Don't hold your breath waiting for Becks to come back

(*I know this thought far, FAR from original. In fact, it's been regurgitated more than a few times. But that's how I'm rolling today, with non-stop work and school keeping my hands busy from 8am-7pm. Enjoy at your own risk.)

David Beckham is not coming back to MLS.

He is not coming back because one of the most powerful clubs on the planet will do whatever it takes to keep him. And he, and his well-paid lawyers will do whatever it takes to aid those efforts.

Loan? Yeah. Right. Did any of us really believe it when the Los Angeles Galaxy loaned Beckham to AC Milan that it was a temporary arrangement? It's the equivalent of allowing an alcoholic to shack up in a brewery for a couple of months.

Beckham's recent motives have never been obscured. He's publicly stated, on numerous occasions, his desire to stay fit in order to accumulate caps for Mother England, play in the 2010 World Cup, and eventually surpass Bobby Moore's English mark of 115 caps. What better way to accomplish both than joining a high profile club like Milan?

The day that Beckham and his firm of lawyers signed the loan deal, his committment to the Galaxy, and by extension, MLS, was effectively shattered. The ring was slipped off the finger, placed in the pocket, and purposely forgotten.

For a lad that claimed to be a team player, a professional, the move to Milan seemed to counteract that image. Here was the self-serving Beckham. The Becks that bit off more than he could chew. The Becks that was desperate to back out of a mega-rich deal that would likely doom the final days of his footballing career far removed from the footballing cathedrals across the pond.

Moreso, Beckham is not coming back out pure pride. Can we picture the fiasco that would ensue if Becks, surely embarrassed by his less than complimentary comments of MLS, were to face the American media with his tail between his legs? He won't allow it. He's just too prideful for an exercise like that.

The Milan faithful have embraced him. He is loved. He loves them back. He loves his club. They love him back. He loves himself. There is too much love in Italy to return to a place where the love for soccer is similar to that shown to a mistress.

And that's what MLS was to Becks, in hindsight. His previous flames - Manchester United and Real Madrid - had stopped loving him. He was eager to find another woman who loved him, despite his faults. A woman that would give a sufficiently large ego boost. And MLS, a league in a land with plenty of riches, glamour and glitz did just that. They catered to every need. They placed him on a club right next door to Hollywood. They named ticket packages after him. He became their oyster.

But after awhile, it became empty. Becks missed the high stakes of European football. And now that a more enticing prospect - one which shot the pure adrenaline into Beckham's heart that MLS could never deliver - has arrived, he's dropped MLS for the prettier, more lavish woman.

So no, there is no way in Hell that David Beckham returns to MLS, his old mistress. He's already moved in with his latest conquest. And that chick ain't letting go of him.

Can we blame Becks?

(I know I said that I had this 18-page paper due this week, and yeah, I'm definitely not finished, but I feel compelled to get this thought off my chest. )

I suppose we asked too much for a world-class footballer like David Beckham to play in a country that calls his trade "soccer" for five whole years.

After all, no matter how much money you throw at an athlete, footballer or otherwise, whether it be the league minimum or mega millions, the the deciding factor in a player's loyalty toward his employer almost always boils down to a single concept: happiness.

And it was clear that after a year-and-a-half of MLS, Becks wasn't happy. He was chained to a horrible club that missed the playoffs during both of his years. He chased down much too heavy crosses before waning crowds on plastic pitches. To him, this wasn't the kind of football he had in mind two summers ago. Which is exactly why he embraced an offseason loan to AC Milan.

No doubt, he surely enjoyed the challenge of proseltyzing the beautiful game here in America. Here was this handsome lad, with a world-class pedigree coming to the States to grab MLS and push it into the same limelight cast onto baseball, football and basketball. It was a noble - not to mention profitable - cause, not unlike the one Pele took up thirty or so years before Becks' arrival.

For the first few months, the spotlights shined brightly. The stadiums were packed. Talk shows were abuzz with - gasp! - MLS. The nightly news had features on the league's crown jewel. It was an exciting time for American soccer fans. This was going to be grand.

But then, reality bit. Hard. Becks' wasn't always fit. His club badly underachieved. So another superstar was brought in to manage. And Ruud Gullitt was equally horrible.

Before long, the feverish crowds, like the ones seen in 2007 when New York hosted Los Angeles before a sea of 65,000 fans became nothing more than recent memories. The American media's flirtation with soccer cooled. And Becks was still stuck on a poor team in a nascent league that was far removed from the blinding lights of European football.

And just like that, Beckhamania had folded up its tent. Gone were the hordes or media types at each match. Only slight bulges of interest remained.

That's not to say that Americans didn't like Beckham. I think most people generally had an appreciation for him, whether they liked soccer or were simply smitten over him. But I think that all the hype surrounding his arrival was just that: hype.

One man alone cannot alter the way Americans watch their sports. It was foolish to think this. It was preposterous to think that within five years, MLS could alter the landscape where the Big Four of American sports could add a fifth member. It was a noble attempt, sure, but one of pure fantasy.

And on the personal level, this whole grand experiment of increasing soccer's popularity all fell on the shoulders of David Beckham. I can only imagine that after eighteen months of injuries, lengthy transcontinental flights, and the stratospheric expectations, Becks, always the competitor, missed what it felt like to play big-time football.

Today, he plays with some of world's best players. The masses in Milan adore both he and his sport. His coach and new teammates love having him around. The owner is itching to write a check for a transfer. And David Beckham is finally happy.

And quite frankly, who could blame him?

OMG! No wai!

Becks wants to stay with Milan.

Wow, didn't see that one coming...

Bend it (the truth) like Beckham

First of all, let me just state for the record that I have no personal ill will toward David Beckham. I enjoy watching him play. He is one of the classiest big-name athletes I've ever covered.

But my job here is to be as fair* as possible, and not to put kiddie gloves on any story, even the ones involving people I actually like.

(*"Fair" as in "fair", not "fair" as in "infallible.")

That said, you probably read where former Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas believes that David Beckham's stay in Milan may extend beyond the winter.

We all know Alexi's a pretty candid guy. He's never been shy to say what's on his mind, whether he's right or wrong.

In this instance, I happen to agree with Alexi on his assessment that Beckham's lead spokesperson, Simon Oliveira, is telling a fib when he says Becks will be back Stateside on March 9th, which, according to the current Gregorian calendar, is exactly 59 days from today.

Two months in Milan? I don't think so. Only Hollywood stars, I mean, actors, go to Italy for two-month excursions. So let's measure common sense vs. the infallible words of a sports agent. Because we all know that whatever agents say is always written on stone tablets.

"Whilst we respect Alexi's right to an opinion, he has not been party to any contractual discussions on the loan agreement to Milan."

It is so ORDERED.

As much I, like many of us, wish soccer, like any sport, was a simply game in which honor, goodness, and one's word should always prevail like it does fables and fairytales, I am aware of the cold reality. Soccer can be a soulless business. One where handshake deals are made, and written contracts are forgotten faster than a New Year's resolution.

Plus, prima facie, it makes little business sense to go play for one of the world's biggest clubs for only a handful of matches. I could be very wrong, but I just don't see it.

I have the distinct feeling there is, as the the Transformers theme song once told my generation, more than meets the eye.

Stay tuned.

Friday Rant

*Thank God it's Friday, and with it, the starting point for many collegiate soccer seasons. After a what's sure to be a highly-charged fantasy football draft early this afternoon, yours truly will be returning to the alma mater - Rhode Island College - to catch a glimpse of the women's RIC -St. John Fisher College 4:00pm match. I haven't seen a college soccer game in God knows how long, so it may take awhile to get used to the clock and different rules. But hey, soccer's soccer, right?

*News of David Beckham's latest injury - an MCL sprain suffered verus Pachuca during SuperLiga Final - will certainly have some fans in MLS cities grumbling, as the recovery time for this injury is estimated at six weeks. More importantly, however, the fans of LA should be mad as well. Not for Becks' injury, but because their schedule is backloaded with road games. The intent behind this scheduling debacle was due to Becks arrival of course, but with the club already apparently mailing it in for the rest of the season, you've got to feel especially for Cobi Jones. Poor Cobi, for it's been a lost season record-wise, and now it appears that his club will stumble to the finish line without the hope of a playoff appearance. It's become a sad epilogue for one of the country's greatest soccer players.

*Speaking of the Gals, rumors are wildly buzzing that Jurgen Klinsmann, former Germany manager and recent US Men's National Team managerial candidate, may take the reigns on Rodeo Drive. The former German striker resides in California with his American wife, and would seem to be an ideal candidate to make this generation's New York Cosmos a winner in 2008. Of course, should Klinsmann accept the job - under the supposition that Yallop is either fired, or resigns, naturally - does his name begin to float around yet again for the US MNT job? Hmmm....

Friday Rant

According to recent study conducted by the Royal Society scientific academy - The United Kingdom's national academy of science - a Tyrannosaurus Rex could outrun David Beckham with a top speed of 40mph. But could it outrun Barry Bonds from a guy in a lab coat?

Of course, the comparison of T-Rex to Becks became instant fodder for cheesy soccer-bashing jokes. One particularly corny bit of failed humor was repeated by 92 Pro-FM DJ Jay Buff when he stated the above comparison, then added "even if they could get a T-Rex to actually take Beckham's place, Americans still wouldn't care about soccer." I don't know what's funnier - the fact that it's impossible to train any animal to play soccer (critics of Nick Garcia may dispute this), or that in the time it took to tell the joke than the Becks out earned the comically-named DJ's entire salary.

Speaking of Becks, did you catch a glimpse of last night's Prime Time Match? Good stuff...if you're a Chivas USA fan. But if you were watching it simply for Becks (or the Gals), how tasty was it to see the Jesse Marsch-David Beckham run ins that climaxed in an on-field fiasco before the close of the first half? The final straw was when Becks was moving toward the Chivas end, and Marsch came up from behind an Bruce Lee'd Becks with a kick to the torso, giving Goldenballs a one-way trip to straigh to the pitch. Becks immediately returned to his feet and confronted Marsch face to face, as Gals and Goats assembled near midfield. In all, two red cards were issued to Alex Zotinca (Chivas) and Kevin Harmse (LA) and the half concluded seconds after the melee' dissipated.

Say what you will about the seemingly - dare I say it - posh lifestyle that Becks has been afforded, but the bloke plays the game with alot of heart. After an 11-hour flight from London after an England-Germany international, he started for the Galas and played a full 90. Think he doesn't take MLS seriously? Watch the final ten minutes of last night's match. The guy's exhausted. True, LA was out of subs, but mustered the energy to try and at least break the shutout in the waning minutes of a match that had been, for all intents and purposes, already decided. Props to Becks for showing the world that not only does he care, but the rest of us should care about soccer here in the States.

Back to the winning side: Maykel Galindo is becoming a revelation for the Goats, and capped his night with a two-goal performance that put him in double-digits on the year for goals scored. Just goes to show that you don't need to be Brazilian, A DPA special, or a highly-touted American to do well in this league. But who knew a Cuban defector would be in the top-5 for goals scored?

It was interesting to hear commentator Dave O'Brien point out that while Galindo was in Seattle playing for USL-1 ball, he befriended Seattle Mariners infielder Yuniesky Betancourt, a fellow Cuban defector, and was contacted by another fellow Cuban athlete, pitcher Orlando Hernandez of the New York Mets. It's interesting because you hear more about the plight of Cuban baseball players coming Stateside rather than the soccer players.

In Cuba, the game is baseball - it's rumored Fidel Castro once played pro baseball before coming into power - while soccer plays a backseat. In any event, it's great to see a kid like Galindo escape the oppressive Cuban regime and ply his trade here in States.

Sunday Morning Striker: Commentary on an undermanned club...oh, and the Revs beat the Wiz, 1-0!

A few hours before Sunday night’s Revs-Wizards match, SMS quietly meandered through the World Wide Web in search of – what else- knowledge. What kind of knowledge, you ask? Any kind, as long as it’s free.

Unfortunately, though the bit of knowledge SMS had just stumbled across was free, it was troubling to say the least. Frank Dell’Apa of the Boston Globe reported that the Revs would be without the services of Steve Ralston for the second game in a row, following his recuperation from flu-like symptoms. To make matters worse, Pat Noonan would also be out of action as well with a groin strain, thus leaving the Revs deprived of not only two critical players, but also a deviation from their favored formation – the 3-5-2 - as opposed to the more conservative 4-4-2.

Now particular injuries cannot be predicted – however, they are as much a part of sports as post-game groupies, so they (injuries, not groupies) must be planned for. Injuries are never well timed – whether it be at the beginning, middle, or tail end of a season - yet they almost always seem to strike at the worst possible moments. That’s why it’s essential for a club to carry capable reinforcements.

Rookies Wells Thompson and Adam Cristman took the spots left behind by Ralston and Noonan, respectively. However, beyond these two players, what’s left on the Revolution bench should injury or tactical shift become necessary?

There’s a horde of unproven rookies, with the exception of veteran Marshall Leonard, who has been curiously banished to the role of unused substitution thus far.

But there’s a more glaring problem when the Revs head into any particular match shorthanded. A cursory count of the current roster will lead you to conclude that the Revs are two players short a full roster.

The troubling aspect of this development is that it’s not a recent development. Since the Revs placed Joey Franchino on the season-ending injury list and waived Danny Hernandez back in May, the club has marched on without a full roster. Sure, it’s cute when your starters are healthy and the club sits in first place. But when two critical pieces of the starting eleven fall to injury and/or sickness, the issue of pressing on without a full compliment of players is completely unacceptable.

What kind of outrage would there be in Boston if Theo Epstein kept the Red Sox two players below the 25-man limit? Or if Bill Belichick carried 51 players instead of the 53-man max? Fans would be furious! The sports talk-show circuit would feast on such developments. Yet, the Revs have quietly gone about their business with two empty slots, hoping that the soccer gods would seemingly smile on them with an injury-free season.

How foolish.

Due to the ambiguity in terms of the gentleman who carries the responsibility of filling the roster – much is speculated whether it’s Nicol himself or a cast of front office characters that decide the list - I can only conclude that whoever has the final say should be taken to task.

To carry on while a club’s roster is artificially shrunken for the better part of three months is preposterous, and becomes even more absurd when two starters are unavailable. Troubling as it is, what would happen if another starter went down with a more serious injury – an ailment that required the remainder of the season to heal, for example? What is the contingency plan if Taylor Twellman has to miss a lengthy series of matches due to injury? Who’s going to fill in if Michael Parkhurst is forced to the sidelines for a prolonged amount of time?

Nicol has repeatedly hinted at negotiations with a player of interest since May. Well, it’s now mid-August, and the negotiations are either dead or nonexistent. If a deal was going to be made, it would have been John Hancocked weeks ago. Instead, many are left wondering whether another player will actually be signed before the September 15th MLS roster freeze.

Besides the obvious, a shorthanded team is forced to play conservative football to compensate for the losses. This variety of football is ugly, unaggressive fare, which a first place club like the Revs should have no business in dabbling in whatsoever.

The Revs need to sign two capable players now. At very least, the first priority should be to bring in a veteran playmaker – i.e. a Jose Cancela-type player, both seasoned and creative that, should the Revs be put in the predicament their in right now, the drop-off in play won’t be as dramatic. They have money - the Clint Dempsey transfer fee ensures this. Even aside from that, the club is reportedly well under the $2.1 million MLS salary cap.

There should be no excuse why the roster isn’t completely filled. It shouldn’t take two key injuries to raise the issue, but unfortunately, the awareness of the two-open spots has just become a glaring black hole that could doom the first place club. The organization should have anticipated losses during this critical six-game, seventeen-day stretch. Shame on the powers that be for allowing this situation to carry on as long as it has.

Now, with the soapbox kicked back under the bed, it was time to watch the Revs take on the Wizards. Fortunately for the fans of Kansas City, their club actually carries a full roster. Unfortunately, the pitch at Arrowhead Stadium was gridironed due to Friday’s Dolphins-Chiefs game.

The Revs wasted no time on attack as Taylor Twellman crashed the box and skipped the ball wide of net in the first minute after Wiz keeper Kevin Hartman deflected the ball away. Immediately, the Revs put the Wiz on notice that this was not the same club that curled up in a ball and assumed the fetal position vs. Colorado three days before.

Minutes later, the Revs amped up the attack again when Shalrie Joseph took an Avery John pass and raced into the middle of the home end before shooting a cannonball right on Hartman.

In the ninth minute, the skies began to open up and the rains poured down on the slick pitch, which played into the hands of the road club, who often play a quick-paced attack anyway on the fast surface at Gillette Stadium.

During the 16th minute, Andy Dorman sent a free kick right into the mixer right toward a hard charging Adam Cristman. The rookie striker sent a hard header, but the ball went wide of net.

By the 20-minute mark, the Revs had done well to create the offensive chances absent in the Colorado game, and did well to hold back a potent KC attack. In fact, the only chances early for the Wizards were effectively non-chances, as the club was offside on both occasions.

Proving that the Wizards actually had an offense to speak of, Eddie Johnson streaked down the left flank and attempted to cross the ball into the box, but Michael Parkhurst adeptly rejected the pass out of harm’s way in the 29th minute, and thus the mini-attack fizzled.

Off a corner kick n the 32nd minute, Dorman delivered a nice ball into the box that Jeff Larentowicz curiously out jumped, forcing him to chest the ball wide of the far post.

The Revs continued to play well and controlled the match for the most part by creating chances and playing stout defense on the few occasions that Kansas City managed to hold the ball for more than a few seconds.

Shalrie Joseph sent a well-timed pass forward to an onrushing Larentowicz in the 41st minute until Hartman narrowly beat the Kaiser to the ball as the chance dissipated.

The injury bug struck in the 43rd minute as Jay Heaps fell to the pitch with an apparent leg ailment. Attempting to simply finish off the half, the dependable defender tried to press forward. Mercifully, less than ten seconds of stoppage time transpired, and Heaps was just able to finish the half.

James Riley came in for Heaps in the second frame, and in the 46th minute, and immediately made his mark when he took down Johnson near midfield on a disputed foul call that went against the Revs. Much to the chagrin of Revs color guy Greg Lalas, the affable broadcast partner of Brad Feldman simply stated “That’s a good tackle. If you don’t like that, go back to U-10s.”

The Wizards attacked early twice before the 50th minute, but each one was followed up with the sobering offside call by the linesman.

The Revs reorganized a quick attack in the 53rd minute that saw John send a bending ball from midfield into the box that Larentowicz made a dive at before being pushed to the ground by KC defender. No call was made against the perpetrator, as the Revs headed back on defense.

After a brief spurt of offense from the home side, the Revs reacquired the ball and in the 55th minute Dorman sent in a nice corner kick that was headed tantalizingly over the bar by a leaping Larentowicz stationed close to the near post.

Kansas City then re-appeared in a brief attacking cameo until Jose Burciaga flopped in front of the referee, eliciting a dangerous free kick from the right wing that was heroically punched away by Matt Reis in the 58th minute.

By the hour mark, the play on the slick surface began to sway physically, as Davy Arnaud elbowed Shalrie Joseph near midfield. The tough Grenadian got back to his feet soon afterward, and not surprisingly, no card was awarded.

The pain ensured in 64th minute, Kerry Zavagnin was fouled at the doorstep of the box and KC was awarded a dangerous free kick from 18 yards out. Carlos Marinelli launched a rocket right on Twellman, who writhed in pain after the ball hit him in a less-than-desirable location.

The KC attack began to pick up additional steam in the 68th minute when Marinell sent in a dangerous cross to Eloy Colombano, who headed the ball just outside the far post amid a group of disorganized Revolution backs.

The offensive tide appeared to turn in favor of the home club by the 72nd minute until Joseph delivered a beautiful ball to Khano Smith who paced down the left with a clear shot on goal. With Twellman streaking toward the box, Smith sent a perfect ground ball to the onrushing striker, who slid home the ball into the net for the goal at 9:32pm ET.

The pressure to preserve the lead and ultimately three points on the road would fall on the backs (no pun intended) of the Revolution defenders. However, Smith had no such allusions of playing straight defense in the 79th minute when he fired a rocket yards in front of Hartman that hissed wide of the woodwork.

The Revs put on a defensive clinic in the waning minutes of regulation and although extra time was prolonged due to a scary on-air collision near the top of the box between Jimmy Conrad and Joseph, the Wizards failed to muster a single shot, as the Revs pocked a crucial three points, 1-0.

Stat of the Match, Part 1: Including the US Open Cup tilt on August 8, the Revs posted a 4-2-0 during their grueling six-games-in-seventeen-days stretch.

Stat of the Match, Part 2: The Revs recorded three corner kicks in the first ten minutes of play. In their previous match vs. Colorado, they recorded all of one corner kick during the entire match.

Stat of the Match, Part 3: The Wizards didn’t record their first corner kick until the 74th minute.

Stat of the Match, Part 4: Since their last encounter on August 2, the Revs have played five games, while the Wizards had played zero.

Stat of the Match, Part 5: Despite the lack of offensive prowess, the Wizards were caught offside twice as many times (8) than the Revolution (4).

Hidden sign of the match: The last time Matt Reis wore the all-green keeper ensemble the Revs tied the Houston Dynamo 3-3 at Foxboro on July 22. SMS has no idea what this correlation means, save for the fact that Reis likes to wear green on occasion.

It must have been produced by the same guys who did the Emerald Nuts commercials: Prior to the match, Cox3, the local carrier of TV38 Revolution broadcasts, showed a nutty Revolution-Wizards broadcast spot that went along the lines of “Viva la Revolution” featuring a Spanish-accented narrator with Italian-sounding background music. Additionally, there is a graphic of soccer-player’s profile, with a seemingly vintage, communist-themed background. Huh??? What are you trying to brainwash me to do???

The Delorean is parked outside: Did you see where 66,237 showed up – and not disguised as empty seats, either – for the Red Bull-Galaxy match at Giants Stadium Saturday night?

Wow.

Of course, this shouldn’t be surprising considering these types of crowds are exactly what MLS anticipated when they drafted the designated player allocation rule last year. It’s one thing to anticipate or imagine – but to see it before your very eyes? It’s a special time we, as American soccer fans, live in, one which hasn’t been seen in nearly thirty years.

Furthermore, the match – an entertaining 5-4 home victory for the Energy Drinks – was surely exciting for the newcomers, with the defense somewhere else other than the artificial pitch. On top of that, Beckham not only played the a full ninety, but also was on top of his game, chalking up two assists under the same bright lights that Pele, Giorgio Chinaglia and Franz Beckenbauer all played under in the late-70s.

According to multiple reports, the massive crowd on hand was abuzz with excitement, and espnsoccernet’s Steve Davis went so far as to say that the match was “an instant classic.” SMS wishes he could have attended the affair to witness the spectacle first-hand and experience not only the a slice of the overwhelming fervor, but to also see what it was like back in the heyday of the NASL.

Of course, the large crowd at the Meadowlands also begs the question as to whether Beckham would have served the league better by playing in New York (ok, it’s New Jersey) rather than Los Angeles. Would 66,000+ fans show up for every Red Bull match? We’ll never know. Of course, with Red Bull’s spiffy soccer spec stadium due to be completed next season, the League won't see such turnouts in NY unless the club rents out Giants Stadium for each future Beckham appearance.

If MLS is wise, next season's Red Bull-Galaxy match will be scheduled prior to the opening of Red Bull Park (25,000 seating) while the club still plays in the 82,000 seat Giants Stadium. Should this be the case, SMS will be sure to circle the date of the match and purchase tickets in order to witness the soccer extravaganza.

US Women’s National Team Feature: Angie Woznuk, or "Wozzy" as she likes to be called, is a 22-year old midfielder from sunny San Diego who played or the appropriately named "Surf" soccer team for five years. She recorded her first cap back in 2005 on July 24 vs. Iceland, and although she hasn't recorded a cap since then, she hopes to see a few more minutes during 2007.In 2006 she recorded 13 assists and scored two goals for the Pilots, while playing alongside WNT defender Stephanie Lopez. Her favorite women's soccer player is Julie Foudy, and she aspires to be an X-ray technician, and looks forward to becoming a mom one day - to which SMS awards bonus “wholesome points” for the heartwarming proclamation.

Fewf! The recently-compact Revolution match schedule has finally concluded, not only giving the players a welcome break, but SMS as well. Personally, I haven’t written this much since in such a compact amount of time since my Current Political Thought class back in the ol' college days – and I don’t even get college credits for all this!

In any event, SMS will definitely be doing some R & R as he gears up for both the Red Bull-Revs match and the National Soccer Hall of Fame inductions the following day. Due to this, the post-match submission may be a little light, with the focus squarely on the match and devoid of incessant ranting. Then again, your unwasted brain cells will probably thank me for it!

The Post-Beckham Scene

It's over.

All the hype, hoopla, and haberdashery has hurried on out with a stop on the MLS schedule at Hoboken, er, the Meadlowands, NJ on Saturday.

Though David Beckham never stepped foot onto the pitch for the Galaxy-Revolution match, the pre-match spectator buzz was straight out of a European football ground with a little American-style theatrics to ensure the crowd was thoroughly roused.

A regular season record Revolution crowd of 35,402 arrived at Gillette Stadium hoping to catch a glimpse of the world's most famous footballer on the pitch. The entire "lower bowl" of the stadium was opened to accommodate the masses, and although Beckham never stepped foot onto the synthetic grass to aid his teammates, the crowd was treated to an F-15 flyover and an exciting match that ensued soon thereafter.

But were the celebrity hounds and Star subscribers entertained enough to return?

That is the critical question. While there may have been a certain level of disappointment over the star's non-appearance, the heart of the matter is that, aside from the theatrics, a wonderful winning effort was on display before a packed house. The Revolution played a gem of a match for the better part of the evening, and the club's most recognizable star, Taylor Twellman, scored a beautiful goal in the 55th minute. Although the lads sputtered toward the end, the scoreboard ultimately flashed a 1-0 result in favor of the locals. This in itself should have sent the crowd home happy and clamoring for more.

But did it? Will the boo-hoo of a bench-ridden Beckham override the excitement of the game actually played before the masses? There's no disputing that there will be some who will never see another soccer game ever again for whatever reason, regardless of whether Beckham's ankle ever heals in time for a return engagement next year. That being said, when Beckham does make his return next year with the Galaxy, will we see another sold-out match? Or will the level of excitement subside to the point where the stadium reverts back its 22,000 seat threshold for the encore?

The bottom line is ultimately whether a considerable amount of new fans were created by the event. An event for sure, since most Revolution games do not involve the pomp and circumstance of 35,000+ fans, NFL-caliber pre-game festivities, fireworks, and gaggles of cars proceeding slowly down Route 1. Credit the Krafts for adding the glamorous touches to truly make the night special. But was enough accomplished outside of a Beckham cameo to ensure that the masses will reappear in the near future for a less-hyped, yet entertaining night of soccer?

The Rookie Perspective on 'Beckhamania'

With a tsunami of media attention drawn toward David Beckham’s arrival in Foxboro this weekend, it’s certainly easy to get caught up in the whirlwind that accompanies the globe’s most popular soccer player. While the superstar’s grand entrance elicits various opinions and responses among the MLS’s senior statesmen and veterans, many of younger players’ views go unsolicited.

Well, Revsnet’s Brian O’Connell caught up with three of the Revolution rookies – Chris Loftus, Kyle Helton, and Ryan Solle- to get their take on “Beckhamania” and other topics.

Brian: When you guys first heard that he was coming here to MLS to play, what was your reaction?

Chris Loftus: I was kind of skeptical, at first. But once it kind of got finalized, I was excited. It’s good for the league. We’ll get a lot more people out to the games, and give soccer in the U.S. a little more exposure.

Kyle Helton: Yeah, I think it’s exciting, definitely, because there’ll be a lot more people obviously who want to come to the games. People who may not have even watched soccer before and now wanting to come and trying to get tickets and wanting to come to the game, and they find out that the game’s sold out and everything, and they’re really upset (at not being able to get tickets). I mean, I’m just excited to see people getting as excited as I am about the game.

Ryan Solle: Basically, they summed up everything. Maybe at first, I was a little skeptical, a little iffy about it, but at the same time he’s coming over now. And you start to see celebrities that want to hang out with him and start to come to soccer games in L.A. and I think (as a result) more and more people are starting to get into soccer and hopefully he can help the league out a lot.

Brian: Now with Beckham coming to New England – there has to be more ticket requests from friends and family, right?

Chris: Yeah, yeah definitely, especially for this game and I know a couple of guys on the team have had to get a lot of extra ticket for family and friends because a lot people want to come to the game. I guess we sold like 30,000 ticket for this game, so I think this game alone has helped us out a lot.

Brian: What kind of buzz has there been this week throughout the locker room with Beckham here this weekend?

Chris: We’re concerned about staying on top of the Eastern Conference right now. It’s not really about (Beckham coming here), we just worry about ourselves. I wouldn’t say it’s really changed at all, whatsoever in the locker room, to be honest with you. It’s just another game.
Brian: Have the coaches said anything to you guys about preparing for a game like this with all of the media attention focused on the game?

Kyle: No, I mean, I don’t think the coaches have said anything about Beckham in practice at all. It’s been pretty much get three points and play good football, and that’s about it.

Brian: As far as the camaraderie among the younger guys – you guys here are all first year players here, so what kind of things do you guys do just to encourage each other to get through the season to stay motivated?

Chris: Well I guess as a rookie class, we all live in pretty close range of each other. We do a lot of stuff off the field with each other. So anytime you have that kind of camaraderie off the field, it’s going to translate on the field as well. This week especially, all the starters only practiced a couple of times (due to the US Open Cup on Wednesday night). It’s good to play against other rookies and guy and compete against each other. The guys here are real good. We take criticism positively, and working to compete with one another on the field.

Brian: As rookies, I know you guys see a lot of your action in reserve league games. With a schedule of only 12 games, would it help if maybe there were more games to help get you more on-field playing time?

Kyle: Well I think it’s great that we have 12 reserve games, but it would be nice if we had a few more. But just with the guys that we have on our team I mean we have veterans and some of the best players in the country and everyday we come and practice (against them), and it’s like we’re playing at the highest level. So even with or without the reserve games, we’re always playing against a high-level of players.

Brian: Lastly, I know there are a lot of ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) guys here. I know that Chris and Kyle are Duke guys, and Ryan, I know you’re a Wake Forest guy. Is there a lot of teasing going between the guys from the ACC?

Ryan: Not really, I’ve played against these guys for the past four years and I’ve also played on summer league teams with them and stuff like that so even before we got here, we’ve had friendships being built in the process. It’s also just, before we stepped on the field we’d say ‘hey’ to them but once we stepped onto the field, we’re battling, and right as we stepped off the field, after the game, we’d go up to each other and catch up real quick. But I mean, right now, I believe Wake is leading this team with four guys on it, so Duke’s right behind us with three.
Kyle: But the three of us can take the four of them.

Chris: I’d definitely say that at least once a week, there’s some sort of little comment between each other, whether it’s them making it to the Final Four or us not, or us beating them in the ACC championship. I mean look at it for next year’s college team, Duke’s number two (in NCAA college soccer) in the country going in, Wake’s number four and both are number one and number two in the ACC,. All four years that I was there (at Duke) it was a tough rivalry (between the two schools). In my opinion, those (Duke and Wake Forest) are two of the colleges that play the best soccer in the ACC. I would like go down, all of us go down, and watch the Duke-Wake game whether it’s a regular season game or the ACC tournament. I’d like for all of us to go down there. I think it would be a good time.

Brian: Maybe you want to jump in there and say something Ryan…

Ryan: Yeah, every now and then you hear Marshall (Leonard) or Adam (Cristman) trying to say something about University of Virginia (another ACC school) but they’re starting to fall off.

Kyle: Like this guy (Ryan), I’ve been playing against him for the past 6-7 years; I mean we used to play against one another in high school so we always battled. So people talk about us coming here and battling Beckham, but there’s no battle like the Duke-Wake battle, you know? There’s no battle like that. So we’re ready for the (Galaxy) game. We’re excited about it and hopefully we can get a win.

Red Sox Nation: Get to Know the Revolution!

By now, you may have heard of some soccer player named David Beckham coming to town this weekend. If you haven't bought tickets for Sunday's L.A. Galaxy-Revs match at Gillette Stadium, well then, you'll have to catch it on TV38 because the game is sold out. Nevertheless, should your interest be piqued by the glamour and glitz or the bending banana kicks of Mr. Beckham, here is a cheat sheet for those of you who know the Red Sox, but may not know much about the New England Revolution (colloquially known as "the Revs").

Back to Beckham: He's kind of a big deal in the world of soccer, and although he's not the best player in the world, he's certainly the most popular, with numerous global brands attached to his very likeness. In jest, he is called "Mr. Posh" after his wife, the high-heeled and large sunglasses-sporting former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, who you may have also heard of at some point as well.

But, if that's all you know about soccer, then you are in luck. If you're familiar with other team sports- say, the Boston Red Sox - but are new to soccer, then you may have some trouble getting to know the lads chanted and cheered for by soccer fans across New England.

Now if you are indeed member of Red Sox Nation and wish to see what all the fuss is about, the stars are aligned for a perfect afternoon and evening: the Sox are playing at 1:35pm in Baltimore, thus allowing plenty of time for you to mow the lawn, mix some lemonade, give the dog that bath you've been putting off all summer, and still have time to catch the 7:00pm start for the Revs and Galaxy game. So after the Sox play nine against the O's in the early afternoon, you are personally welcomed to take a gander at our sport. After all, it is the world's game. And lucky you - it’s played professionally right in your own backyard by one of the best clubs in Major League Soccer!

So without further ado, in order to better educate you on some of the more notable Revolution players, the following is some crude, yet somewhat insightful (hopefully) comparisons between some notable Red Sox players and some notable Revolution players.

Taylor Twellman is Manny Ramirez. Twellman (#20) is a forward (also known as a “striker”), and his primary responsibility is quite simple: to put the ball in the back of the net. He is not only the most productive player on the Revs roster in terms of doing just that, but is also one the best strikers in MLS, and has 82 career goals in his six year MLS career to prove the point. Like Manny, he is the offensive catalyst for team that has many offensive weapons, and as a result, is also one of the most popular players on the Revolution.

Steve Ralston is Mike Lowell. Ralston (#14) is a midfielder whose primary responsibility is to help organize the attack, and is often a chief engineer of many Revolution goals. The stats don't lie: the MLS Ironman - he's played in an MLS record 328 games and counting - has 115 career assists, which is also an MLS record as well. This year he's recorded nine assists thus far, and a stat like that speaks to his uncanny knack at sparking the offense. Like Lowell, he brings a steadying veteran presence, and quietly goes about his business, letting his team's record do all the talking.

Matt Reis is David Ortiz. Reis (#1) is a spectacular player who is best known for stepping up in the clutch. Like Ortiz, Reis, the club's goalkeeper, has shined under pressure, as highlighted by a spectacular performance during last season's playoff shootout vs. the Chicago Fire. Not only did he deny two of the five attempts - the success rate of penalty kicks is about 80% - but also blasted one home for the Revs during their sequence of attempts as well. Ortiz and Reis are also much beloved players by their respective fans, and Reis often goes one step further by publicly supporting worthwhile charitable causes.

Andy Dorman is Kevin Youkilis. Dorman (#25) is an attacking midfielder, whose primary responsibility is to not only feed the forwards (like Twellman and Pat Noonan), but to take charge and also put the ball on net. Like Youkilis, the tall and lanky (in that respect, the comparison is bad) Welshman is one of the League's most productive and underrated players, with seven goals so far this season, and does well to terrorize the opposing teams goalkeeper. Interestingly, while both players were deserving of accolades, both we snubbed in their respective league's all-star selections this year.

Shalrie Joseph is Jason Varitek. Joseph (#21) is also a team leader - much like 'Tek - but his responsibility is not only to help initiate the attack when the ball is fairly deep in the opposition end, but to also stopgap an opponent's attack as well. He is the prototypical cerebral player: extremely smart, hardly ever makes an erroneous pass, and is most noticeable when he makes hard challenges on the ball – challenges which he often wins. The tall, dreadlocked Grenadian midfielder is the best in the league at his position, and as a result, offers from oversees clubs have come in to try and pry Mr. Joseph from the Revs. His stats won't "wow" you; it's the incalculable impact he has on the field - the intangibles - that truly make him a special player, much like Varitek.

Adam Cristman is Dustin Pedroia. Cristman (#7) is the most productive rookie in MLS right now, with 4 goals and 4 assists on the stat sheet so far. Like Pedroia, the rookie forward struggled in his first handful of matches before he notched his first goal in May vs. the same LA Galaxy in town this weekend. Both rookies have found their spots on their respective clubs, and are leading candidates for Rookie of the Year honors in their respective sports.

Now, a brief LA Galaxy-baseball comparison:

Landon Donovan is Alex Rodriguez - playing for the Orioles, that is. Donovan (#10) is arguably the best player in the league, much like A-Rod, but is surrounded by a cast of underperforming players this season. Before Becks, he was the League's "Golden Boy" in terms of both marketing and skill on the pitch. His status as one of the best American- born players is backed up by his 34 career US Men's National Team goals, despite the fact that he is only 25 years old. It also doesn’t hurt that he is married to actress Bianca Kajlich, giving the nicknamed “Landycakes” an extra bit of star appeal.

David Beckham is…well, there's only one David Beckham. Imagine, if you will, Michael Jordan leaving the Bulls and joining a lesser, talent-deficient team…wait, he’s already done that.
Truth be told, there really isn't a comparable baseball player, or any other athlete other than Jordan to compare him to; Becks carries with him an unrivaled worldwide appeal that brings a newcomer like you to see what the big deal is.

And with that, I hope you get to know all of the local soccer players, and most of all, I hope you enjoy the game!

Sunday Morning Striker: Revs spanked by DC, and the return of the Khano Smith Heckler

So there I was, sipping a caffeinated beverage while taking in Revs match versus DC, when a vaguely familiar voice bellowed.

“…oh no, don’t give it to him! Don’t give it to him! He’s gonna screw up!”

The sentiment and voice were remarkably familiar from a previous Columbus-Revs match back in June. So I listened carefully again to see if this was the voice I heard before.

“Oh God NO!!! Don’t give it to him! Give it to DC before you pass it to him…oh no…”

As the player heckled took the ball down the left flank, it was confirmed…

“Smith!!! Smith!!! You are THE worst player in MLS! You are HORRIBLE!”

The Khano Smith Heckler was back!

Yes, it surely isn’t 100% fair to Kenny, who undoubtedly works hard in training, and has shown flashes of a potentially dangerous left-sided mid. But then again, the criticism isn’t insanely misguided, as the tall Bermudan has occasionally raised some question mark balloons above players and fans alike.

Now to my point: vocal criticism, however biting or flattering, is a good thing. So, while I feel for a player like Khano getting verbally lambasted, it nevertheless is a clear indicator that fans honestly care about this time. And it sure as heck beats the silent, Wall Street Journal-reading spectators (yes, SMS actually sat behind a fan catching up on financial news as Pat Noonan tapped in the first goal of the night last Thursday vs. Kansas City). Sadly, the distracted spectator is not an isolated incident: SMS has observed many observers simply reading a soft cover novel or polishing their crossword skills while a match was being played!

Sometimes it pains me to hear harsh, exaggerated criticism of a player, because there is no way that Khano Smith is the worst player in MLS. SMS can think of at least ten more players much less proficient on the ball than the Bermudan. But, at least the sentiment shows that people care, and are willing to make it known that they disapprove of a player. They care…we all should care. This is our team. Better to be criticized and talked about than wallow in the silence of indifference.

Disclosure: Now, SMS personally does not go out of his way to criticize a player at length, but rather, often offers encouragement to a navy blue performer with the ball (“C’mon, Kenny!”).

In other news, what a beautiful day for an ugly match! The soccer gods must have been pleased with the way the Revs had been playing this year, since, amazingly, no home match this season has been rained upon. But, despite the warm and sunny conditions, the Revs wilted, as DC United took the reigns early and often.

With the sun beating down on the dark, navy (i.e. heat absorbing) seats, SMS’s back was cooking like swine on a skillet. SMS also sweat profusely through his light green t-shirt, certainly giving an unflattering appearance to the lovely lady Revs fans.

The Revs kicked off to start the match, and soon after, the proceedings took an early sign of promise when Khano Smith unleashed the first shot of them matchless than two minutes after the opening whistle. Sure, it started out promising…then again, so did SMS’ writing career!

Another promising opportunity occurred in the 14th minute as Steve Ralston stepped up on the right and found an open Andy Dorman. The attacking mid, with an open view of the goal, took a couple steps and fired a shot that died almost immediately after a DC defender but a leg on it and blocked it away.

Ralston tried to jump-start the offense again in the 17th after a mini-attack that resulted in a free kick from about 35 yards out. Ralston sailed a kite toward goal but went high above the bar.
Neither team looked particularly astute on the ball, as the Revs and United traded the ball with alarming regularity. After all, weren’t the Revs in first place, and DC toiling nine points behind New England in fifth place?

Apparently, DC failed to get the memo on the standings, when an unfortunate series of events took place on the green frying pan posing as a pitch before the home crowd.

In minute 22, United midfielder Clyde Simms put the ball on net that Matt Reis smothered for the save. Then, Josh Gros tip-toed toward a horizontal Reis clearly holding the ball and kicked the ball right out of the keeper’s grasp and into the back of the net. Despite the obvious flagrant foul by Gros, referee Alex Prus upheld the sinister goal, giving the road club the early lead. (Interestingly, the mini-highlight reel of the match on MLSnet.com does not show the controversial goal).

Nicol’s boys tried to respond in the 29th minute on a Ralston special to Noonan, who missed wide of the goal on an impressive header near the goalmouth.

DC counterattacked soon after said missed header, Guy-Roland Kpene snuck infiltrated the Revs defense and delivered a perfect ball to teammate Luciano Emilio before the Brazilian struck true for the second goal of the match. While DC’s first goal was clearly sour, this one was truly sweet.

The best chance of the first half came in the 39th minute when Taylor Twellman made a brief cameo in the Revolution attack when he headed a brilliant Ralston corner kick that the striker headed on a sure fire strike. Unluckily, DC’s Ben Olsen was perfectly positioned right on the goal line and cleverly headed the ball away from the goalmouth, as the Revs shook their heads in disbelief.

Just before time expired in the first half, Ralston delivered a signature corner kick from the left and the ball menacingly bounced between United and Revolution players alike. Jeff Larentowicz finally took a hold and pushed the ball forward mere yards in front of goal before the ball lightly kissed the woodwork.

In an interesting move, Nicol sat Dorman and inserted Adam Cristman in his spot, putting three forwards on the pitch in an attempt to rejuvenate his maligned club.

The move proved to be in vain, as DC instead began to play more fluidly and the Revs sputtered on the attack, often times peppering keeper Troy Perkins with token lollipops that fell softly to his arms for easy saves.

When the Revs actually made brief cameos in the United end, the sequence often died a slow death. A fine example occurred in the 55th minute as Smith took the ball near to the op of the box, evaded a defender, and back-heeled a gorgeous short pass to Shalrie Joseph racing down the left flank. Unfortunately, the Grenadian tried to cut on a dime and launched a ball from a tough angle that did nothing but invoke Perkins to look up and watch the ball fly well above him.

To make matters worse, the Emilio struck again when he spearheaded a quick United counterattack of a free kick near center circle. As he barreled down the heart of the Revs defense, he beat defender Avery John and went mano-a-mano with Reis and buried the ball past the bald keeper, giving the roadside a 3-0 lead at the 76th minute. At this point, stationed behind the DC goal, SMS penned “game ovah” in his notebook at 5:41pm ET.

Though the Revs tried to press to spoil the clean sheet, they had no answer, as their District of Columbia counterparts played inspired and sound football.

One final chance to attain a goal before the rest of the crowd headed out took place at the 89th minute. Cristman took a long pass and delved into the center of the box before flicking a low-caliber shot that skipped wide of the woodwork.

Minutes later, the match was thankfully euthanized at 5:58pm ET, as the Revs dropped an unattractive loss to their Eastern Conference rivals, with the scoreboard flashing a disturbing 3-0 score.

Stat of the Match, Part 1: The loss on the home FieldTurf marked the first loss on the fake stuff all season. Previously, the Revs were 5-0-2 on the home carpet.

Stat of the Match, Part 2: Tom Soehn is 1-1-1 vs. New England in his managerial career.

Stat of the Match, Part 3: The Revs dropped their first game to DC in over a year, with the last loss coming on June 3, 2006 (1-0, at RFK Stadium)

Stat of the Match, Part 4: The shutout loss was the first versus an Eastern Conference club since opening day at Chicago back on April 7.

Stat of the Match, Part 5: Jeff Larentowicz turned 24 on Sunday, and was given a yellow birthday card by Prus in the 65th minute.

Sour Play of the Match: See first goal of the game, courtesy of Joshua Gros. Rest assured, the soccer gods are preparing their lightning bolts with Gros’ name on them as I type this.

Smart Play of the Match: In the 28th minute, Khano Smith found himself on an island on the left with no one open near the box. Instead of a trademark wild cross, Smith adeptly whipped the ball right at his defender as the deflection scurried past the goal line, leading to a corner kick.

Speaking of Smith - not too harp on the guy too much- but SMS will now be running a semi-regular item on Smith’s sometimes-comical escapades. This week, said escapade occurred rather early – the 8th minute, in fact – when the Bermudan released a mallard of a cross from the left high above any teammate under twenty feet tall.

Random soccer-related thought: While SMS sat in section 103 among some phantom fans, he noticed a group of five foreigners with Revolution caps. How I arrived at this conclusion cannot be explained, but the Revs would be wise to initiate a highly visible marketing campaign at the Wrentham Outlets mere miles north of the Stadium.

Why the outlets? Ask anyone who shops there on a regular basis (including SMS). There is a vast amount of foreign-speaking customers who regularly stroll between the fine outlet stores in search of great deals on brand name clothing. And of course, we all know how much soccer is a global game, with Americans perhaps being the last first-world nation to get the memo.

So would it hurt to put some Revolution signage in the outdoor walkways and indoor rest room hallways?

Revs marketing department: my agent is presently standing by awaiting your calls.

What about a home field advantage? With the 4:00pm kick off time under hot conditions, SMS already felt a bit of apprehension when he saw the road club decked out in white, and the Revs dressed in navy.

Now, I know that the all-navy kits are the Revs home strips, but isn’t there something that can be done to allow the Revs to come out dressed in their whites unis? Did anyone think for a second that in addition to the boiling FieldTurf, the all-navies actually absorb even more heat?

The NFL has a rule that in summary states that the home club has the choice of uniform, whether it be darks or whites. However, the home club must notify the road club 48 hours in advance of what uniforms the home club will be wearing. So, although home clubs traditionally wear their dark jerseys at home, and white jerseys on the road (the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins are the notable exceptions to this trend), the home club always determines who wears what come game day.

That being said, if such a rule is in place - or if there is wiggle room within MLS rules that states that the home club can choose the strips - then why did the Revs choose to wear the navy blues? For that matter, why do the Revs continually wear all-navy under the hot, mid-summer afternoon sun when they would be much better served by wearing the white jerseys?

Tradition is one thing; an added home field advantage is another. Of course, this is somewhat of a moot point now that the remainder of the club’s home tilts all take place during the evening, with no more afternoon games on the regular season schedule. Next year, let’s get the players in white unis for the afternoon games!

Beckham Watch: You may or may not have heard, but David Beckham continues to nurse an ankle injury that has delayed his official MLS match debut through this past weekend. The timetable for his recovery, according to Becks, is 7-10 days, which puts his MLS on-field arrival in Foxboro into question.

Despite the uncertainty, the scene itself will be exciting to bear witness to, whether the Spice Boy graces the pitch or the bench. The entire “inner bowl” of the Gillette Stadium will be packed, as the match has been sold-out. With a potential of 30,000 spectators on-hand to catch a gander of the former Galactico, it will be a scene that should not be forgotten anytime soon.

On a personal note, the LA-Revs match will be the first one for Chris, the Official Brother of SMS. After many failed attempts to get him to Gillette for the Revs last year, the cost of the Beckham Four-Pack is well worth getting my younger sibling to watch this great sport first hand.

And so what if it takes a household name like Beckham’s to get the generally non-interested crowd to MLS venues – it’s ok. Whether or not Beckham’s on the pitch, the fact of the matter is that soccer games will be watched by those who have yet to experience the beautiful game. That in itself is just awesome!

To those of you new to our sport, and are taking in a game because you’ve read the tabloids and watched countless hours of Beckham-related items on Entertainment Tonight and E! News, let me be one first to formally welcome you to this wonderful sport.

Oh, and don’t forget: we have some other great players in this league not named Beckham, y’know!

MLS Magazine review: Since SMS is in the business of beating dead equine further – and business is good with Beckham around – I decided to pick up the latest issue of Major League Soccer Magazine at the ProShop in between the halves.

First and foremost, though the cover price was $4.99, the ProShop was hawking them at an inflated $10.00 price. Hey, where else can you get a “collector’s edition” of the mag for twice the cover price? Boy, was I had like a senior citizen at the slots!

The publication itself is fantastic. The layout of pics, quotes, articles and contests (win a Beckham England jersey) was far better than some of the posers on the newsstands that are nothing more than a collection of oversized photos and annoying multi-font blurbs about stuff no one cares about. (*Cough* ESPN The Magazine *Cough*)

A treat appeared at the back of the mag in the form a fresh Jimmy Conrad piece. Editors, do us all a favor, and bring any future Conrad articles closer to the front pages, please. Pay him exorbitant fees to get him to write regularly as well. Sincerely, SMS.

SMS Providence Soccer League update: In order to satiate my never-ending hunger for live soccer, I drove through Providence’s East Side en route to Gano Street Park to catch an amateur game soon after the Revs-DC match.

So I didn’t know what the names of the teams were since much of the banter around me was in espanol, but I can tell you with much certainty that the guys in the black-and-white striped kits beat the guys in the white kits, 2-0 during the 7:00pm match.

Despite the language barrier and general unfamiliarity with the league and teams, I highly recommend attending a match there on a beautiful Sunday afternoon (they also play on Saturdays as well). Like many ethnic soccer leagues, you’re not just treated to one game, but multiple games that encompass an entire afternoon. Plus, it’s free soccer!

US Women’s National Team Feature: Her face may not be as recognizable as Kristine Lilly’s or Briana Scurry’s, but one of the latest additions to Greg Ryan’s World Cup contingent is none other than Santa Clara University grad Marian Dalmy. Those of you at the US-Mexico tilt at Gillette back in April may remember her: she made her WNT debut during the 5-0 win against an overmatched Mexican side. An interesting note to Dalmy’s appointment to the World Cup roster: with only two caps on the media sheet, she is the least-capped player on the roster.

The regular SMS piece will not appear after the Harrisburg-Revs U.S. Open Cup match, but will return following the LA match next Sunday. Never fear though, SMS will return soon and will have plenty to say about the elephants and caged tigers on Route 1 for the arrival of the Beckham circus next weekend. So kids, bring your cameras, and ladies, be sure to practice your kiss-blowing techniques – for SMS will return the flashbulbs and alluring gestures with a wink and a smile!

The Farce That Has Become the "David Beckham Rule"

The grand fishing net known as the Designated Player Allocation has caught its coveted catch in David Beckham, as well as another sizable fish in Claudio Reyna, in the hopes of not only increasing the league's visibility throughout the world, but enhancing the overall skill level.

And that's about it.

So now that the DPA, colloquially (perhaps, more accurately) known as the David Beckham Rule, has reeled in the metrosexual megastar, the situation now appears to be one of which the remainder of the league's owners are seemingly content with sitting on their respective DPAs without any intention of utilizing them. Beckham's here, let us all siphon off the signing by promoting his coming attraction to our respective stadiums, and call it a day, good fellows - Cheers! Unfortunately, this appears to be the unsettling stance taken by many owners with regards to the once-groundbreaking rule that harpooned Becks. Unfortunately, "groundbreaking" can no longer be used to describe the well-intentioned rule - "comical" may be the more accurate adjective.

Although the transfer window does not close until April, allotting a few weeks time for any club with its DPA to sign any piggy bank-breaking international star, it appears that MLS owners, as a whole, are warmly content tucked underneath its David Beckham blankie. A tool that was supposed to promote a healthy influx of international talent has instead become a mere front for bringing in Becks stateside, and nothing more, save for the signing of Reyna by Red Bull NY. Should the April transfer deadline pass without the signing of any other international stars, it would be a supreme waste of a golden opportunity for the owners to take. I

It's a pity, really. To tell the MLS Fan that his or her club, recently bestowed with the powerful ability to sign a talented international, that it will simply put its DPA in its back pocket is farcical to the very concept of the rule. After all, wasn't this supposed to be the avenue to which the league would not only achieve greater visibility, but greater respect among the rest of soccer-playing world? Added respect was attained by the Beckham signing, surely, despite the ever-present naysayers, but his name alone won't give the league the kind of credibility it looks to attain abroad. For that to happen, it would take the signing of lesser-known, talented players from realms other than the ones presently looked upon by many MLS owners. Yes, gentlemen, soccer is indeed played in South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. One need not look solely to Europe and Mexico to find such talent.

In essence, the inaction being exercised by these owners by snoozing on such talent only implies that there aren't any superbly-talented players in Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Australia, etc. worth grasping the wallet for. This is simply ludicrous, and deeply troubling to any well-informed soccer fan. Granted, there are many intangibles that one has to consider before signing a relative unknown (i.e. anyone who does not play in the English Premier League, La Liga, or Serie A), such as their ability to fit into a given club's system, compatibility with other players, communication, etc. But, to have your fans believe that there is simply no one in the entire soccer-playing globe worth using the DPA on is a slap in the face to those who pass through the turnstiles.

Fact of the matter is, contrary to popular belief, an owner need not invest the cartel of cash-stuffed suitcases given to Becks for a gifted international player. An enticing, incentive-laden deal for a young speedy forward or brilliantly creative midfielder would certainly benefit any club, without splurging millions on an older (more famous) past-prime player. Perhaps the root of the problem is the inadequacy of the league's international scouting to find these young players. If so, this may expose an ugly truth that the DPA has unwittingly brought to light.