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I am a huge soccer fan and first generation Canadian, with my entire family originating in the UK. Thus, I am an England supporter and avid Manchester United fan, so I am fairly versed in most things Beckham. That said, I find it very curious to read articles where he is referred to as "the former world's best soccer player", etc. etc. Sure, he strikes a mean free kick, but he's not and never has been in my humble opinion, in the stratusphere of the world's top footballers. He was never close to that lofty height.

Interestingly, I would however suggest that he's a brilliant marketer and perhaps closer to being a top business person than soccer player. To suggest he will "save" the MLS suggests that the league is in need of a saviour. I don't believe the league is in serious trouble yet. But I can put this forward from real world experience.

I live near Toronto and the Toronto FC franchise is the newest in the MLS. Before the announcement that Beckham had joined the Galaxy, roughly 2,000 season tickets were sold. Shortly after the announcement, the club was no longer selling anymore, they'd reached their maximum of 15,000 or so, and single game ticket sales are all that are left. The team has the second highest season ticket subscriber level in the entire league, and they haven't stepped on the field to play their first match yet. Entirely attributable to the Beckham signing? No. But it certainly didn't hurt.

I don't think David will save the league, but I think he will definitely send it to new heights of popularity. The fans seem to want to spend it like Beckham to see him play.

Learn more about this author, Rob Terry.
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