Letters to the Editor

I feel the need to express myself as a self-proclaimed knowledgeable soccer fan, since Adam Cayton-Holland seemed to underestimate "our" knowledge of the beautiful game. First of all, Beckham has never been one of the top twenty players in the world. Even in his prime — if he ever had one — he was a soft, glass-ankled pretty boy. His debut for England back in 1996 was no doubt inspirational, and he's since been a leader in many instances — not as a well-rounded soccer player, but rather for his ability to play quality crosses and set pieces. Beckham did, without a doubt, reinvent the striking of a soccer ball and raised the bar for other soccer players. Consequently, many other well-rounded soccer players nowadays are able to strike the ball just as accurately and incorporate this into their arsenal of skills.

Beckham is the epitome of hype; it was just a matter of time before he moved in next door to Tom Cruise. He came here in hopes of promoting soccer but will do just the opposite. For true American soccer fans, and all hopeful fans, the Beckham effect has backfired, causing our image as soccer players to sink below the already diminutive status of fragile, wimpy athletes. Beckham only adds to the long list of botches by the MLS, but he could possibly be the final straw for a league that is only major in name.

Ramsey Brookhart
Del Camino