Beckham kicks U.S. soccer up a notch

How do you make one of the world’s most beloved sports famous in the United States? Easy.

Recruit the planet’s most popular athlete, Britain’s soccer star David Beckham. And where else is the best place to bring fame and fortune to America than the city of Los Angeles?

Singers and movie stars, step back. Beckham not only brings good looks and years of experience, but he moves to the L.A. Galaxy team as one of the highest paid athletes in the history of American sports, cutting $250 million over five years, including endorsements.

Yet, it is assumed his large paycheck reflects his reputable talent, but the former England captain found himself on the bench most of the season while currently playing for Spain’s Real Madrid.

So is his move to the U.S. significant to the sport of soccer? Sure it is. But it’s not enough, and it won’t last long.

After seasons of dexterous soccer playing with Manchester United, and extraordinary moments of crosses and his brilliant free kicks, it is no surprise the talented winner became a legend.

Seemingly, to many, David Beckham is the epitome of the devoted soccer player.

Yet, his popularity brings him to the United States, and his goal is not to popularize the sport, but to start from the bottom and enhance interest and a love for the game among youngsters.

Can one man alone change the perception of soccer in America? We have already tried that, and it didn’t work. Can Beckham do what the great Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, couldn’t?

He could try.

Although UMHB senior soccer midfielder Justin Dollins is eager about Beckham’s move, the skepticism lingers.

“It is great for the popularity of Major League Soccer in the U.S,” Dollins said. “I believe that Beckham coming to the L.A. Galaxy will bring bigger crowds and a larger fan base. But will not really affect the popularity of soccer as much as it will affect ticket sales.”

That may very well be.

Yet, Beckham believes differently.

“I am not saying my coming to the States is going to make soccer the biggest sport in America because that is going to be very difficult to achieve," Beckham said via satellite from Madrid at a L.A. news conference. “But I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't believe I could make a difference and take soccer to a different level. This is something that I believe in.”

Confidence or not, it may take something more than just the move of a famous world athlete to change America’s perception of the sport.