Why I Like Becks.

(reprint from Sep 20, 2009)

I don't follow the MLS, but it was easy to notice if you watch the news, the way LA Galaxy fans reacted to David Beckham, their only world class player, against AC Milan this weekend.

They jeered him, taunted him, flipped the bird, and all that could be expected. Perhaps it is remarkable that Galaxy fans --like their fair weather sports cousins, Lakers Fans, Dodgers Fans, Dallas Cowboys fans for that matter-- actually made an appearance. They tend to be better than other sorts fans in LA, an entertainment town.

Could be Lindsey Lohan and Jack Nicholson, each an easy celebrity sighting, were in the front row. Nonetheless, the fans got their rocks off, and the squad gave their usual flacid 90 minutes on the pitch, against a bunch of 40 year old Italian grandfathers.

The gripe, according to the fans, seems to be that Becks was disloyal by taking time off in the MLS post-season by playing in Italy.

And that's it. Instead of sitting on his butt, Becks played. And he played for a top team, in the top flight of what may be the best league in the world. In actuality, Becks got fit, kept his skills sharp, scored a few, and came back more prepared than any of his teammates could even hope for. Not bad, considering most of LA were by the pool, or spent the spring of '09 auditioning for a spot in a bad Lifetime TV mini-series.

So, enough about the weekend. And enough about LA sports fans, with all of their wanton celebrity-sighting obsessions, and their fake boobs, colagen injections, smog and bad traffic. But, I'd like to say a few things about David Beckham that most of the country and the world football establishment probably don't want to hear. Or things that, obscurred by media and celebrity, have even not been considered.

Whether you hate his celebrity, or his ten year association with Manchester United, or his wife and her association with the Spice Girls, or his hair styles, or that fact that there are better athletes in the world who are less famous than him; or whatever you can muster about Becks, there's one fact that stands on its own. That is, that time after time David Beckham has delivered. For England, for club, for the English Football Association or for the MLS.

Need an example? October 2001, England play home to Greece in a World Cup qualifier. Yet much of the England squad, having boozed it up the night before, can't pass the ball, can't kick, can't do squat. Nigel Martyn's goalie mitts are made of marshmallow, Owen and Heskey can't get a foot on the ball. Scholes is having a bad game, and even Gerrard looks hung over. All they have to do, since Germany meanwhile can't beat Finland, is NOT LOSE and they've got their place in World Cup 2002

Down 2 -1 against a slow albeit spirited Greece, Becks takes a free kick putting it net-side 3 minutes into extra time. England advance, sparing the team and country the embarassing thought of having to fight Ireland for a World Cup spot.

Another example... May 1999, Man United are down 1-0 against Bayern, the Kings of Europe. With both central midfielders and their captain suspended, Becks takes on the central role. With 3 minutes left he serves up two corner kicks, resulting in two goals last-minute to win the coveted European Cup for Man United, their first Euro Cup in 30 years.

Then there's business: He's a one man marketing machine. Becks has brought more to America's Major League Soccer, in terms of interest and sponsorship dollars, than they ever could without him. That's important considering he was on one of the MLS's worst teams last year. He did the same for England, Man United and Real Madrid selling more jerseys than all other players combined.

That aside, Beckham's style of play is team-oriented. His passing is spot on. And just when you find yourself complaining about how much he's getting paid, his high level of visibility, etc, there he goes scoring again. And usually on a free kick, in a goal down situation. Yet, football pundits, English and otherwise, take their shots at Becks for one reason only: that they are bothered by his fame.

On Fox Football Fone-in, Steven Cohen moans week after week, about how Becks is "ruining football" while moaning further about Becks not appearing on their show (with its 10 x 4 foot studio). Chances are, if Beckham was scoring for Cohen's beloved Chelsea, he might spare us all and stop his moaning in general.

Meanwhile, Alexi Lalas, the uninformed commentator, failed manager, former US player and one-time grunge band musician habitualy bags on Beckham, while praising many third rate US players as 'brilliant". Note to Lalas: the US has never had a world class male player. Never.

The stats stand firm on their on too: 63 goals for Man United as a midfielder...not bad, and 17 goals for England. But much of what Becks brings to the game is professionalism, quality play, and a decent amount humility for a man who is bigger than Oprah and Madonna in most parts of the world.

One thought might put it in perspective. In the late 1980's, a lot of folks complained about Andre Agassi's fame, and when he started winning Grand Slams they shut up. Beckham, short of that timely luxury, has been good from the start.

So, I implore you football fans...or soccer fans as my fellow Yanks might call themselves: Pop open a quality beer, and enjoy the kicks while Beckham is still playing, and before he's retired soon. Even if it is once every four years, circa World Cup. At age 34, it's fair to say that you won't -for much longer-- have Becks to kick around anymore.

Yours in Joga Bonito,
Andy Frye