Bexx

The most important thing being that the fire finally clinched a playoff spot. yes, yes, Bexx was there, and I was fully into enjoyinng the spectacle- but the guts were into thinking that this may be the final Fire game of the year.

But it will not be= John Thorrington's goal (the Fire's ex Manchester United player- a little less famous that his former 'teamate' on L.A.) in the 90+m ensures that the season goes on=D.C. United will be in town for the first round playoff game this Thursday nite.

As the final weekend of the season played out, this game determined the final spot in the playoffs= the Fire needed only to tie, but L.A. had to win it. The importance of this game led to a lot of conspiracy theorists coming out claiming that the league office and referee's would be favouring Beckhams team over the Fire, and the crowd was onto this possible facet of the game early. Three plays in the penalty areas drew loud boos from the crowd when they suspected that L.A. players were diving. Another loud round of boos from a non call on a fire player. Although the Fire didn't deserve a penalty call from this play, it was nice that the crowd was being proactive in telling the referee "WE ARE WATCHING YOU".

No question that the Fire were the better team. Except for some scary minutes in the mid 70's, they generally had the run of play. There was a lot of nice passing and attacking flare. The additions of Blanco, Paluo Wanchope, and William Conde have made a world of difference in the offense. This was particularly apparent with Williams Conde's increased role in the offense. I am not sure why- I think that enough players are finally healthy- but coach Osario switched his defense once again. Instead of having Chris Armas play a stopper role, ((stopper is a defensive role rite where a defensive minded player plays directly in front of the his defenders. He is supposed to hassles/pressure the ball when its brought forward.)), Osario paired Armas and Conde in a dual back midfielders role. Conde was brilliant in the attack- he has gained more and more experience w/ the team and his addition is beginning to make as big a difference as Blancos. He reminds me of the old Fire star Lubos Kubic- a big solid defender who took the ball forward often. It will be great to see his role this Thursday.

Who wasn't on wa Chad Barret. Too many missed passes, dribbling into the feet of the other team, etc.... He had a bad game. Ominously for him, his replacement Thorrington scored the game winner. I have not been in practice with the team and do not know of the intricicies of osarios team, but Thorrington should maybe get an extended look up forward. Anything but Barrets muffs.

Anf his muffs were important. The game was tied @ zero past the 90m when the Fire finally scored- but one cheap L.A. goal could have sunk the Fires season. Oftentimes it doesn't amatter who the better team was when one measly cheal goal is scored.

And L.A. had many such cheap chances. In the 30's, there were two dangerous plays- a corner kick, and then a nice cross from the left that showed two Galaxy players oipen for an instant. Then the Galaxy had some chance in the mid 70's. They repeatedly played the ball up the rite flank. Each time the crowd had to hold its breath as long as the game remained tied.

And then there was Bexx. This being Chicago, home of Section 8, Bexx was booed when he started to warm up on the sidelines during the first half. However, this being Bexx, he was also ceered. No secret plenty in the sold out crowd were there for the appearance of the Spice Boy (but the truth was that most were there to see the Fire clinch a spot in the playoffs). But it was great to see him finally playing the Fire. This being a Fire crowd, Bexx, he got huge cheers when he came into the game in the 58m (his teammate Landon Donovan gets the same thing- he is merciless taunted by Section 8 during MLS matches, but he is worshipped during USA games in Chicago. Duality of man, I guess). He was also taunted by a shitty shot he took near the end of the game. Stated before, he didn't have much affect on game, although he looked sharp on hois passes. The Galaxy did start to attack up the rite and Bexx was a part of it; but it wouldn't be correct to say he a massive stamp on the play. It was only his second game back after his latest round of injuries.

bex : start, assist, goal

In his third game for the L.A. Galaxy, this game billed as his First Start in America, David Beckham played 60m of generally non descript soccer against D.C. United in SuperLiga play- except for the goal on a free kick from 25 yards out. It was good to see him play real minutes in a game- he has played only 15 or so minutes in two previous games. That lack of playing time really showed against D.C. Although his passes were generally on target, they never seemed dangerous from my vantage point on the T.V. He looked strained attempting to connect with his teamates. However, this is completely due to his layoff.

There was the one act of brilliance. When Bex is lining up for a free kick, one should watch- it may go awary, but it could be a curling good-guy curling away from a flat footed goalie. Nice goal. He had a later assist on a Landon Donavan semi breakaway. However, bex's pass forward to donovan was mispalyed by a defender whom played the ball and not the man. But he did hustle and was one the ground many times in collisions with D.C. players. Good start.

It was an important win for L.A. as well. American soccer teams, like most soccer teams around the world, are in several concurrent competitions. L.A., for example, are currently in the MLS and hope to qualify for the MLS playoffs. However, they need to finish in the top eight and are nowhere close as I write. They have already been eliminated in the U.S. Open Cup*, a competition that is open to all soccer teams in America. This cup competition is a fixture in countries across the world, but American readers may well liked it to the NCAA basketball tournement for soccer: giants and minnows, strange matchups, upsets, etc... L.A. did not qualify for the Champions League, a competition they once won in which the champions of various leagues in the area play each other ina knock out competition. So- badly in the league, out of the cup, and not involved in the Champions league- but they STILL have a chnace @ glory- the SuperLiga.

The SuperLiga is the product of Mexican Soccer going again to that holy cash cow of wealth, the U.S.A., to stage games featuring Mexican teams. The SuperLiga features four top Mexican and four top MLS teams. Last nite L.A. played D.C. in the semifinals and won 2-0, so although L.A. is having a pretty miserable season in the league, they may still look to Bex'x first season as a trohpy winner season.

As big a deal is being made about Beckham in other cities- 35- 50k crowds in New England, New York and D.C. for his showing, the stands last nite in L.A. were pretty empty. MLS camera men have been instructed to mininmize the showing of empty seats in the football stadiums the league has been playing in for years, but the pregame show showed lots of nothing. The stadium seemed somewhat filled in later shots, but there was no overflow. And Mexican television is still making a big deal- the SuperLiga commercials hyping the game kept stating in Spanish that "Beckham is slated to play a whole half". Funny, but I guess they payed lots for the rites so, may as well sell it.
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*=and the Chicago Fire beat the Galaxy last year for the 2006 cup.

Becks to America

I realised the nite before what to expect:
Front page headlines in the New York Times touting American soccers latest saviour: David Beckham. It was rumoured that Becks would make the transatlantic leap from one of the centers of the soccer world to the soccers great unwashed, America.

It makes sense for both American soccer and Beckham. For America's soccer league, Major League Soccer, it brings soccers main star to its league. There are better players. There are more spectacular players. But none are more (or even close) of a draw than Beckham. He is one of the few sports players in the world who makes the papers regardless of whether he is playing his sport or not. He is even a regul;ar in the American papers, fron and back. His fame puts Michael Jordan's on the joke level. His tour of America with his then team Real Madrid drew NFL/World Cup type crowds to the cities he played in. The MLS games to come will have larger crowds, larger tv ratings, and a buzz that will be felt world wide. L.A. Galaxy jersey sales will now be seen from Iraq to South Africa to England. And a look @ Becks contract shows that he is owed 'only' $10 million/year in salary from his new team, the L.A. Galaxy : the rest of the $40 m a year comes from jersey sales, sponsorship deals, and profit sharing. for the league, his addition is fantastic.

Becks has played @ the highest level for many years. He has won Bulls/Yankees/Celtics/Canadiens numbers of championships in his tenures @ two of soccers great teams, Manchester United and Real Madrid. He has scored in the last three World Cups, being England captain in the last two. Although some have said that he is a player in decline, his 31 years fall in the middle of the commonly accepted 28-32 range of an athlete @ his best. Beckham running with the ball on the flank will cause all in the know to stop to watch where he places his crosses. Soccer is not a game like baseball that glorifies its statistics, so there is no reason for him to stick around in Europe to pad his stats.He's done everything he could there. This is, in every sense, a way to further his name and fame.

Becks belongs in Hollywood. His wife, Posh Spice, was reportedly less than happy to live in less than cosmopolitin Manchester and Madrid. The move will put her amongst the openings, red carpets, and celebrity sightings that she belongs. They instantly become one of the biggest celebrity couples in L.A. get ready for endless National Enquirer, Star, and People cover stories of these two.

Soccer itself is in the best shape its ever been in America. For awile its been the biggest youth sport. But it is now showing itself to the rest of America and indeed the whole world. MLS has produced many players who start or have started in Europe, including giants like Manchester United. The success of the national teams, both mens and womens, have put soccer on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the talk of newscasts come tournament time( Think Zidane and Brandy Chaistain and, well, David Beckham).

Although MLS is a league that is generally under the American sports radar, it is suprisingly solid for a soccer league (or even a sports league) in America. They have owners that have giant pockets which the other leagues in America (exception : NFL, which seems to be above the rickedyness that inflicts the other three sports ownership groups) would love to have. The Fire and Galaxy are both owner by phil Aunshultz, a billionaire. It is in good financial shape. Five of the teams have their own purpose built soccer stadums, including our own Chicago Fire, and others have stadiums in various planning stages. MLS, despite tepid ratings, have been on ABC and the ESPN's for its entire existence. Overall, the league has shown steady growth in its 11 years.

Beckham brings attention and excitement for soccer to those outside the soccer community. Beckham will not 'make' the league or soccer itself in the States : based on where it was in 1977 -v- 2007, soccer was well on its way to that goal Becks or not. But Beckham will play an important role in the next 5-10 years on growing soccer here. He does bring real excitement. And we'll see Becks @ the Fire stadium sometime this summer. If the game is not sold out yet.