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Soccer: Galaxy Learns Their Lesson. Maybe...
As expected, the drama behind David Beckham's status with the L.A. Galaxy was brought to resolution Sunday afternoon when the Galaxy confirmed the extension of Beckham's stay in Italy.
The messy nature of this deal should yield valuable lessons to both Galaxy and MLS management.
Perhaps the most important lesson to be learned is that no player should be allowed so much free reign. Beckham's approach to this entire situation was a reflection of his lack of respect towards MLS and the Galaxy, nurtured in part by the Galaxy and MLS' unwillingness to take any stand that might upset him.
Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena was caught off guard upon initial reports of Beckham's desire to go to Milan first surfaced back in November. The fact a player could have a nearly complete loan deal brokered without any evidence indicating that Galaxy management was aware it was being brokered is a problem, no matter how one slices it. This sets a bad precendent with other players in the league and any other big name that might be willing to make a move to MLS in the future. As an aside, it also makes MLS/Galaxy management look foolish and amateurish.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber further damaged the image of the league by issuing an ultimatum to A.C. Milan in respect to Beckham's possible transfer. Garber issued a deadline to the Italian club by which they needed to reach a deal and asserted there would be no deal beyond said deadline. Milan promptly ignored the comments and they still go their man. Garber would have been better served by merely allowing the matter to play out on its own, rather than going out of his way to put himself in a spot where he now looks like someone whose words don't necessarily reflect reality. The next club that is interested in purchasing the contract of some other MLS star is likely to remember that. His comments were a disservice to the bargaining capability of the league.
Despite the various negative effects of the Beckham experiment, it appears as though a valuable lesson was indeed learned by Galaxy management: the marketing team has backed off on flooding its audience with Beckham's likeness. For the extent of Beckham's stay with the club, the Galaxy marketing team had aggressively used his likeness on anything and everything related to the team. Using his name and likeness was certainly a prudent move on their part upon his arrival, however, the Galaxy leaned too heavily on it and they failed to recognize or take action on the negative effects it was having, until now. While the marketing efforts certainly helped draw more folks to the Home Depot Center, they also created a certain amount of ill will amongst the fan base, firstly by playing too much to the crowd that was only interested in seeing Beckham, rather than the team as a whole, thus alienating a a large portion of the fanbase. Worse, the activities continued during a time when Beckham was injured.
A number of fans were soured on the MLS/Galaxy experience, feeling they had been lied to because Beckham was unable to play. In other cases, fans began to question why so much revolved around Beckham. In the end, the appeal of Beckham's name and likeness served as a dual edged sword, attracting some of the non-traditional soccer crowd to games, yet at the same time leaving some of them and other traditional fans a bit empty about the entire experience.
But, as stated, it appears the Galaxy have learned their lesson. Perhaps they could save themselves some future troubles by listening a bit more often to Galaxy legend and assistant coach Cobi Jones, who, when asked about the Beckham deal stated, "the Galaxy was here before him and we'll be here after."
It is time for the rest of the organization to follow his lead.
Other quick notes:
* Chivas USA tied Houston Dynamo 2 - 2 Friday night at the Home Depot Center in the red-and-white's final preseason game.
* Galaxy tied Chicago Fire 1 - 1 in their preseason finale last night in Arizona.
* Chivas USA signed Mexican forward Eduardo Lillingston who last played for UAG (Tecos) in the Mexican First Division.
* Galaxy traded 'keeper Josh Wicks to D.C. United in exchange for a 2010 draft pick.
* Chivas USA will hold its first Practice in the Community session today from 10 am - 1 pm at Santa Ana Bowl (602 N. Flower St., Santa Ana, CA 92703)
* Josh Saunders, Kyle Patterson, A.J. DeLaGarza and Yohance Marshall have all signed on for the season with the Galaxy.