So, when does he start “bending it” like Beckham?

In a summer wrought with a previously called “unbeatable” records broken, dog fights, steroids (again), and a wrestler killing his family and himself, the sports world was concentrating on one positive thing if only for a month or so: The Los Angeles Galaxy.

For those of you in the dark about the LA Galaxy (don’t be ashamed, I was too), let me enlighten you on a few things. First, the Galaxy is a professional soccer team. Secondly, they have stars like Landon Donovan, Abel Xavier and some British guy… his name escapes me… Oh yeah, David Beckham. David Beckham, formerly of the Spanish soccer squad Real Madrid, signed the largest contract in the history of professional soccer to play with the Galaxy. His first start was broadcast on ESPN and the sports megastation brought 19 cameras. One camera’s sole purpose was focused on Beckham the entire match, even when he was on the bench. Five were used for interviews.

He didn’t start, and he didn’t score a goal in the 1-0 loss. He had another match in which he didn’t start, and didn’t score a goal in another 1-0 loss. Finally, on August 8, Beckham started, as captain of his new team. He scored a goal on a free kick in the 27th minute, and gave an assist to Donovan for the 2-0 victory.

His first regular season match up on August 18, in which he started, played the entire 90 minutes, had two assists, and no goals in a 5-4 loss.

So let’s tally up this amazing soccer superstar. He scored one goal that wasn’t in regular season play, four assists, and that’s about it. Did I mention he’s injured now? He has been sidelined with an ankle injury and hasn’t played since his big regular season start.

So, when does he start “bending it” like Beckham? The LA Galaxy website, which mentions the jerseys just flying off the shelves, might be a bit of an exaggeration. Why? Someone would be hard pressed to find one on a shelf. I’m sorry, but having been born in this country, and being horribly abused by having to watch great sports icons like Walter Payton, Don Mattingly, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan, I frankly don’t see what the big deal about this guy is.

His popularity is plain to see. His wife is a 10 on the babe-o-meter and he isn’t painful to look at either. If I didn’t know better, I would guess he was a movie star or a singer, not an athlete.

It’s time to face the music soccer fans. Soccer, like hockey, will never beat the Sports Trinity in America: football, baseball and basketball. Am I saying that soccer is ridiculous and isn’t a sport? Of course not; soccer is an extremely difficult sport.

I just don’t see what the big deal about this over-the-pond superstar is all about.

Really, 66,000 attended the first match? The Galaxy would be lucky if 66 attended the next Beckham showing.

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