U.S. SOCCER SAVIOR?!?

"David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America."
- MLS commissioner Don Garber

No one knows if David Beckham's "celebrity" is still big enough to help save the MLS and, for that matter, transcend soccer in America.

The thing that shocks me more than anything else is that the L.A. Galaxy just paid this guy $250 for a five year contract! Is he really worth that much? Certainly not. From my perspective this is just an example of desperation from soccer types in America to try and boost U.S. soccer on a world wide scale. Beckham coming to America could help that cause but wasn't that what Pele' was suppose to do back in the 70's when he played for the NY Cosmos? Reuters Article

Would it be a good thing if Beckham coming to American makes this country and legit threat to compete on world soccer stage, absolutely! I remain fairly skeptical about that though. If it works then that would be great but I'm certainly not holding my breath on this one. He's 31 years old and has already played his best soccer so who knows how could he will be at 35 or 36 when his contract expires.

Another thing, what does it say about the state of U.S. soccer that we have to go across the ocean to bring in a high profile athlete? It says this country is a football, baseball, basketball and hockey nation. Soccer in America, while a good, sport will never be great like it is in other parts of the world.