News and picture of Landon Donovan is right but the MLS needs David Beckham

Landon Donovan is right but the MLS needs David Beckham

BY Frank Isola
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Saturday, July 4th 2009, 3:16 PM

Landon Donovan's brilliant left-footed shot against Brazil in last week's Confederations Cup Final ranks as one of the best start-to-finish goals in United States soccer history. The moment also cemented Donovan's status as the top U.S. player and its unquestioned leader.

And yet that strike pales in comparison to the shot Donovan took at David Beckham, the anointed savior of Major League Soccer, global icon and, as it turns out, a primadonna who would make Barry Bonds blush.

David Beckham
Donovan reveals a different side to his famous Los Angeles Galaxy teammate in The Beckham Experiment authored by Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl. We learn that not only is Beckham something of a cheapskate and seemingly out of touch with reality but one of the world's most famous athletes comes off as a bad teammate who doesn't take his part-time gig in America very seriously. Basically, he comes across as shallow as his wife — Posh Spice — is skinny.

"When David first came, I believed he was committed to what he was doing," the book quotes Donovan as saying. "He cared. He wanted to do well. He wanted the team and the league to do well. Somewhere along the way….he just flipped a switch and said, 'Uh-uh, I'm not doing it anymore."

David Beckham
Donovan suggests that if Beckham, who is scheduled to make his 2009 MLS debut in 11 days against the Red Bulls at Giants Stadium, deserves to be benched if his attitude doesn't improve.

From what I've seen and heard from Donovan in the past he seems like a straight shooter. Not to mention that his performance on the field the last two months has been nothing short of inspiring. And I'm sure everything he says about Beckham is dead-on.

But Donovan is also wrong. The MLS stills needs Beckham more than he needs it. If you don't believe in Beckham's impact just watch what will happen to attendance around the league once the man with the golden right foot begins playing.

Beck's one-time only appearance in the Metropolitan area on July 16th will be the last time the Red Bulls matter again until the club finally opens its beautiful stadium in Harrison, N.J. next season.

David Beckham
In our sporting culture we embrace stars whether it's Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriquez or Tom Brady. No one in the MLS, and that includes Donovan, is bigger than Beckham. The sooner Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney arrive on our shores the better.

Donovan's heart is in the right place; he wants to hold Beckham accountable and give his team every chance to win. But he's fighting a losing battle. Beckham came here two years ago for the money, to have dinner parties with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes and to sit courtside at Lakers game. And on those rare occasions Beckham will play soccer as well. We get that. And so should Donovan.

Marisa's big break came at age 21 when well-known fashion photographer Mario Testino photographed her while she was surfing with friends in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

In high school, Marisa was a star volleyball player. In her junior year, thanks to her position as outside hitter, her team never lost a game during the entire season.

Measurements in 2000: 34D - 23 - 35

David Beckham

Marisa Miller Filmography

"The View" .... Herself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 22 February 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
"Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model" (2004) TV Series .... Herself / ... (unknown episodes)
... aka Manhunt (International: English title: informal short title) (USA: informal short title)
"The Sharon Osbourne Show" .... Herself (1 episode, 2004)
... aka Sharon (USA: short title)
- Episode dated 23 March 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
Sports Illustrated 40th Anniversary Swimsuit Special: American Beauty (2004) (V) .... Model
Personal quotes from Marisa Miller


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