I think David Beckham is the ideal figure to put MLS on the soccer map. His presence will benefit the league in volumes. He is the perfect player to attract the 2 most vital components to make a league thrive, fans in the seats and major television endorsements. He could also attract other legitimate world class players to join MLS
FORZA ITALIA

Not that I'm complaining, but why in the world does David Beckham want to leave a European powerhouse for the MLS? He says he wants to play in a country that is passionate about the sport, but who is more passionate about soccer than the Europeans? They sell out huge stadiums to die hard fans while the MLS can barely keep afloat. Again, I would love it if Beckham came to play in the MLS, but I think its just a publicity stunt on his part. But thinking about it, who cares the reason? Come on over, Beckham!

old and half the player he is rated to be... not good for MLS

How could Beckham not be good for the MLS? He would bring massive exposure to a struggling league that isn't respected anywhere that matters in the soccer world.

David Beckham coming to america to play would do great things for the sport in america and the sport in general. the question is with rdebull looking at Ronaldo, who has the money to afford a player like Beckham?

i think that he would bring a lot of excitement to the league and i would watch more of the games but he will probably be expensive and he will make americans look bad because the MLS is defiantly not a strong league but he may bring some respectibilaty to Americas soccer teams

I think it would be great if Beckham came to the MLS. This would actually give the MLS some attention from the news. The only problem with this is that he would beast everyone up and people would get annoyed. Like FORZA ITALIA said it could direct other European Stars to the MLS.

Could not do anything other than PKs if his like were on the line.

Why would David Beckham leave Europe which is more obsessed with football than anyone else to come play in a crappy league like MLS. If i had it my way i would move to Europe right now if i could just because nobody in America is crazy about soccer. David, you're weird.

I'm not sure why on EARTH anyone would come on this particular site/store, and diss football in anyway shape or form. To even post denotes the varied writers obviously care, for the opposite of LOVE is NOT hate, it's INDIFFERENCE, and you lot are FAR from indifferent, just severly misinformed. As far as Beckham playing in the MLS, people truly need to get their facts straight. A. The MLS is NOT struggling, out of all the professional sport in the US, it's one of the few, that planned everything so carefully they've been in the black for YEARS. B. We are a country of many peoples, when you refer to US not being interested, that's odd, as I remember during the 1999 woman's World Cup, it seems to me we FILLED the Rose Bowl - absolute standing room only. Also, to further illustrate my point, a couple of months ago, a Copa d'oro fixture was on Univision, up against Nascar, Tiger Woods, and US football, that game alone secured a 23 share...think of that..that means in your USA where no one cares about football 23 MILLION households watched the game..and so what if they're hispanic american, of whatever, thank the LORD for TRUE fans like that, that will keep this sport alive FOREVER..so, either deal with it, or MOVE..if you dislike football that much and have nothing positive to say about it..why on earth would you espouse a rather misguided, typical outcome oriented american view of the most beautiful sport, and 23 MILLION americans say your wrong, as well as 3.3 BILLION that will watch the world cup...so, a serious fact check is in order. I think you'll find the MLS will be around for another 50 years, and gain momentum, as we look to international stars to give us that lift, and the stars that will one day soon, make the US not very popular to play as they're LETHAL. Just look to the U21's, U19's, etc. these "kids" are amongst the BEST in the world at their age, they have beaten every team, no matter WHO (Brasil, Argentina, England, Germany, etc.) and they FEAR ABSOLUTELY no one. In fact, if you'd have checked your facts closer, you'd see that the MLS has had TREMENDOUS success in playing both Sudamerican and European teams and boast an overall winning record. No, I thank GOD for players like Beckham because he and others have a foresight most don't. I see a future vision of the MLS growing larger, stronger, with a MUCH better talent pool as the U21's, etc. and younger come up, and make their mark, not just in the US, but on the WORLD, and I firmly believe that someday, the MLS will be part of World Contests other than the Copa, or other localised fixtures, as our record playing both South American,Middle American and European teams is of the WINNING ilk, meaning we've more wins than losses, as we've an incredible talent pool, I just wish the NAY SAYERS would put down their BROWN coloured glasses and TRULY watch, you may learn something, but more importantly, you may learn HOPE, an OPEN MINDEDNESS that seems many don't have, but at least you care enough to post, positive or negative, at least you care, and that speaks so much louder than the words written, as you give the US another 4 to 12 years, and I have NO DOUBT we'll either WIN a world cup OR come in second or third, NO doubt whatsoever, and BLESS those from the Melting pot that makes our country so COOL, for THEY alone could keep the sport alive, you should go to a game, and bounce for 90 minutes while the drum plays, it's not only exhilarating, it blows any other sport away, the SHEER love it that FILLS the particular venue..and YOU DO NOT get that with typical US sport. And David, you're not weird, your one smart bloke and I commend you!

Theres no way he will come and play here. Hes to much into himself. If he comes over here he will be a ball-hog. And if he comes over here, then whats to say others wont. It could ruin so of the kids dreams. There could even be less americans playing. And this is there country that have more right then anyone else to play here. On my finial note! BECKHAM stay away from the MLS U would ruin it for all us dreamers!!!!

Hey Gazzabecks, how bout YOU check your facts. The MLS has lost more than 215 million dollars since its founding according to a report by BusinessWeek last year. The last time I checked, thats struggling. No one here wishes failure on the MLS or American Soccer, I want it to grow and prosper just as much as you, but the unfortunate fact remains that the MLS is still inferior. Hopefully, the MLS will pick up players such as Beckham so that American fans won't flip over to FSN for a English Premier League game and instead will watch some MLS soccer. Saying the MLS isn't a good league isn't pessimistic, its a fact. And hopefully that fact will change.

David Beckham is a soccer icon. If he came to America, many other soccer icons would probably follow him and we would be watching the MLS on FOX SOCCER CHANNEL and not the EPL.

David Beckham is a soccer icon. If he came to America, many other soccer icons would probably follow him and we would be watching the MLS on FOX SOCCER CHANNEL and not the EPL.

Is he a soccer icon?! Wow, there are plenty of midfielders that could do a much better job. He really needs to use his head. Don't you just love ambiguity.

I think that Beckham would bring exitement to the MLS and America's idea on soccer, fan or player, and everything that MATT said I completely agree with. Many other world-class players might follow him to make the MLS a powerhouse league like the EPL or Italian Serie A. And as for GAZZABECKS, if you're not good enough to get into the MLS, then keep dreaming. I don't know about anyone else but I AM TIRED OF SEEING SHOWS LIKE "GOLF" OR "BOWLING" BEING PLAYED ON ESPN INSTEAD OF SOCCER. Players like Beckham would bring huge T.V. endorsments.

I think Gazzabecks was DEAD on right, and it's too bad they're are so many negative wankers espousing their intellectual garbage in here. SO the MLS is 215 MILLION in the RED? WOW, how do they stay afloat...HOW? Can you answer that Mr. I'm SO ANGRY TOSSER I DON't KNOW WHAT THE CHUFF I'm TALKING ABOUT? And YOU don't know what you're talking about, back peddling saying the MLS is inferior but hoping it succeeds, your an NFL owner right? GO BECKHAM!!!! DOWN WITH NAYSAYERS

I think that if he came over then other players would come and the MLS would be great the only problem is the MLS teams do not have enough money to pay them.

I think that if he came over then other players would come and the MLS would be great the only problem is the MLS teams do not have enough money to pay them.

I too believe with all my heart, that eventually we'll get there, and specific help from the likes of Beckham (who has a vested interest in the US), Ronaldo, etc. will make it even BETTER and BIGGER, and as others have said, draw a deeper, more rounded player to us, not that we lack in that area anyway...but it's a long process - however, we already have a HUGE built in fan base, as evidenced by multicultural attendence at games, and the aforementioned GIGANTIC share.

Also you may want to remember that the brits, et. al. have hundreds or more years on us - so the US is in it's infancy and can ONLY get better...And, I believe with the support of superstar players (who most likely do NOT care about huge paychecks because of their total love of the sport), our own STUNNING talent pool, many of which people don't know about, (like the U17, U19, etc.) they're superb, ...and bright and hopeful people like Sam, Utes, Gazza, etc. (as they exemplify HOPE, DECENCY, POSITIVE THINKING) - everything that some others are constitutionally incapable of realising. Although they're not at fault, they seem to have born that way. They're naturaly incapable of grasping and developing an outlook on things, that denotes hope, positivity and good sense (in an UNWAVERING fashion)

Some of the ill thought out comments are very much akin to multiple personalities, for the stances taken - I mean MAKE UP YOUR MIND LITTLE ONES. Hop on board and enjoy the ride...it will only get smoother and better.

all i have to say is MlS is a joke im a huge football fan and i cant stand to watch the wanna be soccer played in the mls u could bring ronaldinho to the mls but that wont help out the other teams and more europeans and other hardcore football lovers would shun someone like beckham for leaving european football for the mls and knowing british fans he would lose his spot as captain of the england squad to true footballers who stayed with there clubs

David Beckham would make an interesting choice for a crossover to the new world of Soccer. MLS is not the now but is it the future? When someone as known world wide as Beck thinks about going to MLS who else is to follow? Ronaldo? Keane? Fowler? I really dont see this ever happening. But its good to dream right?

that b to tite if he playd here in america

Nice post Gazza. Go get 'em. Beckham is a brand these days and no country responds to players as brands better than the US. So this could be a real savvy business move in the long run.

beckham is so overrated its just a publicity stunt

On Beckham coming to the MLS - Yes please... I couldn't be more tired of people saying he is overrated. Who is it that you think is rating him so highly. Just because he is a sports icon with high profile endorsements, etc. doesn't mean that football pundits the world over are saying he is one of the top midfielders in football. In actuality, he is considered by most in the know (and by that I mean coaches, managers and players at the highest levels, not you couch potato would be pundits that are more apt to jump on a bashing bandwagon than to actually assess a player's performance objectively) to be a composed, quality midfielder that may be a bit past his prime, but is still very servicable and plays incredibly accurate balls. No one ever says he is the best in the world. He's captain of England because of his experience, not because he's the most talented player in the country. Besides, watch the guy play. He's still very talented. And comments like "he will be a ball hog in MLS" just prove you people do not watch him play. Anyone that knows anything about Beckham knows that his entire game is built around distribution of the ball, not holding onto it.

In regard to people saying he'll never come... He's 30 years old people. He'll play 1-3 more years at the top level, then what? It's quite plausible that he would play in the MLS. Money? He'll get it in endorsements where he doesn't in salary, and he if anyone knows that. Want some precedent? Pele, Valderrama, Stoichkov, etc. The U.S. is a very attractive place to live for many of these players at the end of their careers regardless of playing professionally here or not. These players come here to end their careers in a league in which they can still be competitive for a couple of years while enjoying all that this country has to offer. Do you really think Pele, the best player in the history of the game, came to the states to play for the Cosmos because of the prominence of the league?

On the quality of MLS - You have to start somewhere so no one expects it to be on par with the EPL after having been in operation one tenth as long. Granted, MLS is not the level of the Bundisliga, EPL, Serie A (which in my opinion is terribly boring to watch because of the constant diving and dramatics, and not nearly as competitive as it used to be...) However, compare it to Argentina, Brazil, Mexico. This is a very makable comparison, both when you watch these leagues and when you see MLS teams compete against them in international tournaments and exhibitions. And these are countries well regarded for their footballing history. Yes Brazil and Argentina export more budding stars to the world stage, but the U.S. is sending more and more players to top clubs every day and the domestic leagues in these countries may be proving grounds, but they are not stellar in their own right. MLS and US Soccer in general are making great progress.

You think players like Beckham coming here would make Americans look bad, or would take opportunities (or "dreams")away from American players? This is an astonishingly poor argument. Do you honestly think MLS and American players will benefit from being insulated and protected from a higher standard of football? Utter rubbish. The only way to improve is to be challenged. The only way to advance is to go up against better competition and work your way up to their level. How would American players ever get there without being exposed to it? If sheltering our players was a viable means to improvement, why bother sending our boys to the World Cup?

Bring Beckham on. It could only bring good things. Enough with the negative attitude. My guess is that those espousing it here are probably not old enough to have really followed the progression of MLS.

he probably just wants to look good on tv, if u want my opinion. because he is not doing anything for madrid! Everybody makes a big deal about the whole " bend it like beckham" crap, but all i see when he takes set pieces is him hitting the opposing team's wall. but it would still be fun to watch him play in a crappy league like mls.

and why is beckham coming to america if he clearly says "i want to be part of a country who is passionate about soccer." most people in america couldn't care less about soccer.

I agree with matt

I can't believe some of the stuff you're saying. Becks would be amazing, playing around a good player like beckam only makes MLS players want to play to a higher caliber.
The league would benefit. Ticket sales would be up. and if David is so passionate about soccer in america it'll be about love not Money! I can tell that some american football fans that love multi-million dollar contracts are posting on here. I know if Beckam Came over seas i'd talk my dad into getting me a ticket to every possible game i could go to. and if i couldn't i'm sure every game would be on tv by then. Beckam don't listen to some people out there, i believe you're ready to move on. Just let those people watch your highlight at wimbledon where you scored at Midfield. Let them say you're no good after watching that. Impossible is nothing. Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who'd rather live in the world they're given than to explore they're power to change it. Impossible is not a fact it's an opinion. impossible is not a declaration it's a dare. Impossible is potential, Impossible is temporary.

Impossible is nothing.

I'm ready for you Beckam.

to make the situation even crapier, beckham should go to the mexican league

The Mexican league is better than MLS in many different ways.

It's extremely rare to see any person thats not mexican to play for the mexican league, so i highly doubt that will happen.

everyone has to agree, beckham is a brand and no team could rightfully afford him, not with the leauge so young in its career. but it would be a great thing to see more quality europeans travel to the mls and play, even if it is to end their careers. i also think that if england performs well this world cup, some diehard fans will be rightfully pissed to have their golden boy be bought by us yankees, just like they felt with malcom glazier buying manu.

To make the situation even grander i think he should go to the iraquian league. psych! they dont have a league, so yeah stick with the mexicans.

I for one am a huge Soccer fan. I started playing FIFA 2006 on playstation 2 and am absolutely hooked on soccer now. When I get off work and go home. The first thing I do when I get home is turn on FSC. Now to debate this subject. Matt your an illiterate fool. Beckham never said he wanted to come to a country that was passionate about soccer. He said he wanted to play for a country who is passionate about sport. Meaning Football, Soccer, Baseball, Rugby, Basketball whatever he said sport not the sport. Also the way I see it is the only way to get soccer popular is to get rid of basketball. All of the athletic men with the body type to play soccer in this country want to play the stupidest sport on the planet basketball. If David Beckham want to come here, then pay him his money and all these kids will see how much money he will make. When they see how much money he makes they will flock to soccer fields. Whether we Americans like it or not, we are a country driven by money. There is no "love for the game" mentality here. No matter what sport. The only people who say that crap are the ones who are already rich from playing that sport.

Does anyone actually read this?

Jerry, yes, people read this... Adam, good luck getting rid of basketball. Soccer can co-exist with other sports, it does everywhere else in the world. There are pro basketball leagues all over Europe and South America too.

i think Beckham is the most talked about soccer player in the world,but the only thing he is good for is fouls and missing penalties

alrihgt honestly, david beckham is not going to do very well in this league.. he's no superstar like he was before, if anything, he might fit in, but hes not going to shine. hes a washup!

If Beckham is that retarded to walk away from Real Madrid and go to play soccer in the U.S., the sin bin of soccer players, then let him. Beckham is a washed up has been and will never be the super star he once was. This is the beginning of the end for DAvid Beckham as we know it. I completely agree with John Cuzzon. He's the man.

P.S. Who's adam?

The New York Red Bulls is where I want to be.

I read the article and Bechhams quotes and I can't help but think to myself --What a loser he is. He is a cancer for any team he plays for. He stirred tings up at Man U and Sir Alex, was transferred to Real and did absoutely nothing for them and lets nottalk about the sorry state he left the englishnational team in. Now he's burned bridges with the best clubs in the world and wants to go to America. Easy way out to be a commercially driven celebrity. What a cancerous loser he is.

he should send every citizen in england a sorry card. He could learn a few tips on how to be a champion from the Italians. Davisd is only a fractin of the player and person Fabio is.

It's only a natural progression in a career path and the MlS needs the superstar appeal. He'll do for the MLS, what Pele did for soccer in the 70's.

beckham stinks.. end of story

Gazzabecks is extremely wrong...just because you're not from this country doesn't mean you have inferior rights to play in the MLS...Americans should want to play in the MLS, but if you aren't American you still have equal rights to play in it too...for example the same thing is going on in basketball right now...over the last 5-10 years the NBA has really gone down in viewers...but with international players that number has gone up...Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker, and the new guy Andrew Bargnani from Italy are all players making a huge difference in the league...Beckham would do wonders for the MLS

I meant The One is wrong not Gaazabecks

beckham sucks hes not even good he should stay with a crapy team like real madrid they get the best players but still suck if he ever go's to the MLS well go to the revolution oh ya

VIVA BENFICA

If Beckham comes to MLS it could be similar to Pele and Chingalia playing for the New York Cosmos in the '70s.

OVERRATED!!!!!!!! he just wants to be the famous soccer icon in the United States like Micheal Jordan was. Why do you think he is wearing number 23. YEAH GARBAGE!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't have to say anything because most people on this site know how I feel about Beckham already. Not too far off from anonymous.

I live in Madrid and I am a huge Real Madrid fan so when the media is saying that he will leave Madrid it just makes me so mad because how many times does the guy say that he wants to stay at Real Madrid? Until people start actually believing it? I'd be gutted if he left but Real Madrid were great without him and if he does end his career in America then Real Madrid will still be the best team in the world. Just don't forget us please. Real Madrid have done fantastic things for their fans and the fans have given 100% back. Also Real Madrid gives everything they have towards football and the players are absolutely stunning! Please don't forget the richest team in the world, the team that won 29 la liga titles, the team that hold the record for the most champions league wins(9).

DON'T FORGET REAL MADRID!

I agree with jorge. The time period when Pele and Chingalia were playing in the U.S. was one of the greatest times for U.S. soccer. The fan base was huge because it was exciting to watch these great players. Although I am not a Beckham fan I do think that him playing for the Galaxy will be a good thing. It will enhance U.S. soccer that much more in all aspects of the game just like back when pele and chingalia played for the cosmos.

matt doesnt know what hes talking about. mls completely sucks. usa will never win a world cup because no matter how good they think their players are, there will be players much better from spain, italy, england, portugal, france argentina brasil etc. look at this years world cup. overated team that got a reality check within the first three minutes against czech republic, who was not the same great team as that of the euro2004. the mls is one of the worst leagues in the world, theres just no denying that, if you think mls is even equal to ANY european league thats just rubbish and insanity. they always lose big time to european teams in friendly matches, even though the europeans bring down half team rosters and play as if their practicing agaisnt children. beckham is just doing it for fame and money. here in england i heard the best description for beck's decision : david is rubbish, and when your rubbish you go to the states. the mls will never change, the whole world laughs at the mls. even the second rate european soccer nations like romania, russia ukraine and greece are loads better than the mls. mls is just funny to watch for the sake of watching the teams try to be something that they cant be. a real futbol league

do u think that the team will do good with him?

David Beckham coming to the US will change MLS for the better. He will bring more fans to the games and hopefully make the league more known for its talent. Even if you think MLS players suck, but will watch it now because of Beckham you will realize MLS has quality players. Now saying Beckham coming over will bring more European players over is vague of you to think. There is a possibility for more players to come to the US, but I think it will be later on.
ManUalltheway- I agree and disagree with you. MLS is probably the worst league right now, but saying the US will never win the World Cup is not realistic. Yea the European teams are extremely talented, I believe in the near future US will surprise people like yourself. It might take some time, but it will happen.

someone - LOL i dont mean to be disrespectful, i respect what you believe but thats just insane. the u.s will never win the world cup. its impossible. the players are nowhere near the quality of south american or european teams. the u.s can never last a game with a european team, even in friendly games they try their best, bring down their best players, the european teams bring half a team and play at practice level, and still win. your just letting yourself down by thinking so.

What kind of nonsense? This is not interesting. There is no such a thing.

Commonly on saturdays don't have much to do ,certainly not after 2 o'clock at night , so I'm surfing through the net. I'm interested in pages made with movable ,especially the design. Nice theme!