This Is American Soccer, US Soccer, MNT, WNT, and MLS - Tackling the subject of Soccer in the US, and worldwide.

YOU’RE NOT ALONE EDITION

It’s funny; it’s gross; it’s painful; it’s effective; it’s better once it’s over. Wait, MLS or a clown vomiting?

Sometimes, it seems like MLS can’t win. No matter what they do, no matter the positive angles, fans and critics alike seemingly always find something wrong. Whether it’s expansion planning, player signings, or the halftime band at the MLS All-star game (Oh My…), MLS is always one or two cards short of the perfect hand. Two pair is nice, but that full house (in the stadiums?!?!) would be plum.

Beckhams will come and go, but you’ll always have your family. That’s what I was thinking after reading all the Beckham obituaries over the last week. I also received a few dozen e-mails from readers on their thoughts on Beckham’s first week in enemy territory. By the way, I love hearing readers thoughts, so keep ‘em coming, and don’t forget to send in your Diary Project entries.

I, like I suspect a lot of American soccer fans out there, was riding the fence as Beckham rolled up like a good savior always does. I didn’t really want to talk about it, and as you may have noticed, I really haven’t said much at all about it here since the original announcement, after which I made my case. But between e-mailers and the onslaught of pieces, from which there was actually some entertaining reading, I’d be remiss not to address here in the weekly news round up (and better than I did last week). This is the barometer, and damn if it’s not raining Beckham, with pressure continuing to build.

We’ve got to start with Bryant Gumble. I knew there was a reason HBO’s Real Sports is the only sports news show worth watching…

And then from a TIAS reader, Isaac VanHoose:

In the period of one week, I’ve gone from annoyingly giddy and infatuated with the Beckham invasion to our US of A, to completely despaired and frustrated. Is it just me, Adam, or does it seem like the “mania” has ALREADY lost its full head of steam???

I’ll admit it, I’m pissed. I wore both my red and then white Manchester United jerseys in support of Beckham’s historic move, followed by just about every other soccer jersey I have on consecutive days. I went about my way, triumphing his arrival to anyone who would feign an interest, putting my full faith that he WILL change American soccer.
Not with the naivety of him being “Michael Jordan” and a one man fix for the sport, but more so that his transfer signals Big Business in the MLS, and other superstars, credibility, and a higher level of play would soon follow.

Have I been delusional? Did I buy into it too quick? Now, his nagging ankle threatens his debut against Chelsea. The Galaxy just got throttled by Tigres. Does the equation add up? Does International Soccer Star/Poster Boy/Pop Icon + Mediocre American Soccer Team = Success in any way? To me, it sure doesn’t seem that way.

Maybe I’m getting too ancy, or maybe it will take time to settle out. Do you have any thoughts on it worth posting to your site, or are you steering away from the “mania” to prevent further fans (such as myself) driving themselves bonkers waiting for US Soccer to actually matter? I’m interested to know.

Cheers,
Isaac VanHoose

Well, as I replied to Isaac, he is not alone. I say that because my in-box is filled with similar sentiment, some more negative toward MLS and Becks and some more wishful. I also feel the pain myself, as the pot shots across the bow of MLS are impossible to avoid.

I think its safe to say every American soccer fan wants the sport and subsequently MLS to take a place up to be up there along with the better nations and leagues. Inasmuch, Beckham offered up just the most recent personification of this dream. And thus, if you love soccer, than at least that secret one percent of your mind that keeps things like that cute girl or boys’ class schedule up to date so you know when you might be able to catch a glimpse of them wanted Beckham to make it happen more than just make a splash. It’s ok, you can admit it. Now you see him sitting on the ground unable to practice and that little dream – like the one that had you thinking you ever, ever had a chance with the hot classmate whose schedule you memorized – started to die.

The media creates and the media destroys. Nothing, not even baseball, is as American as that. That’s part of the problem, along with the rubber-necking tendencies of humanity – the extreme being what seems like a daily occurrence: a paparazzi camera focused in on someone’s crotch as the exit a low-riding sports car.

The consolation prize of blame goes to MLS itself, which for the sake of argument we will call ‘Alexi Lalas.’ They fed the media beast for better or worse for their own gain or in the very least, the postponement of their failure. I believe they handled this all wrong, and exhibit A is the double-speak of ‘soccer has arrived’ and ‘he’s just a player.’ So which is it? could it be both?

Lalas gets the moniker for any number of the ridiculous things he has said, not the least of which was calling the 3-5-4 team he built the jewel of MLS during the toxic news conference that at least allowed from some fun ride-along pieces. The Galaxy’s poor Beckham-less showing against Mexican side Tigres, allowed the flood gates to open for British naysayers, who at this point are surprisingly the ones based in reality, with MLS’ Napoleonic complex personified by the ramblings of Lalas.

Whatever happened to distinguished maturity? Suck it up, move on, do your best. Does every criticism, especially the crap spewed by much of the English media, require a response from him? Lalas needs a leash, and a demotion. He’s now killing his second MLS franchise. His place is as a totem, a ‘special assistant to the vice president’ or something where he can spout off all he wants but without a hand on a single rein. And I’m not buying the ‘at least he gets headlines’ argument.

For the record, the Galaxy could be the jewel of MLS because of their market and ownership, and yes they have Landon Donovan and now they have Beckham, but a team that does not make. So it’s a dream hard to realize, even harder with Lalas manning the ship. I can’t believe this guy puts up with Lalas.

And I feel confident that this guy would never deal with it! This link is great article on MLS by MLB.com, of all places. It’s all business, and beautiful. Of course the connection here is that Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics will share owners with the revitalized Earthquakes.

But bitching and complaining isn’t going to do any good, and I’m guilty as the next guy, but maybe not as guilty as some; we could all learn something from Mr. Gumble. And too, for better – no it’s worse – this is the world we live in. Publicity followed by media followed by backlash, followed by Fox Soccer Channel’s David Beckham’s Soccer USA, a new weekly magazine show premiering Wednesday, July 25 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. If Rob Stone’s interview with Beckham at halftime of the All-Star game (which was as everyone suspected a giant Beckham commercial) is any indication of what lies ahead, this could be painful, but there I go again throwing more trash on the fire.

epilogue: Steve Goff, back from vacation, has a few tidbits that should be of interest in case you haven’t heard them yet, and he echoes the unmistakable conclusion from last night’s love-in.