Opinion: Soccer fans no longer hide in the shadows

COMMERCE CITY - David Beckham, international man of mystery, soon will arrive in the United States to convert millions of soccer-hating Americans into devotees of the game that has conquered nearly all the world.

No one in America likes soccer.

Right?

Ah, maybe not.

Beckham’s task might not be quite as huge as advertised. On Saturday night at the new home of the Colorado Rapids, a sell-out crowd gathered to watch the Los Angeles Galaxy, which soon will be Beckham’s employer.

He isn’t here yet. He’s still in Spain, playing for Real Madrid, possibly the best team in the world. He’s expected to splash down in the states in mid-July.

Even without Beckham, Saturday’s vibe was electric. The throng of 18,458 showed a high level of soccer expertise. This is no fluke.

Americans are too smart to ignore The Beautiful Game forever.

Sure, soccer always will be considered a dangerously boring invasion of our shores by millions of sports fans.

But the cult who loves soccer is coming out of hiding.

Beckham will provide a major boost. He’ll draw the eyes of millions — especially women who just want a good look at him — and carry the game straight into the minds of the general public.

You might think the Galaxy would resent Beckham. He’ll earn $5.5 million per season, six times more than any of his teammates. He’ll earn this whopping salary in the MLS, where 30 percent of the players earn the league minimum of less than $18,000.

Galaxy star Landon Donovan earns $900,000, one of the richer salaries in the MLS. He’s long been the Galaxy’s undisputed star and highest-paid player, a status that will soon change. He doesn’t mind.

“If he plays hard and helps us win, I don’t care what he makes,” Donovan said.

Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon agrees. He believes Beckham will produce a mountain of cash for everyone to share.

“We’re going to be the ones who benefit the most,” Cannon said.

Here’s the best thing about Beckham’s imminent arrival. It no longer smacks of a publicity stunt.

When Beckham signed his five-year, $27.5 million contract in January, his career was in tatters. He was sitting the bench for Real Madrid. He had been booted from the English national team. At 32, he seemed done as an elite player.

A strange thing happened to Beckham on his way to semiretirement in the U.S.

His career revived. He’s starting for Real Madrid. The English team has opened its arms to Beckham again. Suddenly, he’s one of the more indemand players on the planet.

England wants him for battles against Brazil, Russia and Estonia. The Galaxy wants him to play in front of star-struck fans in Los Angeles. The stage is set for an international tugof-war, which should be a blast to watch.

Beckham looms larger-thanlife. He’s married to the glamorous Victoria, a fashion icon. His hair styles and tattoos inspire impassioned debate.

His upcoming tour of American soccer stadiums will carry with it all the madness of a rock concert. He’ll be the beloved British invader, following in the steps of The Beatles and the Stones.

But he won’t be introducing soccer to the U.S.

At times, Saturday night’s sell-out crowd delivered deafening applause. It’s a sound that announces the world’s game already is being embraced in our allegedly soccer-hating land.

Columnist David Ramsey can be reached at 476-4895 or david.ramsey@gazette.com