‘Comin’ to America’

NICK PITTS STAFF WRITER

NDP722@CABRINI EDU

Soccer star David Beckham signed a five-year, $250-million contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Jan. 11. Months after the monumental signing, soccer fans around the nation had been awaiting the day Beckham made his début on American soil. That day has come and gone, and so far it was not exactly everything that Los Angeles, as well as the rest of the country, had hoped for.

Partial inspiration for the transatlantic move was the rocky season Beckham faced with Real Madrid. The English midfielder did not get along with his former coach, Fabio Capello and experienced minimal playing time after his decision to sign with the Galaxy.

Beckham came back with a vengeance, helping Real Madrid capture its 30th Spanish league title.

“A major fault of mine this season was not recognizing Beckham’s potential,” Capello said according to CBSsports.com.

Beckham, however, crossed the ocean suffering from an aggravated ankle and had been playing limited amounts since his debut with the Galaxy before receiving a knee injury that has sidelined him for the next six weeks.

The superstar did have a few moments of glory in just four games as an American soccer player despite playing on the weak left ankle prior to the latest knee injury. He scored his first Galaxy goal in his first start against DC United on a free kick, with his patented bending shot.

He recorded three assists only four days later in one of the most memorable games in Major League Soccer history against the New York Red Bulls in August. The Galaxy lost the game 5-4, but Beckham made his presence felt on the East Coast for the first time.

“I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world’s most popular game in a country that is as passionate about its sport as my own,” Beckham said in an article on LAgalaxy.com.

Despite the injury and the amount of time he will miss, the excitement still has all but died down.

According to LAgalaxy.com, MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, “David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America.”

By acquiring Beckham, the LA Galaxy hopes not only to gain a magnificent player, but also nationwide popularity for the growing MLS.

“I think he will bring more superstars to the MLS,” said Chris Rhodes, a sophomore graphic design major who plays soccer at Cabrini College.

With the MLS regular season ending in October and Beckham sidelined for possibly the remainder of that time, soccer fans in this country must once again look to the future. When he does make his appearance on the field, the country speaks of his accomplishments for days. It seems as though America may become a true soccer nation in years to come if Beckham can become healthy enough to make an impact.

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Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham makes his first Major League Soccer appearance late in the match against D.C. United at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Aug. 9.