Russakoff Rules
Putting the Ham in Beckham
By Lee Russakoff
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:09:06 GMT
Remember all that noise about David Beckham bringing soccer to America? Yea ... not so much.In The Beckham Experiment, a new book by Grant Wahl, Landon Donovan takes a few bites out of the Beckham aura. The L.A. Galaxy's second-most famous player calls out the captain for a lack of leadership, a lack of commitment and a generally laissez-faire attitude.
"Maybe he's not a leader, maybe he's not a captain," Donovan said. "Fair enough. But at a minimum, you should bust your ass every day. That hasn't happened. And I don't think that's too much for us to expect. Especially when he's brought all this on us." ...In other words, "Blue's dead. Frank's divorced. I lost my house. Nicole thinks I'm a total jackass. And now we got nine kids who are gonna get expelled from school, and you're not even gonna help them."
"Somewhere along the way - and in my mind it coincides with Ruud being let go - he just flipped a switch and said, 'Uh-huh, I'm not doing it anymore'." ...
"My sense is that David's clearly frustrated, that he's unhappy and, honestly, that he thinks it's a joke," he said. "I also kind of feel (he has taken the team) for granted. I don't see dedication or commitment to this team, and that's troubling."
Donovan went on to say he can't take much more of this tomfoolery.
"Let's say he does stay here three more years," Donovan said. "I'm not going to spend the next three years of my life doing it this way. This is f------ miserable. I don't want to have soccer be this way."The irony: Donovan did more for American soccer last weekend in South Africa than Beckham could ever hope to do.
The lesson: Importing foreign talent to American leagues is not the answer. Building a national program that can compete on the international level is. We're Americans. We want to be the best at everything. If we aren't, we deem it unimportant.
Case(s) in point: the Winter Olympics, math, science, women's synchronized swimming.
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Message Edited by Lee_Russakoff on 07-02-2009 11:28 AM
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On one hand I've always felt that you have to give a guy a year or 2 to settle in to a new city especially when he's coming from over seas. Now some of you may think to yourself that's BS you should be able to pick up and go to any city and have the same success as you did previously. In a perfect world your absolutely right, however this world is far from perfect.On the other hand, we are not talking about a Japanese ball player who has never been outside of Asia and now is coming to America to play the best ball players in the world. We are talking about a man who has frequented the U.S. for years before he played here, also speaks the same language, and is getting paid over 100 million to play in a league that really doesn't come close to the talent that he is used to. He should be mopping the floor with this league even if he has the flu on game day.
Maybe Donovan is jealous, but in a league where most players aren't making much more then 50 grand they should expect and get more from a guy that is making 100 million. And frankely Russakoff if this was an American athlete on an American team, and Not Beckham we are talking about jealousy wouldn't be the question........ Because we would all be in agreement that this player needs to step up and do his job. Just ask A Rod, everytime he even thinks about slumping, out come the Boo Birds.
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:20:10 GMT | ddcw
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I think Landon Donovan has every right to bring this issue out if he sincerely feels that David Beckham has not performed his duties, responsibilities and commitment to the LA Galaxy. But more importantly, for his sake, for the LA Galaxy, for the league's sake too - I hope he talked to Beckham about this first in a F2F meeting. Backhanded snipes are useless and destructive - get this solved and get back to the beautiful game.Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:47:35 GMT | JoeHinLG
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Landon can't even make the starting line-up for a second rate German League team. US professional soccer is a J-O-K-E. It's like watching a college level game, except almost all the players are from South America or Mexico.It's barely better or more interesting than a high school game.
The top US players all operate with some sense of entitlement which is wholly unnecessary and inappropriate. Bunch of prima donnas all waiting for someone to slap them on the back and confirm their long-held delusions of grandeur.
One big win against Spain does NOT mean that US soccer is healthy, or ready to play with the major international teams on a regular basis.
Who can blame Beckham for wanting to stay in Europe?
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:49:35 GMT | keissski
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True, True, True. I think Mr. Donavan is correct. We (United States) spend way too much money to bring outside talent to the United States instead of using the talent we have here.Every time the World Cup comes around, or some international tournament is activated, all these foreign players run back to their country and play for them. Even some US born players with dual citizenship play for the other guy, which is wrong.
Beckham was a joke from the beginning. He never wanted to play for LA. You could see it in his style of play. He probably gave 20 percent, when he wasn't faking his bull____ injury. Isn't it funny how since he has been playing in Europe, there doesn't seem to be an injury issue.
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:01:27 GMT | Shaleen1
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Beckham should have never come to play in the United States. He used the LA Galaxy and its fans for financial support. Why did he make so many commercial when he was here in the US about his after shave and such, but hardly a morsel on Soccer.You knock Donovan who is defending the US Soccer program and support Beckham and all the other out of state players, makes me wonder if your a United States Citizen or just a want a be.
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:09:36 GMT | Shaleen1
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Am surprised and happy Donovan was so honest. Very refreshing. Soccer is a team game and if "the best player" isn't giving it his all it creates a negative influence. If Beckham does think its below him have him give the money back and get out of town. Congrats to the USA in their showing last week.Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:12:55 GMT | bdrunning58
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Proof that the U.S. soccer team is ready to play with the major international teams on a regular basis will come during the World Cup. They've already done well against these teams in friendly games but the Confederations Cup showed they could do it under pressure, where losses mean going home.They deserve respect because they work hard to win, they never show up to a game and think they'll win easily. They understand that the team that shows up with the most determination and passion will win, because they have lost against Central American teams that European teams believe are pushovers. The consistency is not knowing you will win every game , it is having the mentality that you will lose if you don't prove your the better team. That sense of entitlement is needed in the game. Any team is ready once they figure this mentality out.
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:17:39 GMT | aworld3456
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Donovan comments should be done against the team owners! If he expected for David B. to come here to play soccer hes really not a intelligent person,because just a stupid person will be expecting dedication or commitment from Beckham at this time of his life andabove all in the MLS! David B. was invited to come here
to make and help someone to make money,nothing less
nothing more.
Now about some comments posted here...Most of you
maybe are thinking a soccer ball is a square...is not!
Now about Donovan...YOU do not are good enough to
play in any good European premier league at all,you are just a product of marketing like Freddy Adu...one
other joke...Freddy who!? Now...to finish...I was very
happy for our victory over the Spaniards...BUT let's
be REAL! None of the 11 US players HAVE a SPOT in
the first 18 Spanish National team,this is the reality.
We still decades behind of the majority of the teams
from Europe...So Let's be real,and if we lost with Brazil
was because the US head coach still an apprentice! he
should take some time off and go Inter and learn with
the "Special One" Jose Mourinho.
Donovan...don't be a cry baby! You right but blame
your bosses not David B.,and please what you really
want is to be a star on your team...true,just on your
team and at MLS,because you are to bad to play in
any REAL SOCCER TEAM!
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:44:33 GMT | Caverissimo
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Donovan correctly called Beckham's commitment - I think his wife wanted to live in the USA, and that is the main reason (the other being the easy money) he is here. And the majority of the blame should be on the management of the Galaxy for expecting more.....Donovan and the rest of the USA team showed this past week that they are catching up with the rest of the world and are ready to play with the big boys - and if you think otherwise, caverissimo, you are in for a big surprise within the next couple of years! Yes, the manager and the players are still a little green - but they are making strides, and every international match is giving them a little more confidence, as was shown in the Confederations Cup matches. They should have their best showing ever in the upcoming World Cup.
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:34:20 GMT | Angie43
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fairly obvious (and that is why it is so disconcerting)!!. He and his charming wife needed to make more $ (or so they think) and the US was making itself an attractive target . I think that Becks could not have gotten away with this if the management had made sure his ties were more bound. He literally got away with making the bucks without very much effort and being blatant about it as well. It's strange because football (soccer) has gotten more popular here amongst the youth (they play it in middle school quite a bit) but for some reason does not hit it up there with the MLB and the NFL. I believe the Beckhams should be in Europe where they want to be and we should pursue those who might not be models and stars but who want to really play the game.Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:09:47 GMT | mnhtn
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Definitely some jealousy. I am not a Beckham fan but not a Donovan fan either. Especially after watching the two goals for the FIFA Confed... Cup (US v Brazil) where I saw every player except the goalie and Donovan in the huddle celebrating that first goal and what looked like Donovan pointing to his chest saying "Me...Me...Me" for his goal. Not exactly leadership qualities himself or even being a great teammate.Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:11:42 GMT | zxcvbn
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The comments that Donovan (sub standard team leader) made should have been kept in the club house. How many times did Beckham feed Donovan excellent passe only to have him NOT finish off (Beckham didn't complain just played on). The feeds that he gives to Donovan would have been finished off if they were to European players. It's easy to talk big when the person you are talking about is on another continent. Just shut up and play ball Landon and finish off when you get excellent feeds. As far as the money is concerened who the hell is not going to accept it.Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:18:40 GMT | Gino64
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I agree with the person who wrote that he hopes Donovan addressed it face to face with Beckham, otherwise it's sniping. He is right in his opinion, but tell the man how you see it, and let him defend himself. Personally I don' t know why the US keeps bringing people here to popularize the sport. What's wrong with using the national team as inspiration? It will take a while for the game to catch on because here people perceive soccer as an elite sport. In all other places where it is popular, children play on the street, in the park, in the school yard, on the beach...you name it, and poor children can play because if they don't have a ball they make one. It doesn't require equipment; if you have a ball you play...barefoot and all. You don't need a soccer ball, just a ball. Forget the Beckhams and company and try to make the game interesting to all Americans, in schools and sports clubs. Beckham wants badly to return to the other side of the pond where soccer is king, so let him go. Maybe make him pay back the rest of the money and send him packing. And i agree, he came because his wife wants the Hollywood life. Enough already.Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:19:06 GMT | teej
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Football anyone......... American soccer is so lameFri, 03 Jul 2009 04:24:16 GMT | pup0726
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Angie43..You said " are ready to play with the big boys" and if I think otherwise I will get a big surprise in the next couple of years...I would love,but I'm not adreamer.
Our players are very good physically and also mentally
...BUT...2 other important things are being missed; one
is the Tactical issue and the other is the tecnical! If the
first one can be solved with a good coach (not the one
we have) the second one is the PROBLEM! Kid's with
4 and 5 years of age start to play soccer with expensive
cleats,shin pads and balls...when they should do it with
oranges,apples,plastic or other cheap soccer balls,they
should learn how to do a soccer ball,from old news papers,plastic bags,grass,etc,etc. They should be let be
free playing against each other without coaching interference...they must be free to be creative and not
being robots...this is something who should and must
be done ASAP...But soccer balls made from scrap do not "MOVING MONEY",that's the problem. Just some
names of NOT DONOVAN'S but REAL PLAYERS,who
used to play when children the way I just mentioned:
Garrincha,Zico,Falcao,Pele,Eusebio,DiStefano,Puskas,
Rossi,Maldini,Maradona,Ronaldo,Messi,Kaka,Cruiift,
Ronaldinho Gaucho,Romario,Cristiano Ronaldo...I
believe is enough for example...but the list is a lot,lot
longer. I think I made my point.
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:41:37 GMT | Caverissimo
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The fact of the matter is that soccer will never amount to __it in the USA no matter what overpaid European idiot you bring over! You can keep it and Beckham in Europe!Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:42:13 GMT | Reagan07
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Pot calling kettle black. If you have ever seen a Galaxy game, you know Donovan walks and whines for 90.Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:51:41 GMT | 18FAN
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The first thing who could be done was get a different namefor "football"...I stil doesn't understand why a game who is
played 95% with the HANDS was named football...and so,
the Real FOOTBALL lost his name...is okay call it soccer
or even the greatest sport in Earth! No time outs,no
stopping every 6 or 7 seconds...at least Ragbby is played with out pad's,that's a real man's game.
Just a question of taste.
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:56:13 GMT | Caverissimo
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Typical "woe is me", Donovan! Whine, whine, whine. It's always someone else's fault that he underachieves. He's certainly not the leader that the national team needs. Give us someone like McBride, talented, strong leadership skills, dedicated, uncomplaining....and patient!Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:15:40 GMT | vshy