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Op-Ed \ Andrew Rogers Confidence grows in American soccer.146 BC -- As the final day of his campaign drew to a close, Scipio Africanus stood watching Carthage burn. His face glowed with the fire of the setting sun and the flames of the city, but no smile of triumph crossed his lips. No gleam of victory shone from his eyes. Instead, the Roman general burst into tears. In the fading light of that dying city, Scipio saw the end of Rome itself. Just as Rome had destroyed others, so it would one day be destroyed. The great conqueror and extender of empires, saw the inexorable truth: no matter how mighty it may be, no nation, no empire, no culture is immortal. -- Polybius - 3rd Punic War SUNBURY ON THAMES, England (Thursday, April 13, 2006) -- With the announcement that Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy is to share a strategic alliance with England's Chelsea FC, United States soccer can give itself a well deserved pat on the back for developing a soccer product that can draw such admiring glances and courtship. Recent transactions, innovations and comments involving Red Bull, Chelsea and David Beckham, represent proof, if ever there was any required, as to how far American soccer has come in recent years and an indication to what direction it is headed in. The $100-million investment by drinks giant Red Bull into the MLS's New York-area franchise is truly visionary and highlights the long-term future of the game to be both promising and real. I also think over time we will come to see the size of the investment to be minor in relation to its future worth and status. To apply a context to the size to of the New York Red Bulls deal, when Alexandre Gaydamak recently invested $20 million in English Premier League club Portsmouth FC, this represented 50 percent of the organization, a guaranteed income from the league and media networks, sellout crowds most weeks, and highly-prized development land behind the ground. However, the idea and opportunity to build a world-class soccer side in New Jersey is ultimately far more captivating if one has the time, finance and expertise to develop it. With regard to Chelsea's alliance with the Galaxy, again it can only be good for U.S. soccer that it is in a position to attract such interest from the economic powerhouse of Europe. With Chelsea's global reach and recent links with the Chinese market, its association with L.A. can at the very least offer a greater level of exposure for one of the MLS's marquee franchises. Beckham, the Real Madrid and England star, recently reiterated comments he made in 2003 regarding his desire to play in the U.S. in the medium to long-term future. At a time when other major brands have moved into the market, his comments make sense. The media attention, finance and crowds he can draw are an attractive prospect to any football market. Furthermore, his athletic professionalism and family-man image are great examples for any aspiring soccer player. Europe's recent interest in the MLS conclusively shows how far the league has come. Eleven years ago, it did not have any crowds or teams. Now there are 12 franchises and attendances averaged 22,000 for the first weekend of matches. It is also in part responsible for a national team that currently sits fifth in the world. While certain U.S. soccer "aficionados" may feel its product does not match up to the European model, let it not be forgotten that the old world had over a 125 years to get it right and there were no competing sports products or skeptical media networks and audiences. Life might still not be idyllic in U.S. soccer and it could have to deal on a day-to-day basis with bigger and more dramatic stories from other sports franchises. However, if one looks at the bigger picture, the American public now has a league comparable with the second-tier English League Championship only 10 years after its inception and a national side that made the World Cup quarterfinals. And in Red Bull, Chelsea and David Beckham, it has three of the most prestigious brands fully aware of the country's soccer potential. Now imagine who will be interested and where the sport will be in 20 years from now.
Andrew Rogers, a regular contributor to the United Kingdom's League Paper and Non League Paper, lives in Sunbury on Thames in England. Formerly the director of communications for the Long Island (N.Y.) Rough Riders, he is a UEFA 'B" license coach and plays semi-professionally with Spelthorne FC. Do you have a comment on this story or something to say about soccer in general? Send us a letter. |
