Planet Soccer

On the contrary, an image conscious player like Beckham would see ample opportunity in the MLS to use his image to perhaps move into a career in Hollywood, or broadcasting or to simply enjoy his cult of personality.

I would think that a limited player with an image that overshadows his play on the field would be a perfect fit in the most idol worshipping society on earth...the USA.

What's his alternative, 2-3 more years of declining play in Europe and all the acrimony that goes with it.

Hmmm...let's see, Beckham is out of contract at the end of the year. He has a soccer academy in Los Angeles. His English National team days are over. But a deal to the MLS isn't going to happen? This article makes no sense.

Beckham to the MLS is a done deal.

How exactly is Beckham going to prove his worth in La Liga when he's a benchwarmer who will be out of a contract soon and his best years are behind him?

What major team is going to want him?

At best he will be offered opportunities on second rate teams in second rate leagues in Europe.

MLS is his only chance to continue to shine for a few more years.

It is only a matter of time before Beckham comes to the US. It might not be next year but he will play in MLS before all is said and done. The guy made $36 million in off the field endorsements this past season. Imagine what he'll make if he plays in LA or NY.

Beckham is on record as saying he wants to play in the States. MLS is bending the rules to make that possible. I don't see how it won't happen sometime in the near future.

I agree with all the other comments -- this article uses spurious logic trying to make a point, and obviously utterly fails.

MLS is the perfect place for Beckham to finish his career. MLS is the only league where he might still have a competitive advantage and people will still care about his name; he's already opened a campus of his Academy in L.A., so that would give him something to do in the offseason and once he retires; plus, L.A. offers everything his celebrity obsessed family needs to be happy.

Obviously, I (along with everyone else) is assuming he ends up with the L.A. Galaxy if he does come here.

But there's also the interesting option of Toronto FC . . .

i hate david bhakam

As much as you non-footballers think Beckham is a bench warmer, he still has good solid 2 years with him. He will prove his value and himself in Real Madrid. Please don't be spiteful and critical towards players like Beckham who worked their way up to the top. Think and stop being so narrow-minded!

I see the term "soccer expert" is being bandied around very very loosely these days. Anyone expecting Beckham to be Pele is not so much living in a fool's paradise as perhaps someone who has never seen footage of these players. What is with Canada Broadcasting? Going the same way as Canada Post? C'mon letting someone's vitriolic crap pass for an column is absurd, Beckham is not a one trick pony but any expectation that he will dominate or be sole play maker is misplaced as well, he is a team player, there's 11 members to a team, really how about some balance. You really can't find better journalists? eh?

I am a big fan of international soccer (better known as football to those who actually follow the sport) and the reason that David Beckham probably won't be in the MLS anytime soon has nothing to do with image. Let's face it, in the world of International Football, the MLS isn't even on the radar. "American Soccer" isn't considered a major player in the sport, never has been, and probably never will be. To come to the MLS after playing for heavyweights Manchester United and Real Madrid would be like taking 5 steps back in his career. Becks would probably rather retire as a benchwarmer for one of Football's greatest teams as opposed to a starter for a mediocre 'soccer' team. Who could blame him?

Don't hate Beckham cause he's beautiful!!!

This article isn't really based on any real knowledge of the situation. The only reason that would keep David Beckham out of the MLS is that it would put an official end to his already weak chances of regaining his spot on the English National Squad.

He has stated that he wants to finish his career in the USA and he already has an Academy in Los Angeles. Add to that the fact that his european sponsorships are one by one dropping him, the added endorsements he will pull in from a move to the US are quite significant.

He may not be coming this year, but Beckham will be in the MLS in the next 2-3 years.

Why would Beckham come to the MLS when every player in the MLS would love to be playing in Europe. That's about sums it up.

I think Beckham will be a perfect fit for the mls. The reason I say this is because Beckham is a sub-par player and the mls is a sub-par league. Also there is talk of two other old and washed up players coming to the mls to end their career`s, yes the fat man himself Ronaldo and Figo.

David Beckham will only come to the MLS if Victoria wants to move to the U.S!!!

Beckham should retire and the MLS is the perfect spot to begin his retirement.

hi guys!!
you excuse me for my horrible English..
I write from the most beautiful city of the world (venice).
here, the soccer is most important, like the hockey in Canada.
For me, in the rest of the world, Beckham is estimated too much.
He hasn't played in Italy (where true soccer is played) because he is not strong for the "Italian Serie A".
I think that Beckham must go to play in America...(not to soccer but to baseball,it is better!)
Beckham isn't a soccer player!

hi guys!!
you excuse me for my orrible English..
I write from the most beautiful city of the world (venice).
here, the soccer is most important, like the hockey in Canada.
For me, in the rest of the world, Beckham is estimated too much.
He hasn't played in Italy (were true soccer is played) because he is not strong for the "Italian Serie A".
I think that Beckham must go to play in America...(not to soccer but to baseball,it is better!)
Beckham isn't a soccer player!

Hey QB...no one "thinks" Beckham is a benchwarmer...everyone "knows" he is a benchwarmer, how many times has he started or even been subbed in for Madrid this year...one would think that since your inference that you are such a footballer, compared to us non-footballers, you would be aware of this reality.

If Beckham is worried about his image and playing in a sub-par league there is one solution. He should play in Toronto as no city is better at propping up over-rated athletes then Hog town. Just look at the past few decades of the Leafs and the glut of over-rated hockey players that have passed through that town. Beckham could confide in Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour, Darcy Tucker, Tomas Kaberle, Mike Palmateer, etc, etc... and they'd tell him how much TO over-rates mediocrity. He'd fit right in...

Becks is really not a player that can make a huge exposure as Pele did during his New York Cosmos in the 70s. To think about it, the "Becks rule" is a privilege for me.

Frankly, Beckham wasn't a bit impressive in the 2006 WC. I don't think he would make a great deal of difference in the US. Since the MLS has a ways to go before catching up with the rest, Beckham would in most ways fit in.

David Becham would be a good addition to the American League. It's useless for him to return to England as he would never get in the team for whichever club he played for. It has been rumoured he could come to my team Tottenham Hotspur but he could never hold down a first team place. Why not go to America where he could get regular football. Perhaps this shows how far behind Europe America actualy is in football! Really it's no different to the seventies.

I think the person who wrote this article is talking out of his arse. If you know the history of Beckham you would know he has never been comparible to Pele in the first place, I mean he plays a completely different position. Pele was a striker and Beckham is a midfielder. Beckham is a GOD to any retailer of football shirts and any other retailer of football meerchandise, that is the reason Real signed him - his market in the far east! That is the reason he would be loved in America, money, money, money, it's very sad really!

Beckham is one of the most recognized names in the world. Someone mentioned earlier that he is all about the marketing. The MLS needs players like Beckham, Ronaldo, Figo, Del Piero and the likes. These players have had great careers in Europe and are now coming to an end. In the MLS they will become stars again. These are the players the MLS needs to bring it to the next level. The New York Cosmos had better gate then the Yankees and the Giants. The NASL tried to expand to fast that was it's death, otherwise it was a great league with some very big names. Beckham will come to the MLS and relive his glory days. There is a big market in the USA for a guy like Beckham.

Why do people in here even talk about him. he sucks. he has never been good in his whole, career. he is just another English player who gets money for being a pretty boy. people that pay attention to him just sickens me. If you wanna talk soccer, talk about someone other than beckham, rooney or any other english soccer player (except Gerrard, may Lampard). talk about someone like Henry, Ronaldinho.

QB i couldn't agree with you more! David Beckham is still such an asset to both club and country.... you only have to look at him playing for England at this years World Cup to see. They won their first game against Paraguay because of a David Beckham free kick which went in for an own goal. He set up Peter Crouch's goal against Trinidad & Tobago and then a curling free kick from 30 yards sent England to the quarter finals thanks again to David Beckham. And you only have to look at England's performance NOW in their Euro qualifications to see how his absence is being felt. Let's also not forget his goal assists, crosses and passes for Real Madrid too, where his ratio of goals and assists has been exceptional. He is an extremely dedicated professional who still has a lot to offer for England AND Real Madrid!

Beckham in the MLS, about sodding time! I welcom that with open arms!

Beckham and Posh (his wife) are so plastic like Barbie and Ken, please pack your bags and piss off to LaLa Land good old USA.
All British plastic ends up there eventually.They love there plastic ha!.Beckham cannot play football and she cant sing.Let them grow old with all the other wrinklies where idiots like them are welcome , Talentless people who are adored for how they look .BELIEVE ME IT WILL BE THE USA THAT TAKES THEM IN NOT TORONTO!!! want to bet on it?

Looks like Beckham will join the MLS and play for L.A. Posted today on S.I.

So much for this article.

so much for your theory John Molinaro....BECK IS IN BAYBEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Bring him on!!! Bring him on!! So much for Molinaro's astute comments.

pretty sad how most brits, subdued adn depressed by class and poverty are so jealous of becks coming to the USA and setting his family up for life, for good. good on becks, a great decision, why retire in hte UK, miserable faces, depressing weather, aggro people.

this is the main reason i also came to the USA, a better lifestyle, job security and away from the class system.

becks has more brains than all you whinging poms put together!

i can't wait to cheer him on with all the rest of my fellow british patriots, baking in the roasting L.A. sun with hot gorgeous american women all around us!

Enrico let me just throw u this how can u say, that Italy is the only place real soccer is played, lets see hmmmm, theres brasil which can kick Italy's Ass if they tried. Also France would have beaten Italy in the World Cup if Materazzi didnt bad mouth Zidane. Zidane did the world a favor by head butting him in the chest, hes the dirtiest player in all of Italian Soccer.

I think Becham is a great player and can change the way America plays today because lets face it. Americas soccer teams could use some work. The womens team is doing fine but the mens nead help. Thats where Becham comes into play!

I have to disagree I think Becham could really help the US step up their teams a noch. Lets face it the US mens team needs some work and Bechams the one who can bring. Bye!! : )

I commpletely agree with AJ's comment. The US needs to realize Bechams potiental to help the US soccer teams.

"Beckham agrees five-year $250m LA Galaxy deal" Nuff said already on this article. oh no wait, "CBC Sports Online's soccer expert, John Molinaro" - expert huh?

We've got Madonna, so the US can have the Beckhams. A fair swap, similar voices and dancing fancy feet.

The mls is the most boring league in the whole world. It sucks big time!

Wow....a "so-called" soccer expert??? And a reputable source such as CBC really shouldnt me landing its name...just a terrible article...sports fans in USA need a spectacle, lots of glitter off the pitch primarily....and statistic that tells them how good the game is...Beckham is a perfect fit for MLS...watch Toronto bring M. Owens in near future