When Spanish soccer club Real Madrid formally declared on Jan. 11 that it was releasing international superstar David Beckham to Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, the announcement sparked worldwide media frenzy. The question on everyone's mind now is how Beckham's presence in the United States will affect American soccer.
"It will bring lots of attention to the [MLS]," Tufts men's soccer coach Ralph Ferrigno said. "The league's at a point where it needs that attention. It's a good solid league full of young American talent, but it needs to go the next step. A player like Beckham can bring the recognition and the resources that allow it to do that."
Certainly, the announcement that Beckham, one of the few international soccer players with name recognition in the United States, will play on this side of the Atlantic beginning in July has ignited increased interest in the league, even from casual soccer fans. Ticket sales at several MLS franchises have spiked, with the Galaxy selling over 5,000 season passes in the week following Beckham's signing.
But the jury is out as to whether Beckham's arrival will be a flash in the pan or if it will have long-term impact.
"I'm definitely curious to watch a game with Beckham," men's soccer tri-captain senior Jon Glass said. "And I think a lot of people feel that way. I think the hype will definitely die down by the end of the season, but I'm as curious as the next person."
Much speculation surrounds Beckham's motivation for the move, particularly considering his rumored $250 million contract, said to be the most lucrative sports contract ever signed.
"My first reaction when I heard the news of the transfer was, 'Money,'" said junior and London native Charles Hotimsky, an avid fan of English Premier League side Liverpool. "It was a surprise this came so soon, but we knew it was going to happen at some point."
Whatever Beckham's motivation, some feel his ability to permanently boost the league's recognition will be directly linked to his level of play.
"He has to play well to keep people watching," Hotimsky said. "There's a perception that he has to go there to play and want to win. [Other players] are going to test his drive to actually do something for the club. If he actually wins something, then he'll become big."
But his international celebrity status and glamor may be enough to maintain interest, regardless of his performance on the pitch.
"Beckham is very aware of America," Ferrigno said. "He's obviously chosen to go to L.A. I'm not sure that [winning] is critical to his mission. Just the fact that he's here will generate interest. He's a name. He has a glamorous image. It'd be nice if he wins a trophy, but I don't think it's critical."
Beckham is not the only international player making his way to the United States, however. Ronald Waterreus, a goalkeeper for the Dutch national team, moved to the New York Red Bulls in Jan. 2007. He will join the captain of the 2006 American World Cup team, Claudio Reyna, who returns home to the metropolitan area after four years with English Premier League side Manchester City.
Neither is a player of Beckham's caliber, however, and there are many questions as to whether Beckham's move can entice the other top-name players to the MLS, which has long been viewed internationally as a retirement league for players past their peak.
"I think the hope was that when [Beckham] was signed, someone like [French star Zinedine] Zidane might decide to come out of retirement," Ferrigno said. "The reality is that for players of that stature, they are only going to come over if they get a comparable financial package to what Beckham has, and the league is not ready for that."
According to a report by Business Week in 2004, the MLS has lost $350 million since its start in 1995. Although the L.A. Galaxy and FC Dallas are currently the only profitable clubs, many other clubs are steadily approaching the black. Furthermore, a recent change to the MLS salary cap rules permits a team to sign one marquee player without a salary cap, a move that seems designed to enable teams to lure big names.
"Beckham is probably more of a gateway player to make other international players think twice about coming to MLS," Glass said. "It will have a lasting impact if the money eventually can compete with Europe."
Right now, the MLS is pursuing players on par with the likes of Gaizka Mendieta of Spain, who has indicated a desire to leave the Premier League's Middlesbrough for the MLS.
"[Those players] would fit the profile the MLS can afford," Ferrigno said. "Players in their early 30s, past their peaks, but still good professionals. From there, we'll see. Beckham brings an enormous amount of attention to MLS, and with attention will come resources."
There's also the question of how successfully international players like Beckham will adapt to American soccer.
"It's a different style of game between the U.S. and Britain," Glass said. "American soccer is much more fast and physical. [Internationals] might have a harder time adjusting to U.S. soccer than U.S. players will have adjusting to international players."
"MLS players are highly underrated," Glass continued. "Guys clearly beyond their prime are going to have a lot more trouble with U.S. players than they think they are. Plus the U.S. players are going to play as hard as they can. Everyday [international stars] are going to have a target on their backs."
Beckham is slated to arrive in L.A. in July, after his Real Madrid contract expires on June 30. However, following Madrid coach Fabio Capello's announcement in early January that he would not play Beckham in the starting line-up this season, there is speculation that the squad may release Beckham early so that he can appear in the Galaxy's season-opener at the Houston Dynamo on April 8.
