Kevin_ODonnell's Blog

The 250-million dollar question. Will Beckham-mania sweep the U.S. by storm? That's what Major League Soccer is betting on with Britain's 32-year-old Superstar. Will it make you watch? MLS is banking on it working. The game plan is to lure causal fans in by using the most recognizable "football" face in the world. But early indications are that Beckham isn't an instant hit. At his introductory news conference in L-A last week.... Beckham drew 5,000 fans.. it pales in comparison to the 30,000 that showed up for Thierry Henry's introduction with Barcelona. It shows you how wide the discrepancy is between the world's audience and the America's audience.

At a University of Tampa's youth soccer camp this week. I spoke with a dozen kids ranging from 6 to 12 and not one picked David Beckham as their favorite player... Oh, they know who he is and said they'd probably watch, but it's a scary sign for the M.L.S. How can a core group of soccer fans, who play the sport not be instantly drawn to the most identifiable face in soccer. Not even one.

Beckham alone won't save soccer in the U.S especially when fans see that he's not a scoring machine. His value on the field is that of a set-up artist, which won't play well with America's thirst for points.