Is six minutes on the Today show talking about tattoos and Armani worth the circus? I know the old line says any news is good news for a league starving for publicity, but the Beckham experiment is starting to look like a bad joke.
After fan protests obviously caught the rabbit ears of Beckham during this weekend’s friendly with AC Milan, Beckham went over to the corner housing the LA Riot Squad to give them a piece of his mind.
One emotional fan took Beckham’s invitation, hopping onto the field where he was promptly pinned by the yellow shirts. Hmm, I thought the quarter-billion dollar publicity stunt was intended to increase the fan base, not get fans beaten up and tossed out by security.
Beckham later said he was offering to shake hands, but some first hand accounts and video evidence appear to make that a questionable defense. However, Major League Soccer makes note of video from another angle of the situation that seems to vindicate the superstar.
What was he saying on the way over to the corner? Some fans report it was not for sensitive ears. MLS is reviewing the occurrence. Perhaps the situation has been overblown, but the one obvious conclusion is that everything Beckham does will be analyzed on the microscopic level.
While the well-lubricated fan now faces a ban from future MLS games, what about Beckham? Until Golden Balls walked over to the corner to share his two cents, the fan was content to express his passion from the comfort of the stands. It is nowhere near the level of the Cantona karate kick from years back, but annoying your fan base probably rises a bit higher than a Brian Ching tweet about poor officiating.
American football coach Jimmy Johnson had a famous quote about different strokes for different folks. “I am very consistent in the way I treat my players,” said the former coach. “I treat them all differently.”
There is a difference, though, in getting away with a foul or dive – or showing up a bit late after a night on the town – than there is disrespecting your teammates, your club, and your customers.
You have to give Beckham the player credit. His two assists gave LA a nice result against a vacationing AC Milan. Even though the prodigal player did not make a definable impact in the demolition of the Red Bulls a week ago, his insertion in the starting lineup helped define the team into a competitive and entertaining side.
With Beckham on the pitch, and following the mid-season additions of Chris Birchall and Alecko Eskandarian, I would say the Galaxy have one of the top five rosters in the league. In fact, with the strengthened roster it looks like LA might finally be an MLS Cup contender again.
Does that resolve the dirty laundry issues expressed by the league’s true superstar, Landon Donovan? Whether Donovan should have aired his grievances in public is another argument. Anyone who watched LA play last year knows the complaints were dead on target.
Beckham defends his commitment pointing to the thousands of miles he flies to play with his national team. Fine, that is a commitment to England. He says any good player would not want to leave a quality club like AC Milan in the middle of a championship hunt. Okay, that shows commitment to Milan.
What about the commitment to LA? to MLS? to soccer in the US? Unfortunately, with another long loan on the horizon after the current season, we will not know if that commitment is really there until after the 2010 World Cup. And by then, how much will it be worth.
We have yet to see if the questioning of Beckham’s professionalism will provide a lasting incentive for the former England captain but it has obviously lit a fire in the short term. However, that fire is dangerously close to turning MLS into a wrestling-style free for all.
The good news out of this whole equation is that it is now obvious the passionate fan base MLS has been looking to develop is taking root. And not just in laid-back LA. Look at Toronto fans deserved outrage over special considerations given to Real Madrid – while their beloved Reds make due with artificial scraps.
Look at Seattle, where they drew over 65-thousand to watch an exhibition match against Chelsea. We might just see similar crowds for MLS playoff games should the Sounders qualify for the post-season. Think about that, an NFL-sized sellout for an MLS game.
Similar passion is on tap in Philadelphia, Portland and Vancouver. Now the league has to spread the seeds back in its original fields. There are pockets, like the Screaming Eagles and Barra Brava in DC, the Nordecke in Columbus and yes, the Riot Squad in LA.
There has been much maligning the suburban soccer crowd that has been the backbone of MLS since its inception, but now that true passion is rearing its head, is MLS ready for it?
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
The Riot Squad Fans in the Home Depot for the Galaxy are no more than a group Hooligans, defined as:
Hooliganism refers to unruly and destructive behavior. Such behavior is commonly associated with sports fans, particularly supporters of professional football and university sports. In some countries, the hooligan elements of a group of supporters are known as Category C. The term can also apply to general rowdy behavior and vandalism, often under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
I have sat behind these morons during a game, they no more support the Galaxy than Booth did Lincoln. These idiots only worry about being seen on the Big Screen, cussing and swearing at the opponents and alienate anyone near by. But the group behind the HDC north goal, are the worst. They are worse than the Raiders Fan in Los Angeles. I would have jumped the highest wall to get my hands one of these pieces, I support Becks on his reaction. Professional Players should be supported by sane fans. Keep the hooligans in the bars where they belong.
July 25th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Ok wat happen with beck is so rediculos. the fans are so stupid and do not deserve to be fans and watching those stars play. this type of incidents also didnt happen in cali it also happen in other parts of the us. For instance like the mexico fans they are so retarded throwing beer cups and water bottle just cause mexico is close to losing thats why i hate on mexican fans they are so immature. and i hope the that USA defends the gold cup for the third time. VIVA barca and usa
July 25th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Great post, Phil. It really makes you think.
First, I truly believe that David Beckham has no loyalty whatsoever to the Galaxy and that he is all about himself and squeezing the last few years out of his career in any way he can so that he can qualify for the England team and go to the World Cup. I also think he has it in his head since Capello dumped him at Real Madrid that he has to prove himself to the Italian coach. It’s like an obsession or something. And I believe that Becks instigated the confrontation with those LA fans and I don’t see that the punishment fits the crime, either way. Golden Balls wasn’t fined enough and the fans got too harsh a punishment.
Fan hooliganism is something we don’t want here in the MLS. I’m sure that goes without saying. I love the passion shown by my own home fans for TFC but I hope it never gets out of control like it has in, say, Argentina, where the barra bravas are that country’s mafia and people actually get killed. No, thanks.
It is fantastic, though, that the MLS really seems to be taking off. I think most people and families love soccer. Look at both expansion teams, Toronto and Seattle and see how well they have done and what fantastic fans they have. The league is doing this on its own.
Beckham, you can go home now. The MLS doesn’t need your ‘help’.
July 26th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
There is tightly wound and fine line between passionate fans and fanatics.
Fanatics of any sport are extremely disturbing and hurt the game and sport.
On the other hand Passionate fans will represent their squad whether the
game is going your way or not.
Fanatics tend to lean one way or the other and may the soccer gods help you
if you are not performing or being over performed. The case of Becks is
an isolated situation because of the dollars and media coverage he receives.
You will never see a fan try to attack Shaq or kobe or any other sports professional.
What the MLS needs is passionate fans like the Sounders in Seattle. We don’t
need pre madona fans who taunt and boo their home teams.
Fans are just exactly that, supporters. If this is not what you support find another team.
Find another Sport to hurt, A life time ban and charges are the least the league can do
to protect itself from idiots becoming the flagship of this still growing league.
Soccer is an international sport and inorder for the league to become successful and
competetive we need international players. We need Beck quality players to further the growth
of the beloved sport in the US.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
I’m from Guatemala, my wife is from Argentina. we are in atlanta. ANYTHING that brings more attention to the game here in the states works for us!! I’m glad Donovan ( my hero ), brought up the beckham thing so this started a fire. I’m starting to see more passion in the stadiums. Maybe its Seattle fans who is teaching everyone a lesson. Who knows but we need it. If the US wants to win the world cup one day… we need to bring our leagues all the way to the top. btw, Seattle fans rock!!!! I wish I still lived there!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 am
First I want to say…. Great post!!
Secondly, and after I read some of the replys I got to defend the L.A Riot Squad. They are not just a bunch of hooligans or idiots as some refer to them. They have a sense of ownership for their team, their city and the game. This is passion, and I hope more Barras Bravas grow to support MLS teams because for some soccer is just a sport, a game, for others though is a culture, a life-style, a passion that elevates higher than reason itself.
Anyway, I hope a bright future for the MLS and soccer in this country.