by Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell
>Landon Donovan and David Beckham exchange words; MLS could use the publicity
Six months away playing for one of Europe’s elite teams, David Beckham made his return to the Los Angeles Galaxy for practices earlier this week. His return did not come without media attention thanks to teammate Landon Donvan. Apparently Donovan bashed the beloved international star in an upcoming book questioning Beckham’s commitment among other things.
Here’s a rundown of what Donovan said in the book:
The Galaxy currently find themselves out of a playoff spot and could use the savvy play of Beckham. Still, MLS officials have to be happy about the timing of this story. Beckham returning was not nearly as big a story in America as his initial arrival, and even that subsided after less than a week.
One of America’s best players calling out what was once one of the world’s best players? Publicity gold! Playoffs or not, this should cause more than expected to pay attention to Beckham’s return. Beckham, who still says he will honor his five-year contract with the Galaxy, will return to play tonight against New York. Seems as though his time spent with AC Milan has the thirty year old midfielder in top form and impressing Galaxy teammates.
The spat with Donovan, according to Beckham, has now been resolved. This is nothing new to the American sports frontier. In fact, this might be Donovan’s way of challenging Beckham to see his vision of improving the MLS through. Many MLS faithful were displeased when the Galaxy agreed to loan him to Italian power, AC Milan, which meant Beckham would miss most of the first half of this season.
>South African workers spent past week striking, will resume work on 2010 World Cup facilities Thursday
Workers in South Africa spent this past week on strike for wage increases. The Washington Post reported that some workers were earning as little as $1.50 an hour and an average of about $200 a month.
Here’s a brief rundown of the wage dispute:
The striking workers could have caused a delay in the reported December deadline of all World Cup facilities. Some officials even worried early on that the strike could push back the start of the World Cup in June 2010.
The workers agreed to a slightly less wage increase (1 percent less than what they were seeking) and were expected to resume construction today.
This issue has done nothing than bring more international attention to the dire situations in one of African’s more affluent countries. Violence ensued earlier in the week, which has to be World Cup promoters worst nightmare.
>Can the 2010 World Cup have a lasting impact on host South Africa?
Additionally to the strike, the selection of South Africa as the first African country to even host the World Cup is not without its critics. Some believe hosting the World Cup will do little to shed light on the economic woes of African nations. One has to ask: is it FIFA’s concern what happens to a host city after one of its major tournaments leaves?
I’m more ignorant to the problems there than anyone else, but I can’t imagine that hosting the World Cup would hurt the nation in any way. It isn’t FIFA’s job to save it from any of its problems; certainly by choosing South Africa to host allows officials to shed some light on what is plaguing nations there and how the world can help.
For one, the facilities look as though they will be top-notch. This has to give South Africa the edge in hosting other international tournaments, soccer or not, in the near future. Cricket is very popular as is rugby.
If the World Cup goes off without a hitch, why wouldn’t this happen? More tournaments means more jobs for stadium workers, hotels, food services, transportation and so on. It may not be the answer, but certainly FIFA envisioned this by selecting South Africa.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Outside the Lines investigated just what the conditions are for some of the poorest South African residents.
Most powerful line from the piece with Bob Ley comes from a young South African man who realizes that it will be life after the World Cup that truly matters to South Africans:
“The money coming in is just to make the streets look better so that the stadium look good for people to say it looks like Germany over here. But actually we’re not eating like Germans, we’re not.” Tells it like it is.
Got some soccer news or comments from around the globe? Take a seat on the bench and let your ‘pickins’ be heard.
I have to admit that even myself questions Beckham’s commitment to the MLS. When he first came over, wasn’t it his mission to show that soccer or “football” not only existed here in the U.S. but to make it as popular. So what changed that he wanted to leave halfway through his second year.
Now he plays only a half a season here? I don’t agree with Landon Donovan calling him out in his book. There is better way to handle the situation. But I believe that Donovan, the rest of the Galaxy players and the rest of the MLS for that matter – have to right to question his commitment to the league. Maybe Donovan is trying to call him out in front of the public to light a fire. Either way – still think it could have been done in a better way.
I agree concerning Donovan wanting to light a fire under Beckham. Not the best way to do it, but then again you can understand Donovan’s frustrations – a player who really wants to see the MLS prosper.
I think when Beckham first came over, he thought his career with England’s national team was over. He was not selected to play in the European championship qualifiers. England didn’t qualify and the manager was sacked. One of the first things the new manager said when he came was his interest in bringing Beckham back and possibly have him for the 2010 World Cup. Beckham wanted to do it and figured he was still only going to be 34-35 when the World Cup rolled around but realized playing in the MLS would do little to prepare him. MLS teams play much fewer games compared to European clubs, especially if the MLS team does not qualify for any CONCACAF tournaments, which I think the Galaxy have not.
This led to Beckham seeking a loan to AC Milan. They had Serie A, very, very good chances to playing a European schedule in the Champions League and he would be playing against better competition. The onmly problem is that their season overlaps with the start of MLS and we’re where we are now with Beckham.
I don’t think it will change either. Beckham has said he is now willing to go back and play for England club. So obviously he has little intention of EVER playing a full MLS season.
I actually believe he every intention to try and make MLSa viable soccer league (not that it isn’t – it has been going on for over a decade now). But I think Beckham originally had accepted his fate and that his international career was over and thought about conquering America to serve his ego. And quite frankly, why not? He’s the type that could draw attention to the league. But now that there is hope for him once again playing for England, his last worry has to be what happens with the Galaxy and MLS.
The Beckham / Donovan situation is an example of how society can influence sports. Once was a time when discussions like this stayed in the locker room / clubhouse (‘Loose lips sink ships’). I am not sure that 40 years ago this sort of stuff would have made it into print. Old-time sports fans don’t care about these sort of soap operas. But now sports is so wildly popular that borderline fans are more interested in the dirty laundry than the actual play on the field. Interesting that Random House published the book – anything to sell some copies.
Sports has become more entertainment. I think execs love it when stories like this are made public because it will bring attention. I think it was Donovan playing on Beckham’s ego. If he called him out in private, big deal. But if he says it in a book and in an interview for the world (ahem) to hear, then maybe Beckham will take the challenge of making something out of the MLS on a worldwide stage.
We like our soap operas. When stuff like this comes out, fans will tune in more often. We want to see the drama and how it plays out on the competitive stage I guess (I use the term “we” loosely here).
I’m a guilty fan by the way. I was not too excited about watching the LA-NY game tonight and now I’ll definitely make time to tune in.
I think Donovan had no choice but to call out Beckham as he did. Anything less public would have gone unnoticed. But I ask “to what avail”? Beckham was never committed to making the MLS viable. He felt cognitive dissonance (a psychologist’s term) almost immediately. Besides, if he seriously thought he could succeed in that venture, he (and all the others who encouraged/enabled him) was sadly mistaken. I remember NASL games with Pele, Giorgio Chinaglia, and Franz Beckenbauer. While they may not have been in their primes, they were big names still in soccer and they had played on world champions. Beckham is a matinee idol who can hit dead balls better than anyone in the current game, but he does not have either the flair or the ability of the aforementioned trio. And where, I ask you, is the NASL today? Soccer is a beautiful game to watch if you take the time to analyze it, understand it, and really watch a match, but the American public is far too busy and scattered to do so. Sorry Sir Beckham. Pick another cause.
Bill Simmons mentions in his recent mailbag that we as Americans only want the best. There’s a reason we can’t get into Arena Football and other “niche” leagues to use his word. The MLS, even to the casual soccer fan, is years behind the talent of Europe and South America. I watched the game last night and two of the Galaxy’s goals were basically off of mistakes. The ball lands in front of a guy, his eyes get real big because he realizes nobody has time to push up, and he blasts a shot in. It’s sloppy.
Beckham can’t do it alone. Simmons does think that international soccer is becoming very popular in the US. I never, EVER remember international soccer being on TV. The past two years ESPN has played a load of games, including the quart, semi, and finals of Champions League. People are watching.
If there was a big influx of international stars, I think there would be a natural interest there, even for the soccer detractors. The chances of that happening? I would say none. And Pete, you bring up a great point about US: we’re too busy. The reason MLS plays its season is because it can’t compete with the NBA, MLB playoffs, NFL, college sports, NBA, and even the NHL. It’s in a prime position to get exposure and it still isn’t getting it on a grand scale.
Casey, Pete, Smitty, and any other Rochesterians I’m missing. Wasn’t sure if you knew this but Abby Wambach will have a chance at scoring her 100th goal for the US team IN Rochester today where the Rhinos play. The game will be televised on ESPN at 3.
Reynell – I think we all knew she was playing. Problem is tickets are $50 or $60 and they are wondering why the game hasn’t sold out. People in Rochester are just not the type of people to potentially drop a couple hundred on an exhibition game. Sure Abby Wambach is playing and sure she might score her 100th goal. But $$ talks and most people are unfortunately going to be sitting home watching the game.
And it shouldn’t be that way….
The tickets prices were a PR blunder. They responded by lowering the prices…significantly, BUT they did a poor job letting the public in on this. I didn’t find out until Friday that there were plenty of $18 seats. Unfortunately, we are in the throes of graduation party circuit and free time is at a premium.
Not sure if everyone realizes this, but the US Soccer ticket prices are not set by the local stadia, but by US Soccer itself. Do they really think a friendly two years before a World Cup is worth $50-60? Let’s get realistic.Too bad too, as Rochester COULD have filled that stadium, but alas…
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