Got to watch the MLS All-Star Game last night, which took place between the aforementioned MLS All-Stars and West Ham United of the English Premier League. This was David Beckham’s second year being voted in, though it was his first to play, as he missed last season’s game with an injury. Naturally, the crowd and media went wild. During the game, even the commentator went so far as to hail Beckham as the man who pulled North American soccer up from near-obscurity and gave it to the mainstream fan. Well, I don’t know about that- I suspect there are statistics that might refute that to some degree. The thing is, I do think he has the ability and the potential to change the game in a huge way; but if/when the time comes, few may give him the credit.
Here’s the thing: back in the day, kids in Canada who played hockey wanted to grow up to be Wayne Gretzky or Steve Yzerman or Mario Lemieux. Kids of those kids (who are now adults) want to be Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin. Any kids with basketball aspirations wanted to be Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan or John Stockton. (Okay, maybe not Stockton- he may have only been my favourite!) Their kids now want to be LeBron James or Kobe Bryant or Carmelo Anthony. I could do the same for football and baseball. Those names have become ingrained through TV, magazines, and merchandise.
What about soccer? Name me 5 MLS players. Landon Donovan? Freddie Edu (who’s not even playing in the MLS anymore)? Brian McBride (who left to play in the EPL, then came back again)? Anyone outside of regular soccer crowd even know those names? Is there a six-year old who knows? Well, there’s one name a six-year old knows now- David Beckham. He can get the jersey and run down the pitch dreaming of curling one in to win it all. The glory, the talent and the fame all wrapped up in one sporting icon- THE sporting icon of his particular sport.
What I find immensely interesting is that for all the talk/hope of Beckham “saving” soccer in North America, all the thoughts have been of an immediate gratification- this idea that his arrival will change it all right now. (Perhaps it’s partly because we’ve become so reliant on immediate gratification- we need the job done now, the coffee served now, the meal cooked now, etc.) I don’t think it’s possible, despite the hopes of Beckham and North American soccer. But let’s re-evalute things a decade from now, when these six, seven, eight year olds who now have an aspiration to strive for, an idol to become, grow up. Then, perhaps, we can fairly pass judgment on Beckham’s legacy in North America. I think we might be surprised to find it’s more defining than any of us dared to dream.
July 26, 2008 at 3:25 pm
at one time soccer was saved by Pele. it worked for a few years. There needs to be at least one or two more big names playing at once and against each other (Magic and Bird) for it to work. and sink in.
rojo
July 26, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I think the difference this time round is the reach of the media- every outlet, whether it’s TV, magazines or the internet are pushing Beckham in a way Pele never had the opportunity. This is why I think Beckham, if he is going to “save” the sport, has a better chance. But as I said, I suspect the ripple effect of Beckham won’t be felt long after he’s actually left the sport.