The State of American Soccer

                                                                                                                                                                  

Soccer star David Beckham is set to make his U.S. debut and with it comes the chance to uplift American soccer.  Soccer in the states has always taken a back seat to the other major sports, but Major League Soccer and the Los Angeles Galaxy are beating thats all about to change.  I for one never played or followed much soccer, and that may be due to the fact that there has never been a marquee name in America to associate with it. So is this the time soccer makes its mark and can the 32 year old Beckham do it alone?   Beckham’s contract is reportedly a five year deal worth $32.5 million dollars and has the opportunity to exceed $200 million with the addition of his percentage of ticket admission and jersey sales.  So I asked the question is it about improving the level of U.S. soccer or the money.   Beckham recently played for Spain’s Real Madrid and was reported to have lost a step or two; as if that’s not enough he was also taken of the British National team.  This got me thinking isn’t that a lot of money to be paying an ageing soccer player?  The galaxy and MLS must be banking on the media hype and attention that comes along with being one of the worlds most sought after people. After all he is married to Victoria Beckham former Spice Girl and together they are on the new constantly and on the cover of most magazines in Europe and now the United States.