Beckham to LA

laneela · Post by **laneela** » January 11, 2007, 5:00 pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6248835.stm

'"Soccer in the United States is the biggest-played sport up to a certain age, and I want to take it to another level,'' Beckham said... ' I wonder if he feels dirty calling it "soccer". I hope he manages to increase american public interest in professional soccer (><) though!

I wish (that bastard) Leiweke would show this much interest in his hockey franchise.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » January 11, 2007, 6:21 pm

5 year, $250 million.....

Post by **Sylvus** » January 11, 2007, 6:32 pm

Is that legit, or speculation on your part?

I wasn't aware that MLS had that kind of money, unless they're banking on him turning the whole sport around. I mean, it's possible, I suppose.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » January 11, 2007, 6:46 pm

That's from an AP article on ESPN.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 65&cc=5901

Raistin · Post by **Raistin** » January 11, 2007, 6:48 pm

MLS is dead in 2 years. He just took every single profit they had, or will make.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » January 11, 2007, 6:58 pm

MLS has been dying since the day it was born. Soccer is BORING.

Drolgin Steingrinder · January 11, 2007, 7:13 pm

$250 mil? I'd guess that's including his sponsorship deals: Pepsi, Adidas, POLICE sunglasses, Castrol, TBC, Marks and Spencer, Tsubasa Systems, Meiji, Upper Deck, and Vodafone.

The highest paid players in the world - Ronaldinho, Steven Gerrard, Ronaldo and the like - are in the $12-15 mil / year range, so to me, this amount sounds ridiculous. But what do I know, you 'mericans like to throw good money after bad.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 12, 2007, 10:37 am

He is still one of the most popular players in the world and they will get insane revenue from merchandise sale and increased tickets. As for has-been.. well.. Real Madrid wanted to extend his contract.

Morgrym · Post by **Morgrym** » January 12, 2007, 10:45 am

He will not gain true popularity until he splits with "posh spice" and rockets both of their careers.

The 250 mil is a total figure, I believe the actual range is 50 mil over 5 years and the 200 coming out of endorsments. Still more than a scoccer player or any professional athlete should earn anyway. I bet the rest of the US league is pissed since they average less than 100k per year.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » January 12, 2007, 12:14 pm

Yeah Drolgin, he's getting an absolutely sick amount of money for joining this team in the US.

Beckham was fucking amazing back in the day, he just got lazy after leaving Man United and going to Real. He is still a joy to watch when he bothers playing to his potential.

I suspect this move happened so he can go and join the Californian branch of Scientology, what with the hanging around with Tom Cruise and all recently.

Drolgin Steingrinder · January 12, 2007, 3:24 pm

Morgrym wrote:He will not gain true popularity until he splits with "posh spice" and rockets both of their careers.

The 250 mil is a total figure, I believe the actual range is 50 mil over 5 years and the 200 coming out of endorsments. Still more than a scoccer player or any professional athlete should earn anyway. I bet the rest of the US league is pissed since they average less than 100k per year.

I imagine that the average MLS player is ecstatic that Beckham is coming. Scouts from european clubs rarely go talentshopping in North America, but all of a sudden there's going to be a european media focus on the league, and that is going to triple the chance that US players will get noticed by mid-table clubs over here. Also: if Becks does well, a lot of european players might consider a year or two in the MLS, as it will no longer be football oblivion but a place that has attention.

Wait, let me rephrase, my english is stinkypoo today:

Currently, the *only* reasons a european player would have to play in North America would be personal (family etc) or money, of which there isn't all that much. An up-and-coming player from a minor european league would never relocate to the MLS because there's no logical progression from there. A scout from a mid-table german or english club isn't going to spend the money and time needed to trek across the US when he can check out 30 clubs in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Sweden for the same investment. And so players who *do* go to the US will be forgotten. On their footballing resume it'll have the same effect as a 2 year vacation.

But with David Beckham there, there *will* be media attention. It might not all be factual (odds are that it'll be 80% gossip and 20% sports), but it will be there. And that, more than anything, is what the younger up and coming players look for - a springboard to a better club and a higher profile.

If he's making 10ish mil / year from the club I'd say that the club got a good deal. The Beckham fanbois all over the world are going to buy half a million LA GALAXY jerseys at what, $100 a pop? The sponsors are going to be falling over each other to get a piece of that.

I'm not one of those fanboys, but I have to disagree with you, Nick - Beckham didn't get lazy. He got older. And the Real coaches insisted on using him mainly as a winger, in a league were wingers are fucking *fast*. And Beckham is not fast - he never was. Real had plenty of world class central midfielders so there was no clearly defined role for him to play.

Animale · Post by **Animale** » January 12, 2007, 3:36 pm

Let's just say about Beckham, in the last world cup, when he was healthy (the initial rounds), it wasn't his fault England was playing like crap. The horrible American announcers were roasting him on a spit the entire game, and all I saw was Beckham giving it his all, running hard after balls in his zone, and creating about 80% of England's scoring chances by the power of his crossing abilities. He did his job, it's NOT his fault the forwards couldn't do shit with his open crosses in the box.
Yet, because he's famous and probably the only soccer player a casual U.S. fan would recognize, the announcers were saying he was lazing around and playing poorly. Wankers. Of course, then he got hurt and was puking on the field... but I think he left it all out there to the best of his abilities, which is all you can fucking as for.

Animale

Truant · Post by **Truant** » January 12, 2007, 4:59 pm

I'll be buying tickets to FC Dallas games to see him play. I hope it works out as the MLS is hoping to.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · January 12, 2007, 5:25 pm

Truant wrote:I'll be buying tickets to FC Dallas games to see him play. I hope it works out as the MLS is hoping to.

It won't. Americans just don't care for soccer enough for it to be the big gala event it is in other countries. We already have more exciting and captivating sports that hold our monetary attention. A dude from England coming over does shit. Maybe you'll see a bump in July and August, but then it will go away again. The only winner here is Beckhams bank account.

Drolgin Steingrinder · January 12, 2007, 7:15 pm

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote: We already have more exciting and captivating sports that hold our monetary attention.

In your feebleminded opinion, sure. Is it possible for you to post on a sport that doesn't interest you without slamming it?

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » January 12, 2007, 7:55 pm

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:
Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote: We already have more exciting and captivating sports that hold our monetary attention.
In your feebleminded opinion, sure. Is it possible for you to post on a sport that doesn't interest you without slamming it?

but...he speaks for ALL Americans!

I enjoy the few games I get here. We don't have any clubs in Austin, and something about the Dallas team makes me want to support their opponent

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » January 12, 2007, 7:57 pm

All I can hope for is a Spice Girl reunion!!

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 12, 2007, 10:01 pm

Funny how he is well past his peak according to a lot of people when both Real Madrid and AC Milan wanted him heh.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » January 13, 2007, 1:01 am

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:If he's making 10ish mil / year from the club I'd say that the club got a good deal. The Beckham fanbois all over the world are going to buy half a million LA GALAXY jerseys at what, $100 a pop? The sponsors are going to be falling over each other to get a piece of that.

You bastard! I got home to an email from foxsoccershop.com selling these! By the time you customize it with his name and number and have it shipped...right around 100 bucks.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · January 13, 2007, 10:36 am

Canelek wrote:You also happen to love being a douchebag, we can all see that from the rest of your threads.

Great argument on soccer and Beckham.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » January 13, 2007, 2:24 pm

Fuck Cart and Midnyte rimming eachother while the rest of the board calls them out for being douchebags, what a fucking surprise.

And it's called football, bitches.

Im not one of those fanboys, but I have to disagree with you, Nick - Beckham didn't get lazy. He got older. And the Real coaches insisted on using him mainly as a winger, in a league were wingers are fucking *fast*. And Beckham is not fast - he never was. Real had plenty of world class central midfielders so there was no clearly defined role for him to play.

Beckham always played winger for United so it's not like he was totally out of position

, the Madrid setup never really worked out for the type of player he was, which was a shame, because he was fucking amazing. He just didn't seem to have the same hunger for the ball or to make the chances he used to (example: Wayne Rooney now), maybe that was down to just getting older.

He was still one of the better England players in the last world cup, I think the worst ones were Michael Owen, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole. (The best was Terry) - slight digression but still

Nick · Post by **Nick** » January 13, 2007, 2:35 pm

I think I shall!

The joy of reading a grown man babble like you do never gets old.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » January 13, 2007, 2:36 pm

Nick wrote:
Im not one of those fanboys, but I have to disagree with you, Nick - Beckham didn't get lazy. He got older. And the Real coaches insisted on using him mainly as a winger, in a league were wingers are fucking *fast*. And Beckham is not fast - he never was. Real had plenty of world class central midfielders so there was no clearly defined role for him to play.
Beckham always played winger for United so it's not like he was totally out of position , the Madrid setup never really worked out for the type of player he was, which was a shame, because he was fucking amazing. He just didn't seem to have the same hunger for the ball or to make the chances he used to (example: Wayne Rooney now), maybe that was down to just getting older.

I'm not Drolgin, but I think he meant that he wasn't really cut for playing winger as a result of getting older. Not because he'd never played it before.

Cart, contribute to the conversation or shut up. Don't just follow around trying to pick fights anywhere Midnyte posts.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » January 13, 2007, 2:59 pm

Truant wrote:
Nick wrote:
Im not one of those fanboys, but I have to disagree with you, Nick - Beckham didn't get lazy. He got older. And the Real coaches insisted on using him mainly as a winger, in a league were wingers are fucking *fast*. And Beckham is not fast - he never was. Real had plenty of world class central midfielders so there was no clearly defined role for him to play.
Beckham always played winger for United so it's not like he was totally out of position , the Madrid setup never really worked out for the type of player he was, which was a shame, because he was fucking amazing. He just didn't seem to have the same hunger for the ball or to make the chances he used to (example: Wayne Rooney now), maybe that was down to just getting older.
I'm not Drolgin, but I think he meant that he wasn't really cut for playing winger as a result of getting older. Not because he'd never played it before.

Cart, contribute to the conversation or shut up. Don't just follow around trying to pick fights anywhere Midnyte posts.

So let me get this straight Droglin, Nick and Cannotgetajob can come in here and insult Midnyte and not get a STFU, Look at the thread asswipe look who started it you asswipes always seem to forget that.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » January 13, 2007, 4:26 pm

Cartalas wrote:So let me get this straight Droglin, Nick and Cannotgetajob can come in here and insult Midnyte and not get a STFU, Look at the thread asswipe look who started it you asswipes always seem to forget that.

First, I didn't realize you were Midnyte's protector. That's kind of cute.

Second, I did look at the thread, and I did see who started it. Drolgin and Nick did not come in here to insult Midnyte. They were discussing the topic of the thread. Midnyte first entered with obvious trollbait, and noone took it. So he tried again, got a response from Drolgin, and subsequently called him an Asshole. (he also made broad sweeping statements, without backing them up...something he largely criticizes others for. As well as immediately resorting to name calling, something else he largely criticizes others for). So tell me, asswipe, who started it?

Canelek did jump into the thread to fight with Midnyte, I'll give you that. So 1 out of 4 isn't bad for you, really.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 13, 2007, 5:27 pm

You guys should start a gang, like, a internet gang.

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » January 14, 2007, 12:32 am

Midnyte is *partially* correct in that the current US audience for professional soccer isn't that large at the moment. It comes in behind the NCAA (various sports), NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR and even the NHL. However, writing it off totally is short sighted and shows a lack of ability to appreciate the way the world changes and our views on sport with it.

I think this is a huge gamble by the LA Franchise and the MLS as a whole but it could also pay off. You go back 15 years to the largest attention that hockey was able to gain with Wayne Gretzky in LA and it starts to look more feasible. What remains to be seen is how Beckham will do as ambassador of the sport to American audiences and if the MLS will be able to sustain a popularity boost (which the NHL was not able to do in large part). If the media attention leads to a sustained increase in fanbase, married to the projected revenue from things like Beckham jerseys, this could be the springboard for soccer in North America... but you never know until it plays out.

Another unknown in this is the age of sports audiences. I saw some commentary about the age of "traditional" sports fans (i.e. football, baseball, basketball, hockey) getting older, with younger fans going more to things like Xtreme sports and Ultimate fighting and less time intensive events: a lot of younger fans don't want to sit down for 3 hrs to watch a game. It will be interesting to see how this all turns out in the long run.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · January 14, 2007, 11:09 am

Wulfran wrote:Midnyte is *partially* correct in that the current US audience for professional soccer isn't that large at the moment. It comes in behind the NCAA (various sports), NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR and even the NHL. However, writing it off totally is short sighted and shows a lack of ability to appreciate the way the world changes and our views on sport with it.

I think this is a huge gamble by the LA Franchise and the MLS as a whole but it could also pay off. You go back 15 years to the largest attention that hockey was able to gain with Wayne Gretzky in LA and it starts to look more feasible. What remains to be seen is how Beckham will do as ambassador of the sport to American audiences and if the MLS will be able to sustain a popularity boost (which the NHL was not able to do in large part). If the media attention leads to a sustained increase in fanbase, married to the projected revenue from things like Beckham jerseys, this could be the springboard for soccer in North America... but you never know until it plays out.

Another unknown in this is the age of sports audiences. I saw some commentary about the age of "traditional" sports fans (i.e. football, baseball, basketball, hockey) getting older, with younger fans going more to things like Xtreme sports and Ultimate fighting and less time intensive events: a lot of younger fans don't want to sit down for 3 hrs to watch a game. It will be interesting to see how this all turns out in the long run.

The problem with your argument is that, even though Gretsky made more people care about Hockey, it still wasn't a lot. Also, since he left, Hockey went back into obscurity. Hockey doesn't captivate Americans attention. 90% of the USA doesn't play Hockey, has never played Hockey, has no interest in Hockey. 99% of Americans have played Soccewr as a kid and by age 12 never touched a soccer ball ever again. The sport doesn't capture the attention of Americans. No mater how hard they try as long as truly exciting sports with tons of actions like Football and Nascar(yuck) exsist, along with Baseball and Basketball, Hockey and Soccer will be way behind.

On the bright side, I think more people watch Soccer and Hockey than the WNBA. So grats on that.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 14, 2007, 1:19 pm

Did you just call Nascar a "Truly exiting sport"??? Ok, that invalidates your entire argument!

Midnyte_Ragebringer · January 14, 2007, 3:43 pm

Kelshara wrote:Did you just call Nascar a "Truly exiting sport"??? Ok, that invalidates your entire argument!

To those who watch it and dump millions into it every year it must be. I wouldn't know. I'm not into it myself.

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » January 14, 2007, 5:58 pm

Midnyte: you need to buy a net to catch everything that goes over your head and/or take some reading comprehension classes.

Gretzky DID give the NHL a temporary surge that had some wondering if it could rival for the NBA as the pro sport ranked #3, however David Stern has shown a lot more aptitude in being able to sell and grow his NBA markets and address problems than his protege Gary Bettman has with the NHL. I do believe a fair bit of it is a cultural thing: you don't have 6 months of winter with every pond turning into a skating rink in most of the US but you do have a lot more basketball courts to encourage the grassroots. Gretzky generated enough extra interest in the NHL to make the investment by the LA Kings pay off and who is to say Beckham can't do the same thing for a sport that has already been growing its fan base in the US?

And as you point Soccer doesn't have that same degree of disadvantage that hockey faces: almost every kid in the US plays it at some point... all you need is a field where you can set up some goals and a ball. Its cheap to play in comparason to other team sports (i.e. no pads, helmets, bat, glovesor other equipment), and now you have an international star showing them they can make millions at it. There will be some who dream of being the next Beckham instead of the next Ladanian Tomlinson or Lebron James.

And as long as the NLS makes more than they pay out to Beckham, they still come out ahead, even if it is only a temporary rise in popularity and revenues. But I guess you're right Midnyte: popularity and support of sports and franchises is a totally static thing and people's tastes never change at all...

Midnyte_Ragebringer · January 14, 2007, 6:50 pm

Wulfran wrote: But I guess you're right Midnyte: popularity and support of sports and franchises is a totally static thing and people's tastes never change at all...

I'm not say they can't or won't change. I'm saying where is the hope that you think it has even a chance in hell of changing in the next 5 years.

Which sport will it rival in popularity? NFL? MLB? NBA? NCAAF? NCAAB?

Ok, how about NASCAR?

Ummm, can it even catch the NHL?

I'd venture to say more people watch WSOP than MLS in this country.

I hope your optomistic view of Soccer minus the reality of the past 40 years is right.

Raistin · Post by **Raistin** » January 15, 2007, 8:09 pm

If you don't like what a person writes, don't read it. Its simple. Stop with the bitching, ladies.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » January 17, 2007, 8:38 pm

While lots of little kids plays it, I'm not sure how long most kids stay in it. Down here it seems mostly as a warm-up for little league and pop warner, and only the kid's who's mommies don't like the idea of contact or getting hit by a stray pitch actually play past 3rd or 4th grade.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 18, 2007, 10:32 am

masteen wrote:and only the kid's who's mommies don't like the idea of contact or getting hit by a stray pitch actually play past 3rd or 4th grade.

heh makes no sense. There is tons of contact in soccer and some pretty nasty injuries.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » January 19, 2007, 6:02 pm

It's about parent perception really. Everyone leaves a football game with bruises and cuts, not always true of soccer.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » March 2, 2007, 12:36 pm

Wulfran wrote:Midnyte: you need to buy a net to catch everything that goes over your head and/or take some reading comprehension classes.

Gretzky DID give the NHL a temporary surge that had some wondering if it could rival for the NBA as the pro sport ranked #3, however David Stern has shown a lot more aptitude in being able to sell and grow his NBA markets and address problems than his protege Gary Bettman has with the NHL. I do believe a fair bit of it is a cultural thing: you don't have 6 months of winter with every pond turning into a skating rink in most of the US but you do have a lot more basketball courts to encourage the grassroots. Gretzky generated enough extra interest in the NHL to make the investment by the LA Kings pay off and who is to say Beckham can't do the same thing for a sport that has already been growing its fan base in the US?

And as you point Soccer doesn't have that same degree of disadvantage that hockey faces: almost every kid in the US plays it at some point... all you need is a field where you can set up some goals and a ball. Its cheap to play in comparason to other team sports (i.e. no pads, helmets, bat, glovesor other equipment), and now you have an international star showing them they can make millions at it. There will be some who dream of being the next Beckham instead of the next Ladanian Tomlinson or Lebron James.

And as long as the NLS makes more than they pay out to Beckham, they still come out ahead, even if it is only a temporary rise in popularity and revenues. But I guess you're right Midnyte: popularity and support of sports and franchises is a totally static thing and people's tastes never change at all...

There are a couple of things here:

I think that americans seeing someone be a huge earner playing soccer in the states will definitely have an effect on kids seeing soccer through more as opposed to heading to more potentially lucrative sports as you have stated. I also think that as more and more Americans make good money overseas and can be watched in this country on the various sports channels simulcasting the games increases, it will also help promote continuing play through their teen years. Teens also have access to watching these world class games to see how passionate the fans are.

Soccer specific stadiums are popping up now and will become the norm by the 2008 season. The stadiums are designed for excellent soccer viewing and they improve the experience greatly. I’m already on the wait-list for Red Bull season tickets in the new stadium as it’s going to be a top-notch facility.

The Hispanic community is constantly growing. Their interest in the sport can drive it forward by leaps and bounds. In addition, there are plenty of Americans as a whole who love their teams and their home leagues. One of the only games which sold out Pheonix’s football stadium since it’s been opened was a Barcelona game. Inter and AC, Celtic, Man UTD, Bayern, Boca, Werder, etc would all sell out in football sized stadiums. It’s trying to get these people behind a native MLS team that’s the trick. I personally think it can happen.

AEG is putting up the bulk of cash for Beckham. From a risk standpoint, the MLS risk is not very large.

Beckham is busting his ass and has been turning heads with his quality of play since the announcement. This is not a complacent, overindulged star. His attitude kinda reminds me of Jeter

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » March 2, 2007, 1:13 pm

Chidoro wrote:I also think that as more and more Americans make good money overseas and can be watched in this country on the various sports channels simulcasting the games increases, it will also help promote continuing play through their teen years. Teens also have access to watching these world class games to see how passionate the fans are.

I really wish I could get more games here.

The network features a thrilling lineup of world class soccer, including the Barclays English Premier League; the English FA Cup; the UEFA Cup final; friendly matches for the United States, England and Brazil national teams; national leagues from Europe and Latin America and tournaments including the FIFA World Club Championships and the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

Fox Soccer Channel is the broadcast home for American soccer with coverage of Major League Soccer, the United Soccer Leagues, College Soccer and Youth Soccer.

They play far too few Bundesliga games (rare if ever) for my taste though ><

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » March 2, 2007, 2:12 pm

Yeah, Gol TV carries the Bundesliga on my sports tier package through Comcast which is 7 or so channels that also include FSC, NBA TV, and four college sports stations for an extra $5 per month.

miir · Post by **miir** » March 2, 2007, 2:26 pm

masteen wrote:It's about parent perception really. Everyone leaves a football game with bruises and cuts, not always true of soccer.

Don't really know much at all about soccer, do ya?

Post by **Sylvus** » March 2, 2007, 2:28 pm

Everyone always leaves a soccer game with cuts and bruises?

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » March 2, 2007, 3:29 pm

I think it's a general lack of understanding just how much physical contact there is especially at the highest levels of play. I would place the likelihood of bumps and bruises on a similar level as the NBA. Goalies have to be really ballsy and there are enforcers on teams out there. Just the kind of stuff most people wouldn't know about soccer since they've never really seen it played at a level higher than as a 12 year old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvWxsw1M ... ed&search=

This was the Chelsea's backup goalie getting slammed in the box. Their first goalie has his head caved in by a knee while diving for the ball earlier that game. I was watching this game live and it was nasty looking.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » March 2, 2007, 4:24 pm

Chidoro wrote:Goalies have to be really ballsy and there are enforcers on teams out there. Just the kind of stuff most people wouldn't know about soccer since they've never really seen it played at a level higher than as a 12 year old.

Most teams don't "advertise" the enforcers either...we called ours the "monster" position. I played it for a couple years, and we actually practiced missing the ball on "accident." It's pretty damn scary seeing what effect that can have when you get adults involved.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » March 4, 2007, 11:52 pm

Sylvus wrote:Everyone always leaves a soccer game with cuts and bruises?

If you haven't you probably shouldn't be on the pitch.

Homercles · Post by **Homercles** » March 5, 2007, 12:27 pm

Everyone always leaves a soccer game with cuts and bruises?

sure.....if you're sitting in the bleachers.
Nothing beats a good soccer riot.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » March 5, 2007, 12:42 pm

rut roh

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Los Angeles Galaxy-bound soccer star David Beckham could be out for up to two months after injuring his knee during a Spanish league game.

Beckham, whose recent five-year contract with the Galaxy is worth about $27.5 million in base salary, awaited the results Monday of a scan on his injured knee.

The 31-year-old midfielder with Real Madrid injured a ligament during a 1-1 draw with Getafe in the Spanish league on Sunday, and limped off the field. Beckham's current contract with Real Madrid ends June 30, and the Galaxy had expected he would join the team in August.

Beckham was substituted in the 69th minute, 37 minutes after teammate Jose Antonio Reyes was carried off on a stretcher after suffering the same injury to his left knee.

"Neither of them will play in Germany," Madrid manager Fabio Capello said after the match. "One of the injuries is serious and the other could be something important. We will have to see."

Capello also ruled Beckham out of Madrid's Spanish league match against second-placed FC Barcelona on Saturday. Any chance of Beckham returning to the England squad for the European championships qualifiers later this month is also in doubt.

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » July 8, 2007, 3:04 pm

masteen wrote:It's about parent perception really. Everyone leaves a football game with bruises and cuts, not always true of soccer.

Just found this thread again, thought I'd respond with an example:

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 8, 2007, 3:28 pm

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:
masteen wrote:It's about parent perception really. Everyone leaves a football game with bruises and cuts, not always true of soccer.
Just found this thread again, thought I'd respond with an example:

Everyone leave a game as a red X?

Trek · Post by **Trek** » July 8, 2007, 4:47 pm

Boogahz wrote:
Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:
masteen wrote:It's about parent perception really. Everyone leaves a football game with bruises and cuts, not always true of soccer.
Just found this thread again, thought I'd respond with an example:

Everyone leave a game as a red X?

Yeah, its a pretty fucking brutal sport. If they didnt wear shin pads they would leave the game as a red v because they get kicked so hard

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 14, 2007, 6:31 pm

Drolgin, Jersey sales have almost reached the goal you set earlier in this thread. I believe the number sold was something like 250,000 in the last few days since they revealed the new look. Here's to the hope that his arrival will actually help the sport in the US. Maybe then I could watch more full games and fewer highlights on Fifa.com and elsewhere...

VeeshanVault

Beckham to LA

Beckham to LA

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