MLS Cup 2011 - Beckham's Finale

While most of America is deeply focused on their fantasy football teams this fall, the Major League Soccer season is drawing to a close with the Cup Final this Sunday in Los Angeles (9 pm Eastern). I've been guilty of neglecting MLS for most of the year for a variety of reasons, but the MLS Cup this year signifies a few milestone events that are worth throwing up on this blog.

1. David Beckham's last game in MLS

No event in MLS history created more publicity for the league than the 5 year, $250 million contract signed by Beckham, thought to be the largest sports contract in history. In reality, the press release and subsequent news coverage likely exaggerated the sum by quite a lot, but the ends justified the means as the news put MLS on the map. Casual sports fans don't know a lot of soccer players, but most know Beckham, and he became a must-see phenomenon for a league that suddenly seemed more serious and competitive.

Unfortunately, his early career in MLS went poorly, as he only made a few appearances due to injury in his first year, and they didn't go well. He was loaned to AC Milan of Italy's Serie A for the next year and a half, creating some resentment among LA fans who probably expected to see him as part of their season ticket plans. Midway through year 3, he returned healthy, and helped the Galaxy reach the MLS Cup, which they lost to Real Salt Lake.

As the season drew to a close, he rejoined Milan for the winter, but suffered a torn Achilles that caused him to miss the rest of Milan's season and almost all of the 2010 MLS season. The following winter he trained with Tottenham Hotspur of England's Premier League, and though rumors swirled that they'd acquire Beckham on loan, the Galaxy grew a pair and blocked the move, desiring just 1 full season of the $250 million man.

It was one heck of a year though. He helped the Galaxy with 2 goals and 15 assists on their way to the best record in the league, as well as a Comeback Player of the Year award and a shot at the Cup. All very good things, but the real question is: did he have an impact on interest in MLS?


2. MLS sets all-time attendance record in 2011

Red Bull Arena

Up 6.6% this year alone, MLS attendance has finally beat the average attendance it achieved in its inaugural season. It's probably not fair to say that it's all Beckham's doing, but he did have an effect on the league that goes beyond his own play. His signing with LA paved the way for other big name stars to join the league, like Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane, and Rafael Marquez, and the league has benefited from their presence as many would agree that the quality of play has improved tremendously over a decade ago. Increased investment in the league has led to teams building brand new, soccer-specific facilities and founding soccer academies. And yet...


3. The league still has a long ways to go

To retain the momentum of this past year, MLS has to do a few things...

• Gain international respectability - Despite the strides to date, the league isn't respected for its growth of international quality players. New U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann spoke candidly about the league, stating that it's "not competitive with the rest of the world." While the quality of play has increased, most hear the words of this guy who has won World Cups and European titles and admit that he's right. The season has to be longer so that players in the U.S. play just as much as players elsewhere.
• Join the rest of the soccer universe - I'm baffled at how MLS won't allow its transfer windows to align with leagues elsewhere around the world. Let's make it easier to acquire new talent rather than harder, yeah? This is particularly important since the league is expanding so quickly, meaning the ability to acquire players is vital to avoid league-wide talent dilution.
• Focus even more on soccer academies - If the U.S. is ever to challenge other countries on the international stage, MLS teams need to invest heavily in academies. In other countries, it's the clubs that spearhead talent development, but for decades in the U.S. it's been national soccer organizations like the U.S.S.F. and U.S. Youth Olympic Development Program. These organizations have limited funding. In contrast, clubs can invest in talent development and see much more of a return on investment as they reap the ticket sales/TV revenue from improved quality of play. Therefore, as MLS teams increase their revenues, it's imperative that they lead the way on building respected academies to improve the quality of players domestically.