coach, there is a 'chance' that the Galaxy can develop a stronger defence for when Beckham returns. If they do, the Galaxy could make a run at the playoffs and in the playoffs anything is possible. Imagine if Beckham went ou like he did at Real Madrid with a Championship. Remember dreams are a basic part of being a fan.
"Lack of loyalty is ugly." Of course it is, if the loyalty is reciprocated. Owners are not loyal to players, fans, or communities. Fans are not loyal to teams. They boo when they lose and cheer when they win. They cheer the star today and demand his transfer the next. Players are no more loyal or disloyal than all the other participants in the sports enterprise.
Don, are you a Galaxy fan in LA? Any sense on how he'll be greeted by fans when he comes back in August?
Totally agree with Don. He is doing 'good' before The Gals and is doing 'great' after The Gals. No support in the back. Seriously. Give The Galaxy a decent D vs. the worst D in MLS then they would have done MUCH BETTER.
I am not a Galaxy fan. I am a supporter of the Seattle Sounders and have been since I arrived in the PNW in 1979. What I expect the LA fans to do is boo Beckham if he and the Galaxy play poorly and they should. If, however, the Galaxy get their act together and Beckham arrives and helps them to the playoffs, they will love him and they should. I expect the real fans of other teams to vigorously boo Beckham and they ought to. It will be great fun for us all however it turns out. I hope the Sounders will be league champions, but if not, I hope the Galaxy storm to the championship. What a story. Let's have fun.
I don't want Beckham to be 'rewarded' with an MLS Cup after checking out from his club for half the season. Sorry, Don, that doesn't sit well with me!
"..who can seem only to elevate his game amongst high caliber players, not elevate players around him..."
You can't have it both ways. I don't know what American sports Mr. Falk has been following, but every man for himself, dog-eat-dog, cutthroat competition is the order of the day in this country, in high schools, middle schools, even at the elementary school age level.
To chastise a European soccer player for something this country excels in, looking out for numero uno, is disingenuous, to say the least.
America's model is team sports, with individual achievement. Baseball, so American, prizes the individual at the plate and the score of victory for the team. However, American celebrates team first. What is the bigger prize, the World Series trophy or the MVP award? Thought so!
I disagree. I think America celebrates the individual, the team is the vehicle for the individual to excel. I think that's why America has had a tough time seeing the beauty of soccer. It is truly a team sport, in every sense of the word. The team is the star.
On the other hand, how long should a player or coach stay with a losing team? Life is short.
I see your point, 'reality.' Soccer is indeed a team sport. Beckham is putting himself and Milan before the Galaxy.
You didn't answer my question. How long?
I don't agree that one talented player can elevated the skill of a bad team, all you are doing is sacrificing your own development.
I stayed with a bad team out of some sense of misguided loyalty and I can say, in retrospect, I would rather be booed than laughed at.
How long? For the length of thre contract he signed.
You've got me on that point, but don't discount the potential future benefit of a relationship between AC Milan and the Galaxy. There may be some intangible value to this situation.
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