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Tales of Becks, Brooklyn and the Big Apple. And how it’s a summer of love here in NY.

21st August 2007 By Charlie Wyett Leave a Comment

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Not since Pele waved 'Good-bye!' to the New York Cosmos back in 1977 had there been such a fuss in the Big Apple over a club football match.

The city which always boasts it's the greatest city on earth played host to the most famous footballer on earth and finally, the Americans got what they wanted. A full 90 minutes from the LA Galaxy's No23.

A crowd of 66,237 – six times the Red Bulls' average attendance – saw an impressive performance from the England international taking into account he was nowhere near fully-fit.

Many watching a proper sport for the first time on Saturday night, the supporters probably enjoyed the match nearly as much as their fast food.

Hardly surprising, considering the Red Bulls ran out 5-4 winners, with Beckham setting up three of the goals for the visitors.

We'll have to wait and see whether Beckham is able to help transform the game over here, not forgetting the best players from the 1970s, along with the 1994 World Cup, were unable to do so.

But right now, there's no doubt that the interest surrounding his arrival here has been astonishing.

Football in New York at this time of year does not get anywhere near the back eight pages of the papers with that space used for the Yankees and the Mets. Becks was front page news while the TV stations were getting themselves into a frenzy.

A master of PR, he said all the right things at his pre-match Press conference, declaring his love for New York and reminding the public that one of his sons was called Brooklyn.

Beckham once again told hundreds of journalists after the game everything they wanted to hear about 'soccer' over here and how it will be a big success. He sat on a stage surrounded by a red rope, and the last time this was used at the Giants Stadium was when the Rolling Stones hit town last year.

The following day, Becks was back page news – again unprecedented for football over here. But as the Yanks were reading the match reports over their cornflakes, Beckham was already on a flight over the Atlantic.

And here's the problem.

You can hardly blame him for wanting to continue his England career and clearly, he didn't think he'd be given a chance by Steve McClaren when agreeing to leave Real Madrid.

But after the game against Germany, Becks will have just a few hours kip before heading to Heathrow for a flight to LA.

He will arrive there, local time, at Noon on Thursday and may then have to feature in the Galaxy's match against local rivals Chivas USA – with a 7pm kick-off.

This will merely be the first time of a number of ridiculous journeys he faces and I just can't see how this will continue.

Maybe he is waiting for one last Hurrah at Euro 2008 – if we qualify – before finally retiring from the international scene.

Some believe he will leave LA next summer and clearly, the standards of the MLS is not great. The fact Juan Pablo Angel can score 12 goals in 14 games for the Red Bulls says it all.

After Angel's late winner at the Giants Stadium following some comedy defending, you could see the frustration on Beckham's face.

But I believe Beckham will stick it out. He's far more strong-minded than many give him credit for and I don't think he'd want to be seen for giving this move just a year. Like all top sportsman, he has an ego.

I know he's been criticised for taking the dollar, but I'm not too sure how motivated he is by money – even if it is the case for his missus. Many reckon he should be playing in the Premiership, but why?

If someone offered you a massive wage to live in LA for a few years, knowing you would one day return home, would you take it?

So, maybe Beckham in the USA will work. Speaking to many New Yorkers who went to the match, they were genuinely excited about the football experience and insist they will go again.

As I said earlier, not even the World Cup could change things back then, but maybe America was just not ready for the game.

You only have to look at Australia, which is only just embracing the sport at club level. Melbourne Victory now get far more coverage than the rugby league side and while the city will always be an Aussie rules stronghold, the gap is narrowing.

Equally in Sydney, more of a rugby town, football is becoming more popular than ever. So, while we are all the converted, I believe football is a disease which will spread throughout the world.

Even in the United States.
________________________________________________________________________

Bit surprised by Norwich's start to the season. Thought we'd get one point at the most from the opening two games.

Peter Grant's summer signings were impressive and there's no doubt we'll have a better season this year.

Particularly when you have a player like Jamie Cureton who can score two goals against Southampton, three days after being slagged off by his boss.

Football is full of far too many people who are scared to say anything and, clearly, Grant is not one of them. So fair play.

Equally, though, digging out your striker when he's scored a couple of goals – on his home debut – is somewhat strange.


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