In an article in the Daily Mail, a UK based paper, Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United Manager, claimed that Beckham will have no chance at making soccer a popular sport in the US.  Ferguson said it was because of the United States’ sheer size and export of young american talent to Europe that Beckham could not give soccer the desired popularity.   He also feels “Beckham will struggle to have the required impact on the field, the 31-year-old’s celebrity persona had overtaken his status as a sportsman following his marriage to Spice Girl Victoria.

Only time will tell…Pele, Cruyff, and Beckenbauer attempted to change American soccer in the 70’s and they couldn’t.  Soccer has changed since then (soccer stadiums, more respect etc.).  It is the most popular youth sport right now.  I think with the MLS’s solid business structure, broader interest from Beckham, and better overall American talent, the sport will keep on growing in popularity.

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