Bend it like Beckham

The Red Bulls' Jozy Altidore has a great post over at the NYT's soccer blog on the subtle, underapreciated strengths of David Beckham's as well as his limitations in promoting the MLS.

He’s not a guy who’s going to break you down on the dribble with a bunch of moves like Ronaldinho. But he’s going to hit a good cross 9 out of 10 times. And if there’s a free kick near the area you better start biting your nails because he’s going to whip it in. He’s not really a flashy player, but when it’s his turn, he steps up and does the job.

I think it’s easy for people to underestimate him as a player. I think people want to see a flashy-type player who scores flashy-type goals and makes flashy-type moves. They are always the best and are very hard to find. But I think the guys who play it simple are best.

That's absolutely true. Beckham's not as entertaining to watch as Ronaldinho or Zidane, but he's a player that can turn a game around by mastering the basic skills. I totally agree with Altidore, the fact that he doesn't show off on the pitch and shows off a little too much off it, is the reason why he's often dismissed and underestimated as a player. Well, that and the fact that he can't do shit with his left leg, which Altidore doesn't mentioned. (But he makes up for it, and then some, with the right.)

Altidore is right again on the degree to which Beckham will help expand the MLS,

I think, for sure, he will put people in the seats, for sure. We’ve already seen it in every city he goes to, it’s sold out. In terms of really elevating the game, one player can’t elevate every team. He can elevate his team, but as for all the others, they are still the same. Maybe when they play against Los Angeles the stakes are a little higher, but really it’s all the same — one player can’t change the whole league. He can help it, but there’s 12 other teams and he can only do so much. But I think it’s great to have a name like that in the league. It gives us exposure, brings more money, it benefits nearly everybody in the process.

Beckham will help the MLS tremendously, but don't for a second think he's the Christ figure of American soccer. At one point, the novelty will wear off and people will grow weary of his dominance on the league. What the MLS needs is another marquis player, who's already had a stellar career in Europe, someone like a Zidane or a Ronaldo, for a juicy rivalry which will keep seats filled long enough to establish a growing fan base.

And now, I leave you with the artist at work.