Bent Out Of Shape

Beckham's MLS Return Met With Boos In N.Y.

David Beckham's MLS season debut Thursday night shows what a vast difference two years can make. The 23,238 fans at Giants Stadium for the Galaxy’s 3-1 win over the Red Bulls had a typical Big Apple welcome for Beckham, booing him throughout his time on the pitch. This is a far cry from the near-capacity crowd at the Meadowlands that fawned over his every move during Beckham’s debut game in N.Y. in ’07. It remains to be seen how other MLS markets, especially the hometown fans in L.A., will greet Beckham this season, but it seems more apparent now than ever that the buzz created when Beckham first landed in the U.S. is a thing of the past. Becks again reiterates his commitment to developing soccer in the States, but is it too late for his breathtaking skills and Hollywood lifestyle to boost soccer's profile among a rather apathetic fan base domestically? And what kind of damage will Grant Wahl’s media tour promoting his new book have on the public reaction to Beckham’s return? Only time will tell.