Because Its David Beckham

It would be a vast understatement to say that there is a frenzy surrounding David Beckham's arrival to Los Angeles and, to the soccer minded, the MLS, specifically the LA Galaxy.

No one has been hesitant, even at home, to hate on Beckham's arrival. The foreign press, specifically the English, have been relentless with Beckham's decision, and after the walloping that the Galaxy took the other night against the Mexican Tigres, losing 3-0.

Although, not to be too cynical, the English National squad has faced many defeats similar to what the Galaxy experienced (the English squad failed to even qualify in the 1994 World Cup), but no one would accuse - at least as steadily - the English national team of being a "pub team" which the English media have dubbed the Galaxy.

Its a puzzle as to why people are such haters on Beckham, just generally. Certainly Stateside, no one seems to understand what a major athlete David Beckham truly is - and what he has overcome (again, lets be reminded of the always understanding British after the 1998 World Cup) and bounced back from, to become the power athlete that he is.

The press has had a field day with Beckham in America - if its not his wife, its his hair, if its not soccer's lack of persuasion in America, its soccer's low caliber play, if its not how bad the MLS is a a league, its how dismal the Galaxy is as a team. Its always something and its getting old.

Everyone knows Beckham cannot walk on water and that he isn't even going to try for the Galaxy. Certainly he wants to promote the beautiful game in America so that more people a) know about it and b) watch it but he is also just here to play football, like he's done a million times before. He cannot save the LA Galaxy from drowning themselves and in reality, no one player can carry an entire team for an entire season and David Beckham is probably not going to try - because he knows its impossible.

But because its David Beckham, everyone wants to take a shot and America's triumph and incredible coup in getting David Beckham to the states is beginning to become its biggest obstacle. But don't put it past Beckham to prove everyone wrong, just like he did when Capello benched him from the Real Madrid squad, and months later, Capello ate his words (and probably got fired for it) when he reluctantly put Beckham back on the pitch, and Beckham helped lead Real to the La Liga Championship title. If the Galaxy can get its own problems worked out, David Beckham will have his work cut out for him but he cannot do it alone and without improvement in team play, strategy, and coaching, Beckham's hands are essentially tied.