My Galaxy Jersey Just Came in the Mail

Wow, Becks out for all of September and probably most of October. I can't remember how long the MLS season is, but I get the feeling that LA won't be making the playoffs. Does that mean Beckham won't be playing any more in 2007?

David's arrival to play in the US has increased the interest in Major League Soccer in Europe. I'll agree to that, if only from a soap opera angle. It's unfortunate that he's now injured, but for some reason I figured something like this would happen.

(Beckham Photo courtesy AFP: Robyn Beck)

On the other side of things, guys like Keller and McBride continue to impress at Fulham (though McBride is out for the next couple of months himself), DaMarcus Beasley now plays for Rangers and recently scored a goal, and more than a handful of English teams have American players that have earned starting positions. Brad Friedel is by far one of the best keepers in the league; all of the US keepers play starting positions for English teams. It's those players that tend to earn more European respect. At least that's my perception as I have conversations with ex-Pats from around the world.

Elsewhere in Europe, it will be interesting to see what happens to Freddy Adu. He seems destined for the subs bench for the next little while, but assuming he gets an opportunity, he might just impress a few people, too.

Week after week, these players tend to keep a low profile, and quietly go about the task of gaining more experience. I'm just surprised that more players aren't following their lead. True, Fulham FC probably has more American players than any other Premiership club, but I'm certainly not saying that's the reason that they're currently in 2nd to last place. In fact, I'm saying quite the opposite. I think they're getting some excellent experience playing against some really really good players from around the world.

I seem to recall former US National Team Coach Steve Sampson saying something back in '94 or '98 like, "The US will win the world cup in about 12 years," and I'm not seeing that materialize. I'll excuse the loss to Sweden and consider that a bad day out at a friendly, but more US players need to get out and get some experience playing outside of the US. The MLS cannot afford to bring in another Becks to try to raise the level of play. They'll go bankrupt. Besides, one Becks cannot completely change the make up of a team. LA still look like they're going to hold up the Western Conference.

At least I got my jersey before it becomes a collectors' item.

Open Cup

It's kind of amazing how little attention is being paid to the open cup. If a pro-baseball team was beaten in a game by a farm team, it would be all over ESPN. Yet in this tournament where a few MLS teams have been beaten by USL teams, you don't hear a thing.

Seattle is playing F.C. Dallas next Tuesday. Really, F.C. Dallas has nothing to gain from the game. They're expected to win and if they do, they'll play a top-tier MLS team, the New England Revolution.

That they're even having this tournament is awesome. Most MLS players are paid next to nothing (except for the famous Galaxy mid-fielder). USL players must be paid even less. They play for the love of the beautiful game which makes it even more exciting.

What I really don't understand is that they'll probably be more people at 5A high school football games in Dallas than they'll be at the game.

Just doesn't' seem right....

Cue: "Sweet Georgia Brown" for Denilson Juggle

Cue up the Harlem Globetrotters' famous theme song, "Sweet Georgia Brown" while you watch this one. (Actually, click here for an MP3 from the US Patent & Trademark Office). These little player signing photo opps normally have an awkward air to them, but Denilson, to his credit, shows good humor & knows the drill. Hope he plays on Saturday night in Frisco against MLS all-time leading scorer, Jaime Moreno (sorry Jason Kreis) and DC United. Tobias Xavier Lopez has good coverage of the presentation here.

Denilson brings charisma and experience to Dallas

By TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

FRISCO -- Brazilian playmaker Denilson achieved international soccer fame for his vibrant smile, his eye-popping step-over move (called "The Denilson"), his Nike commercials and his role in helping Brazil win the 2002 World Cup.

Denilson's charisma and fun-loving attitude came through clearly Monday in his initial news conference as FC Dallas' first designated player.

Denilson jokingly referred to David Beckham as "the blond one" and brushed off concerns about the Texas heat by saying "I might get a little darker."

However, the 30-year-old attacking midfielder/forward spoke candidly about his one-year stints with previous clubs, France's Bordeaux (2005-06) and Saudi Arabia's Al-Nasr (2006-07). He said the "financial package and cultural experience" prompted his move to Saudi Arabia.

"As soccer players, we have the opportunities to be able to learn more about our world," he said. "After nine months, I was able to share these experiences and a new culture with my friends and family back home. It was a difficult situation for me because it was difficult to adapt in some levels, but I would do it again because of the experience."

In the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, Denilson played a prominent role in Nike's worldwide commercial campaigns. When he was sold to Spain's Real Betis in 1998 for about $36 million, it was a record transfer fee.

"With respect to the transfer, I was [20] and it was a lot of money and a lot of responsibility, and the first two years I was there were not so good for me," he said. "But, after that, I was able to adapt and have success. Now, where I'm at, I can accept the responsibilities that are coming to me through my experience."

Denilson worked with teammates Monday but won't officially join the club until his visa is approved, probably in five to 10 business days. Once Denilson is eligible, Dallas will have to clear one of the senior international spots held by forward Carlos Ruiz, midfielders Marcelo Saragosa and Pablo Ricchetti, and defender Adrian Serioux.

Major League Soccer's designated player rule allows clubs to sign players outside the salary cap.

Beckham Ruminations

A couple of feisty columns from the cybersphere on the state of "Beckham Over America 2007".

Steve Davis over at ESPN.com criticizes the LA Galaxy for playing Beckham the day after the England/Germany friendly and other crimes. And he goes on to suggest that the Galaxy front office & coaching staff should lose their positions from the mishandling of the injured Becks. Rumors from Home Depot Center are that Frank Yallop will be replaced by former German national coach, Jurgen Klinsman. If Coach Yallop should have done anything, he should have forbidden David Beckham to play in that friendly against Germany.

Then the Times of London has a column by Martin Samuel sniveling about the lack of interest British viewers have for American Soccer. He has the same complaints that Steve Davis has about exploiting the good sport David Beckham.

It's hard to argue with either of these columnists in terms of playing an injured player...particularly a talent like Beckham. But they're forgetting an obvious factor: Dollars & Pounds. That's what this is all about. If Becks is supposed to be making $25 million this year, shouldn't he play? If he's injured, I suppose he could just give back the money, right?

I'm delighted that Becks helped Real Madrid to the Liga championship. I'm psyched for American spectators that Becks is playing once again on the England squad. This is all positive in terms of proving his flight level in international play at 32 years old. He's good enough to start at any club in the world. But playing in those matches at the end of spring were what aggravated his ankle injury - MLS got an injured spokesman for the league. What's the Galaxy supposed to do? Just bench him for the whole summer? Then he misses an entire season of the 5 he's supposed to play here. What's Becks supposed to do? Sit out the whole season?

That there was a huge expectation from Beckham this year should make AEG, LA Galaxy & the MLS very content. This is what it feels like to shoulder an entire league. Ask Pele what it was like. This is the challenge that Becks wanted.

The bigger picture that both of these columnists are missing out on is the greater interest in the sport at a national level here stateside and the development of its international players here in the MLS and abroad. Then there's the terrific performance of our U-17 & U-20 squads in World Cup play this summer. And did Mr Samuel note the new foreign ownership of Liverpool & Man U? Americans. There's a Ruskie in the mix somewhere there too...over at Chelsea.

Stiff upper lip, chaps. Get ready for the Yanks. They're in Fulham now, yes. But they're going to be all over the world soccer scene soon enough. Anyone notice the lightning fast Maykel Galindo of Chivas USA against the Galaxy last week? The Cuban exile won't be playing for England in South Africa. He'll be playing for his new country. And Jozy Altidore? And Freddy Adu? Might as well start to accept it, lads. The future's ours.

Tune in to the SuperLiga Final tomorrow night: Pachuca vs. Galaxy on TeleFutura.. It's probably the Galaxy's last chance to redeem themselves this season. And yes, Becks will play.

Frick'n Sweeds

I can't believe that the US Men's National team lost to Sweden. After playing so well in the Gold Cup, especially against Mexico, they can't get it back together.

Where is the aggressive play that characterized this team early on?

Where was Donovan?

Where was Clint Dempsey?

Where were the mid-fielders who were supposed to support them.

They could have beat this team.

After four straight losses this team needs to find themselves or Brazil will really take it to them. Bradley needs to make some changes.

They're calling the US vs. Brazil match the "Clash of Champions". The way they've been playing it will be more like "Flash of Champion" as the Brazilians score one goal after another.

Futbol Meets Football

“Sometimes I think you love Arsenal more than your family.” Nonsense, I told her, I love you both the same.

Very clever musings about a life spent as an Arsenal fan. I had no idea that the Queen of England has a favorite football team - seems positively unconstitutional for a figurehead to take sides like that. And Fidel Castro follows soccer? I thought he was exclusively a baseball & boxing guy. Who knew?