Beckham comes to Oz!!!
Wednesday, 04 July 07, 04:35 AM
It probably isn't earth-shattering news requiring three exclamation points, but that's how the media seem to be treating it. If there wasn't this pesky story about Queensland doctors getting wrapped up in international terrorist plots, I'm sure it would have been the lead story.
The gist of it is that David Beckham and his new team, L.A. Galaxy, will be in Sydney in November to play Sydney FC. Now, putting aside the fact that I can't stand the Galaxy and wish dearly that Becks had gone to any other Major League Soccer team (although that was never going to be the case), and that Sydney FC, that marketer's dream that gets every possible advantage the A-League will give them, I'm actually excited about this match for two reasons:
1) The day has finally come where an MLS team is a major draw for friendlies in countries other than the US. Granted, it all has to do with a 31-year-old who still hasn't actually played a match with the team yet, but still. The Galaxy are a club in demand.
2) Beckham appearance in this match is guaranteed. So if he gets a cold, or Landon Donovan is laying in wait to kneecap him because Becks' stole his place as the Galaxy's free-kick specialist, or Tom Cruise kidnaps Becks for some sort of Scientology shindig, the match will be re-scheduled. Maybe I'm just still jet-lagged, but I can't think of any other instance off the top of my head where a superstar's participation in an off-season friendly was ensured. Usually, it's just the opposite. Just ask all the people who showed up at the USL All-Star Game last summer expecting to see Romario.
So really, the news about the match on November 27 is noteworthy. Not because it's Becks playing in a friendly, but because of the shift in the football landscape it represents.
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MikeTuckerman said:Considering that Australia have to play two-time defending champions Japan in t...
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Jonathan
Perth, AU
An American ex-pat's thoughts on Australian, American and English soccer
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