[discostu]

A bust is a bust is a bust. He didn’t do what they wanted him to do. And really some of that is his fault. Part of a player growing a sport is being an ambassador for it, that’s why Gretzky had such an impact on hockey’s popularity in the US. Gretz gave a lot of interviews, was highly approachable, and always friendly. When Beckham came over he really didn’t do that.

[thefactor]

no he didn't really make the effort in terms of soccer, but in all fairness, no one cared about him coming over here to play soccer. the media only cared about his wife and their social life and their kids' names and all that other stuff.

no magazine or tv show ever cared about soccer. hockey, as unpopular as it is compared to other sports, did have a loyal following back in gretzky's day. and he was the king of hockey.

like i said, if pele couldn't do it for US soccer in the 70's, no one can do it.