David Beckham coming to MLS?

ESPN.com ^

[cfo]

David Beckham has hinted that he may be prepared to play in the United States before he ends his career as signs of his growing popularity in that part of the world were evident ahead of England's friendly international with Colombia.

Beckham was greeted with the kind of media frenzy and flashing light bulbs that have probably not greeted a soccer player in America since the days of Pele, George Best and Franz Beckenbauer in the mid 1970s as he gave his pre-match press conference.

In the immediate term the 30-year-old sees his playing career at Real Madrid and he is prepared to hold talks over a new deal - he has two years left of his current contract - in the summer.

But Beckham, who is launching his soccer academy in Los Angeles later this week, did not rule out the possibility of a spell in the States before he hangs up his boots.

[cfo]

[tfecw]

and the MLS continues to be a retirement league for European players and a place for Americans who actually thought they would be good enough to play professional soccer.

[cfo]

What do you mean?

75% of US National Team players play in MLS.

[boomop1]

Is, what you call it soccer popular here?

[tfecw]

"75% of US National Team players play in MLS."

That's sort of proving my point. The US National team isn't exactly a good team.

[kevkrom]

The US National team isn't exactly a good team.

Yeah, top 10 in the world really sucks.

[cfo]

It certainly is. MLS attendance is higher than NHL and NBA.

[Spell Correctly]

They're top 10...I even think they were ranked as high as 5 or 6 not too long ago.

Don't know where they're ranked now...

[kevkrom]

MLS attendance is higher than NHL

Well, it's pretty easy to beat 0. :)

[Lou L]

Finally! I can start watching soccer...

[Minus_The_Bear]

The further wussification of America

[tfecw]

"Yeah, top 10 in the world really sucks."

Got stats for that one? I've got them as 11th in the world.

[cfo]

USA is ranked #10 in the world. Same as soccer powerhouse Italy!!

http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index/0,2548,All-May-2005,00.html

Don't let the facts get in the way of your bias.

[tfecw]

"They're top 10...I even think they were ranked as high as 5 or 6 not too long ago. "

July 04 they were 7th and that was the highest of Nov 04 where they were sitting outside of the top 10 at 11th.

[Red Badger]

Soccer is extremely popular here..........for girls........

[CollegeRepublican]

http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index/0,2548,All-May-2005,00.html

Right now the USA National Mens Team is Ranked #10 by FIFA. Tied with Italy, who is normally considered a powerhouse in soccer.

[tfecw]

"Don't let the facts get in the way of your bias."

I won't. You let me know when the MLS stops being a retirement home for European leagues and the other 75 percent of the National team gets good enough to play in Europe.

[cfo]

Hey Girlyman, post a picture of yourself so we can see how you compare to some of our soccer players

http://www.ibiblio.org/footy/2005a/0327_mex_usa_ycj.php

[The_Englishman]

I wouldn't take much notice of those rankings.

We're sixth and we're rubbish.

[cfo]

That's a logical fallacy.

If all of our National Team players played in Europe, MLS would never be considered a serious league.

We do have very successful former MLS players playing in Europe - at some of the best soccer clubs (Tim Howard at Manchester United, Beasley at PSV, McBride and Bocanegra at Fulham, Reyna at Manchester City, etc.)