Reviews

Beckham Always Did Have the Touch

11/29/2012

Whether putting the ball on the fast-moving toes of Ruud Van Nistelrooy or Ryan Giggs, or knowing where the cameras were, David Beckham usually had a sense of time and place.

Then he came to America and found a way to make money and grow old, not always gracefully but near the end with even an appealing touch of grit.

Not only that, but he got to dub the voice of the Geico Gecko in the commercials. At least, I think that’s him.

Check out this video where imagination and reality overlap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mgne1gQjbo.

Beckham is leaving Major League Soccer after Saturday’s championship game between the Galaxy and Houston. (ESPN Broadcast begins at 4:30 p.m.) Beckham has done his six years, longer than I thought he would last, even though he had picked a nice safe aerie above Los Angeles for his family.

But he stuck it out and last year helped win the championship, with a hamstring injury that seemed to deepen the lines in his once pretty-boy face. He was hobbled all game, so he resorted to things like tackling opponents in the open field, just like the Yanks do in their funny version of football.

He was probably worth the $32.5-million guaranteed for five years and the $4-million he endured in his sixth and final season. He earned it, by coming along at the right time in the careful maturation of M.L.S., when he could have talented teammates -- maybe not the level of his old mates at Man U or with the Galácticos of Real Madrid, but players who could do something with the ball when he directed it into their path.

The league has had plenty of aging international stars in the 17 years it has been directed first by Doug Logan and since 1999 by Don Garber -- Carlos Valderrama, Roberto Donadoni, Cuahtemoc Blanco, Youri Djorkaeff and Lothar Matthaus, just to name a few.

Most of the old guys looked as if they were here for a nice holiday with the wife or the girl friend, and frankly that’s what I thought of Beckham’s amazing summer vacation when he turned up in 2007.

Some of the old stars became disillusioned almost right away.
I remember watching Donadoni, fresh from AC Milan, coming to the hideous own-goal MetroStars in the first year of 1996. Donadoni was a modest team player, and he would receive the ball on what could have been an attack, except that he would look to the left and find not a great option and he would look to the right and find not a great option. Where were Van Basten or Gullit when he needed them?

However, M.L.S. has gotten better incrementally, in size and attendance and talent, and Beckham was able to use his aging skills. I know it wasn’t a lot of fun for Landon Donovan and other members of the Galaxy, who were caught in a huge promotion on the run. My friend Grant Wahl wrote about that in a fine book in 2009 called The Beckham Experiment. But the league and the Galaxy were able to absorb a Beckham era, and see him toss his aging body around in a title game.

Beckham is talking of some further adventure. My guess is that despite his disclaimers his ego is angling to go back for a farewell tour with Man U. How many people get a flying boot in the face from somebody named Sir Alex and yearn for a cameo return? But Beckham understands that he is part of show biz. He gave as well as he took on this gig.

Alan Rubin link

12/2/2012 03:07:14 am

George

Some interesting behind-the scenes perspective. Unlike professionals who have access to the players and club officials, us mortals mostly get our information from what we read or hear, which is often inaccurate or misleading.

I've enjoyed following Beckham's MLS career as his image improved with time and performance. Initially, I lumped him with the quick buck come and gone aging European players who added little or nothing to MLS or even US Soccer. However, as you have indicated, he will leaving an excellent legacy.

We will probably never know what Beckham's initial reasons for coming to LA or whether his positive attitude evolved over time, but it is the end result by which he should be judged.

David Beckham, as do all of us, have our pluses and minuses. An individual should be judged by their actions and not a few things that we might not like. Also, we should guess at what motivated him to play in the MLS.

It was an enjoyable ride and I'm pleased that he came. Hopefully, we have not seen the last of him or similarly minded others.

George Vecsey

12/2/2012 03:23:49 am

Alan, his motives are probably even more crass than some of the others', inasmuch as his wife has her own career goals. But he is also more of a promoter than some of the other old guys, and knew enough to put himself into the footy end of the deal. Good for him. We can't underestimate how cool it is to play in NY or California and be able to live an almost normal life, by LA standards of money and security. That's the reason Klinsmann has been in California for a long time. Beckham made it work. Good for him. GV

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12/3/2012 06:54:52 am

Professional soccer has a long way to go around these eastern parts, I think. Not sure whether it has even achieved the level of attention of the days of the Cosmos and Pele. I don't follow it but I was (finally) interested enough by this post to find out if there were any professional teams representing NYC or Boston. New to me, I discovered Kraft has a team in Gillette Stadium that isn't too good and also there is a team called the Red Bulls that's maybe a little better, but not much. Lousy name in my view. Got a can as a stocking stuffer years ago. Couldn't figure out what it was and threw it away rather than take a chance it might kill me. I had a lot harder time finding out where that team plays their games. Harrison, New Jersey!? Really? Last time I was in Harrison has got to be well over fifty years ago, when cars didn't have air conditioning or catalytic converters and my parents drove us over smoggy roads with single digit names, like 1 and 9, to a brand new, but not too spiffy, kind of store called "Two Guys from Harrison" where we bought garden hoses and garbage cans for our new home. Too far for me these days.

I am curious to look at the brand of play next year via any TV coverage -- particularly, whether American refs have eliminated the feigned fouls and injuries histrionics that can get you sick on the world stage.

For the time being I'll continue to settle for what's left of relatively real college football for fall outings (not much): Columbia at Fordham, Colgate at Yale sound pretty good -- and the food in those neighborhoods is at least a great consolation (Arthur Avenue, Wooster Street) if the games aren't competitive.

George Vecsey

12/4/2012 03:55:11 am

Brian: you are missing a treat. The Red Bull stadium is a nice compact place for watching a game -- all right, it's not Barca-Real, but the league gets better every year. Also, within walking distance of the stadium is the Ironbound section of Newark, home to dozens of Portuguese restaurants and other ethnic places. Easy to reach by train. Put it on your calendar for next season. GV

Brian Savin

12/4/2012 05:14:12 am

Convincing argument, you win. (Walking distance!) "Football" and Fornos sounds good.

George Vecsey

12/4/2012 06:17:49 am

http://www.nj.com/newark/community/index.ssf/2010/06/post_4.html

Brian: you'll have to cut, paste this for a 2010 article on Ironbound. Truthfully, I have not walked it, but it's right across the river. After one of those massive shrimp-in-green-sauce meals, it might seem longer...but it is walkable. GV

Alan Rubin link

12/5/2012 05:04:30 am

Brian

George is correct about attending a game at Red Bull Stadium. I have not yet been able to do so as it is a three and a half hour drive from Western Mass. However, several relatives who are of the same senior vintage as me attended their first professional soccer game there this season. They follow other sports, but had never seen a soccer game. They are now hooked and plan on attending more games at the stadium.

I spent two summer college vacations working in a metal heat treating plant in the Ironbound section of Newark in the late 50's. The best part of the day was lunch in the many ethnic restaurants and taverns. Before we retired to the Berkshires, my wife and I would occasionally go for a Portuguese dinner.

I teach an adult education course for OLLI called Understanding Soccer. It started as a request from several members who had watched the 2010 men’s World Cup and wanted to better understand the game. Class size increased each time, but there are several regulars.(George-you may have a following of hundreds, but I have a loyal six)

I’m encouraged about where US soccer is going for many reasons. I was surprised by the number of seniors who have embraced the game beyond just watching their grandchildren play. Many of my soccer newbie friends have also become avid fans of professional soccer.

I played soccer in the 40’s and 50’s. Almost all of my teammates did not begin playing until junior or senior high school. Today, most high school players started in youth leagues as early as five years old.

Soccer was not the primary sport of my college coach. Today, Lehigh has a full time coaching staff as do most college programs. They are also involved in local youth programs as do most professional teams.

I do not know your level of soccer savvy, but you might be interested in viewing Understanding Soccer, an educational soccer web site that I developed while teaching my course. Click on my name above for the link.

I am confident that the US will eventually win the World Cup, or at least be a regular in the final four. There is a Jewish expression of good wishes, “may you live to be 120!” I may need every bit of it to realize my dream.

George Vecsey

12/5/2012 05:51:53 am

Alan, the Italian toast is Cent'Anni -- a hundred years. I just ticked off on my fingers that it would be seven more World Cups. At the rate our lads are developing, or not developing, I'm thinking cent'anni might not be enough
GV

Alan Rubin link

12/5/2012 07:21:51 am

George

If more time is needed is needed to win the cup, it could coincide with the coming of the Messiah. Considering the current politics of the Middle East, and the requirements for him (an Orthodox view would not allow a woman) to arrive, it might be best to combine the Italian and Jewish traditions and hope it occurs within 220 years.

“An idea connected to the notion of the coming of the Messiah is the rebuilding of the Temple of Soloman, which was destroyed by the Romans around 70AD. This is a long held desire of many Jewish people around the World and for some this is where the Messiah will preside once he emerges and announces himself, or perhaps herself who knows. This process of rebuilding the temple is complicated by the fact that it would involve the destruction of the third holiest site in Islam, the Dome on the Rock and unless handled diplomatically, would certainly precipitate much bad feeling and unrest. In a slightly provocative act, a Right Wing Fundamentalist Jewish group laid a foundation stone in 1998 as the first act in the process of rebuilding the temple. Also in a Yeshiva, or Jewish Religious School, overlooking the Western Wall, which are the only remains of the last temple, ancients texts are studied with the aim of recreating the ancient rituals of the temple, including animal sacrifice. Also young boys have already been selected to act as the High Priests of the rebuilt temple, presumably with the role of enacting the ancient rituals and serving the Messiah when he comes.”

Brian Savin

12/5/2012 02:01:26 pm

Thanks, Alan. I don't know if that particular "Jewish expression" is a blessing or a curse! I remember Will Durant was interviewed at age 95 and asked whether he thought he would live to be 100. His reply was, "I hope not. Do you know what it's like being trapped inside a 95 year old body?"

I know the sport, and have enjoyed playing it (far more than watching it, at least to date, actually). My college didn't have a varsity team, so a bunch of us started a club team when I was a freshman. Our best player was a senior who was the son of the Nigerian ambassador to the UN. We had a Somalian and a Scandinavian (Swedish, I think). Not too many American kids. It was exhausting. I never felt more exhausted in my life until my forties, when my neighbors started a Sunday afternoon game. The ring leader was an American who wrestled and played lacrosse at Amherst. A bunch of Dutchmen, a Norwegian, a Limey who worked for the Financial Times (a senior editor now), a Frog banker, and a few also-rans like me. Even bought a pair of soccer shoes to keep up. Lasted one season. The wives rescued us -- surprising us by forming an indoor tennis group for our Sunday evenings as a Christmas present that year after becoming worried about our survival. That group lasted fifteen years. Our Messiah. Maybe I'll try to round up a few to pilgrimage to the Red Bulls, and eat, next year. I'll keep you posted!

George Vecsey

12/6/2012 12:13:45 am

Plus, according to the NYT today, the MLS has its eye on Queens for 2016. (at a loss of parkland,it sounds to me)
You could wait for 2016 and walk in from Mama's deli in Corona....or the Chinese restaurants in Flushing. But Ironbound would be a good start for your pals in 2013. GV

Alan Rubin link

12/6/2012 06:40:53 am

Brian

Although many of us in this thread come from different backgrounds, there is much that we have in common.

Playing with foreign born players defiantly added a positive dimension to one’s game and enjoyment.

My mother insisted that I go to a Cheshire Academy in CT for my senior year in high school. I had waited two years to be first string goalie and I refused to go. We made a deal. I was to try summer school and decided if I like the school or not.

As it happened, Cheshire Academy was popular with Venezuelan diplomats who sent their sons there for a year of post graduate studies in preparation for American colleges. We played soccer every day.

Although unhappy about not finishing my up at Teaneck HS, I remained at Cheshire. I’m not sure whether I actually had a choice. Socially, it was a disaster (all male school), but I entered Lehigh with soccer skills well above what I would normally have had. It was also a cultural education. The only Americans on the team were two fullbacks and me. The rest were Venezuelan, one Cuban and one Indonesian. Luckily, the fullbacks spoke English.

The other teams were at a disadvantage in that all plays were called in Spanish. So was our back defense.

It is nice to recall old memories.

Alan Rubin link

12/6/2012 06:12:12 am

George

We should all meet at a game in 2013.

George Vecsey

12/6/2012 08:53:04 am

That is a thought -- when it warms up next spring.
I totally agree with you. Jamaica High had United Nations housing nearby -- we had 8 or 10 different nationalities on our team, meaning different styles, plus, no discernible coaching. I am writing about this as part of a soccer book. GV

Brian Savin

12/9/2012 12:13:28 pm

I'm in, so long as wives are included (mine's a nurse, and I might well need her).

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12/12/2012 02:42:55 pm

Certainly you enjoy the game so i suggest that you will appreciate the atmosphere and product and facility the Red Bulls stadium offers, despite incompetent ownership that keeps hiring non-American management who have no clue about the market, MSL and US.

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