SPORTS NOTES - AMERICA BECKHAM'ED OUT

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

The once Golden Boy of American soccer is now being depicted as an outcast in the land of the free who have a reputation of spitting on its heroes.

Friday July 24, 2009

THE HEAT IS ON

Apparently American soccer fans aren't as thrilled about the Golden Boy David Beckham as in a heated display of emotion they was booed him in his first game back to the Galaxy and the MLS in a contest against the New York Red Bulls in New York.

More disrespect followed in his first game on the Galaxy's home pitch in Los Angeles where fans took it one step beyond as they hurled abusive remarks at him drawing Beckham's anger and then they proceeded to physically challenge him by jumping out of the stands. The fans actions exemplified what it takes to be an Ugly American. As Rodney King said after being brutally being beaten by members of the Los Angeles police department, "Why can't we all just get along?"

Love is fleeting as they say and the lack of love for David Beckham in the land of the free could be the start of something big such as a permanent departure from America until he retires from the game as a player. The incidents raises the question does an athlete need to be disrespected and physically challenged by fans?

This saga started from an American journalist digging for dirt and he found it when Beckham's Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan commented to the dirt digger that Beckham was not a good teammate, selfish and criticized him as being unprofessional for allegedly quitting on the Galaxy in the latter stages of last season.

After the remark blew up into the biggest bomb since Hiroshima Donovan gathered his thoughts regarding his childish behavior and admitted that he could have been more of a man about it and expressed his feelings directly to Beckham as opposed to talking first to the press. His second thoughts were too little too late as the damage was done.

Though the teammates say the matter is done and dusted the tension is obvious and the distraction to the team is an issue. Beckham says they're moving on but in reality what does that mean, move on to where?

The controversy stems from Beckham's playing half the season with the Galaxy and the other half with AC Milan in an effort to boost his chances of being a member of the English national team in the World Cup should they qualify for the tournament.

Former Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas made the commented on CNN sports news regarding Beckham's efforts, "His pursuit is an individual pursuit. Unfortunately the two don't mesh."

Beckham has done for the MLS and Galaxy just what he was signed to do that being raise the image of the league and sell MLS merchandise. His presence is more than paying for his reported US$50 million incentive based contract.

America has a reputation of booing its sports heroes. From our knowledge it goes back to the fifties when Philadelphia fans would boo and spit on the then Philadelphia A's star Gus Zernial and the then Phillies star Del Ennis. The Beckham scenario is nothing new just updated negative American behavior.

Donovan has appeared on TV and stated that he has healed the wounds and settled matters with Beckham but the body language between the two defies that.

The next step is a solution and a fix. Beckham has stated that he would like to continue to split his time with the Galaxy and play in Europe. A.C. Milan has stated that they would like him to return. The question is, is that enough?

In the world of WHAT IF wouldn't it be interesting if Beckham was another star to sign with Manchester City who is now striker rich with Robinho, Tevez and Adebayor. Wouldn't it be interesting to see the man with the golden foot cross balls to Cities talented strikers? Wouldn't it be interesting to see Beckham return to Manchester singing 'I'm A Manchester Boy' and be on the opposite side of cross town rival Manchester United? Wouldn't it be interesting to see Beckham have the last word with Man U boss Sir Alex Ferguson and return the favor by giving Fergie THE BOOT?

NATIONAL RADIO PUBLISHED IN 5 LANGUAGES

National Radio text is published in five languages, English, Thai, French, Russian and Khmer (Cambodian language). Any of our foreign language material and our Roman Wanderaugh columns is legally available ONLY on our National Radio site. Our sports, entertainment and feature programming has been broadcast on over 1000 radio stations.