David,
It’s been a while since we last talked; hope your stay in Italy is treating you well. Sorry to hear about your recent ousting from the UEFA Cup, but at least the Scudetto is still within reach, right? Err… never mind. I read this afternoon that you’re feeling a little frustrated over the Galaxy’s refusal to accept Milan’s paltry offer to keep you. Believe me; I can empathize with you. I’ve been a bit irritated myself these past few weeks, but for slightly different reasons, so I’d like to get a few things off my chest, if you’ve got a minute.
See, I’ve spent the better part of the past two years defending your name whenever someone spoke negatively of your decision to come to Los Angeles. When critics claimed that you only came to MLS for a big payday, I took offense and regurgitated your talking points about having a desire to grow the American game and to be an ambassador for the sport in the United States. At that point, I had no reason to believe that you would go against your word and try to skip town less than halfway through our five-year commitment to each other.
I’ve gotten over the fact that Galaxy management blew apart anything resembling team chemistry or a long-term version for success when they saw the dollar signs attached to your signing. Not surprisingly, when instant results didn’t materialize, the suits made more ill-advised personnel moves that caused a once-prestigious club to plunge into the darkest period in its history. I’m only slightly disturbed that, because of your presence on the roster, the same management is getting away with steadily raising ticket prices on its most loyal of fans, even as the quality on the field has deteriorated beyond recognition. That part doesn’t have much to do with you, though I understand you do pocket a cut of the ticket sales…
I’m more surprised than angry that your form on the field hasn’t lived up to my own expectations. For all of the hype that surrounds your set piece ability, I didn’t see you take a single dangerous free kick in your home stadium over a two-season span (save for that strike in a virtually meaningless SuperLiga game in ’07). Sure, your ability to pass the ball the length of the field with deadly accuracy was as advertised. I just expected more from the set pieces; after all, it’s what you are known for, not those raunchy underwear ads.
I was willing to put all of the on-the-field failures aside in exchange for a brighter future. What really gets to me, however, is how you went about arranging this Milan rebirthing of yours – going behind the backs of your club and your league. I have to ask, was an official loan even necessary? I seem to recall you training with Arsenal last year in order to stay fit and in the England national team picture, but I don’t remember you playing any games for them or setting up a loan. Couldn’t you have made a similar arrangement with Milan if you truly had no intentions of bolting from your contract?
The last straw came a few weeks ago, when you decided to start doing your own trash talking from the other side of the Atlantic. Making statements that you knew would reflect poorly upon your teammates back in L.A., you essentially told the world that the perception of our league as “Mickey Mouse” is indeed true and then some, which is an unforgivable act. Don’t you have a team of lawyers and assistants that are paid to do the talking for you? You should really let them do their job.
Despite a fast start with the Rossoneri, you’re cooling down again and your older body is having a hard time avoiding little injuries. Like your effect on the Galaxy, Milan has slowly faded out of contention for any meaningful prize this season, leading to a backlash from some of the Italian club’s fans. It’s a feeling I know all too well.
Let me be clear: Your presence in the Galaxy lineup is not wanted and the circus that follows you everywhere is no longer welcome around these parts. Hopefully Milan will have more patience for your celebrity antics and crybaby ways, but somehow I doubt it. If the transfer doesn't happen, prepare for a long season in MLS, you'll have more people than just Adrian Serioux after you. And if the move to Milan does get completed, odds are good that they’ll replace you in the near future with someone half your age anyway and you’ll be forced to finish out your Milan contract by sitting on the bench, fielding offers from Mickey Mouse clubs once more.
Regretfully still yours,
Soccer in America
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i, too, was one of those who defended becks for the past two years. one of my favorite moment of last years season was when a player tackled him, got a card and he defended the player vs. the ref. "a true sportsman, this guy," i thought to myself.
i admired that he came here to push the game (the $ helped, too, i'm sure)... and to an extent he did.i don't don't recall a battle like this for an mls player with a top euro team, so yes, we are getting the exposure...along with the drama. and i actually think his actions recently have allowed the gals and mls to show that they won't be pushed over by the big clubs for the big names- it's allowed mls to set a little bit of precedent.
however, if becks is in a gals uniform this year, i cannot wait to root against him. i am sick of him and his entitled attitude. i always thought the "loan" to milan was fishy and slighting MLS quite a bit.
in the end, i wouldn't mind if becks HAD to come back. it would be a pleasure to watch him work his tail-end off in order to make the england squad. knowing that he hated his surroundings, wanted to be with oh-so-wonderful-but we're-9 points-back-and-we-just flopped-out-of-UEFA AC Milan, and NOT playing for Arena would tickle me a bit.
even more, i would make it a point to get to a few gals games in order to have the chance to jeer his whiney little ass this summer.
btw- love the site. i just found it this week. i was having dunord withdraw, and am stoked beyond belief to have mls-daily.
Very well said. Glad to see someone else feels the same way for the same exact reasons.
This is why Beckham will not return. He and his handlers know that his ability to market the league and generate massive income in this country are dead. How many Beckham jerseys are people going to buy now?
This is also why you haven't heard much from any of the parties involved. Simon Fuller, Tim Leiweke, the league and AC Milan are seriously negotiating. Leiweke wants something tangible in return for Beckham; otherwise, AEG will fire him, I believe. AEG has every right; Leiweke and his pet stooge, Alexi Lalas (whom Leiweke groomed) have screwed up the Galaxy worse than Steve Sampson ever could. He also screwed up the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and failed to get stadium deals done in San Jose and New York (until the Red Bulls bought out AEG for $50 M).
As a lowly US soccer fan (we seem to be at the bottom of the food chain) I am a bit pragmatic.
If Becks comes back and plays like he is playing for Milan, then I will watch and cheer his efforts. Mind you I say this even as an Earthquakes fan. We simply do not get and see enough really high level soccer in our country to look the other way when it is here.
That said I watched Becks play twice last year and was unimpressed except for maybe 15 minutes of play.
Soccer players must play with desire.
Shame on Becks if he agreed to come to a league (MLS) which undermined his soccer desire - he should have known better.
I think Beckham owes us this:
David,
- Make the transfer deal to Milan happen, talk to Nike et al and figure out a way to make the deal work (or)
- Come back to the US & MLS with your full passion and show us by example what world class soccer is about, motivate us with your brilliance, intelligent play, work ethic, skill.
You may think you are too good for US soccer, but it was good enough for George Best once upon a time. Consider those the shoes you have to fill.
Cheers mate!
He dreams of being George Best.
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