Which designated player has made the biggest impact in MLS this year?
seachickenhawk said 10/03, 05:46 PM
Simply put. David Beckham has made the biggest impact. Beckham???s impact hasn???t been on the field, but rather, at the box office. Attendance throughout the league, especially for Galaxy matches increased greatly, bringing in an immediate influx of cash to the league and the individual teams. Marketing plans throughout the league (for individual teams) centered on Beckham, bringing fans out of the woodwork for the chance to see a true worldwide superstar.
If not for Beckham???s desire to play in the United States, the league likely would not have adopted the designated player rule and teams would still be regularly drawing less than 15,000 fans per game with sub par play on the field. As of last week, the league was averaging over 16,000 fans per match, a number that hasn???t been seen since the inaugural season of 1996. These numbers have been spurred on simply by the possibility of Beckham showing up to play.
Because of Beckham, 66,000+ fans filled Giants Stadium to see a tremendous match (5-4 for the Red Bulls over LA).
Other players have had a tremendously positive impact on the league, but for the sheer size of impact, no one compares to David Beckham.
Keeper said 10/03, 06:28 PM
Good point, but you know who won that match for the Red Bulls? It was Juan Pablo Angel, the most impactful on the field player in the league. I think he has a legit chance at MVP and he deserves it. In almost every match they play, he seems to step up and he is without a doubt the most consistent player on the field for his team every match. If the Red Bulls make the playoffs, it will be because of one man, the most impactful player in the MLS this year, Juan Pablo Angel.
seachickenhawk said 10/03, 08:08 PM
You???re absolutely correct about Angel. He's made a tremendous difference on the field...but for ONE club. What Angel does (or anyone except maybe Blanco), has virtually no effect on the rest of the league.
With Beckham, although he hasn't done anything on the field (except for three assists in NY and stellar play in other games), he has brought the MLS to the forefront of the sporting conversation in this country. Media outlets throughout the country are covering games and interest is growing throughout. The MLS actually SOLD the rights to games for the first time in its history instead of buying time. ESPN is having higher ratings for soccer matches than ever before.
No Beckham, No Buzz.
It may seem like a circus act (and to a point it is), but this circus sells tickets, advertising and brings in the cash. Something that Angel could never do on his own for the MLS.
Keeper said 10/04, 06:27 AM
I don't really think that is true. It is a circus and there is big buzz, but before Beckham came, the Red Bull's star striker carried the league and the team. He was the face of the DP, and everyone knew it would be great after he showed what he could do. Yes, I know that he can't get near as much pub. as Becks, but he has attracted some this season. I bet more New Yorkers actually care about soccer now that Angel is in New York. They realize how good he is and that he is the most impactful DP.
seachickenhawk said 10/04, 04:30 PM
The influence of Beckham didn't start only when he showed up, but rather when the Galaxy announced in January, before the season started. Immediately, season ticket sales spiked for all teams. People who wouldn't normally follow soccer, suddenly were experts. Suddenly, you couldn't go anywhere and not see or hear of the MLS.
David Beckham's presence has brought the MLS closer to the front of the sporting conversation in this country andat the least brought more fans. Fans = $'s and $'s = a better MLS for all.
Keeper said 10/05, 07:00 AM
Experts, yeah right. More half the people I've talked about Becks to don't know squat about soccer or Beckham. If they knew anything, they would realize that Juan Pablo Angel is has had the most impact on the MLS this year.
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Comments (23)
Man, I wish Liverpool had put up a fight like your putting up right now. They just rolled over and died for about 89 minutes. Then they realized they had to attack, and they couldn't score. I am very angry with them. Only one point through one match in the UEFA Champions League. That is terrible!
Keeper | 10/03/07, 06:37 PM
Report Offensive CommentMan, I wish Liverpool had put up a fight like your putting up right now. They just rolled over and died for about 89 minutes. Then they realized they had to attack, and they couldn't score. I am very angry with them. Only one point through two matches in the UEFA Champions League. That is terrible!
Keeper | 10/03/07, 06:38 PM
Report Offensive CommentLETS GO REDS......LETS GO REDS.......LETS GO REDS.......LETS GO REDS............Manchester United FA Cup Champ's, European Champs, oh yea and EPL Champ's. F- Liverpool.
Cankles | 10/03/07, 06:41 PM
Report Offensive Commentoh yeah on a real note....Nice TD chicken, I like the MLS topic, don't see to many of them. I can't believe Joze Altidore was not mentioned or possibly Fred? Oh well just a few ideas.
Cankles | 10/03/07, 06:43 PM
Report Offensive CommentFred and Altidore aren't designated players. Altidore hasn't produced, but I do agree that Fred is a machine. He and Luciano Emilio have really done a great job with the DC United.
Keeper | 10/03/07, 06:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentJaun Pablo Angel came in and did great, hard to argue that.... Middle of the season i think and still has a ton of goals...
Billie Joe Armstrong | 10/03/07, 07:38 PM
Report Offensive CommentI give a donkey butt...
Billie Joe Armstrong | 10/03/07, 07:42 PM
Report Offensive CommentJack Bauer... WATCH OUT!!!
Billie Joe Armstrong | 10/03/07, 07:42 PM
Report Offensive CommentAngel and Blanco will dominate the top scorers list next year
The Waiting Game | 10/03/07, 07:52 PM
Report Offensive CommentIs impactful a word? Just wondering.
DJTG_2010: USAIN BOLT! | 10/03/07, 08:13 PM
Report Offensive Commentwhere is blanco? isnt he the one actually doing good?
the big poop | 10/03/07, 09:07 PM
Report Offensive CommentAmanda I concede you are the most annoying
Larry B | 10/03/07, 09:51 PM
Report Offensive CommentNo, but it should be.
Keeper | 10/04/07, 06:20 AM
Report Offensive CommentBeckham is easily the most obvious (and correct) answer. My vote is to seachickenhawk - good TD guys.
mattymattz | 10/04/07, 08:40 AM
Report Offensive CommentYeah, I agree w/ "the big poop". Chicago's Blanco came into the league about the same time as Beckham, went unnoticed, but did 100x more than Beckham has done on the pitch (off the pitch you may have another argument).
PackBrew42 MrRodgersHood | 10/04/07, 09:55 AM
Report Offensive CommentYeah, I agree w/ "the big poop". Chicago's Blanco came into the league about the same time as Beckham, went unnoticed, but did 100x more than Beckham has done on the pitch (off the pitch you may have another argument).
PackBrew42 MrRodgersHood | 10/04/07, 09:55 AM
Report Offensive CommentI thought about Blanco and I think he's probably been the best DP since arriving ON THE FIELD. But his impact is still second to Beckham in the whole scope of things.
seachickenhawk | 10/04/07, 12:16 PM
Report Offensive CommentSoccer? Isn't that the game played by kids who can't make a real sports team in middle school?
Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox | 10/05/07, 08:00 AM
Report Offensive CommentBlanco scored a goal in his first game against Celtic with a majority of their starters in at that point. Celtic doesn't have a defense, so I don't how big of a deal that is, but he did score a goal against the best team in Scotland.
IrishR#1: USA! USA! USA! | 10/05/07, 08:36 AM
Report Offensive CommentBlanco scored a goal in his first game against Celtic with a majority of their starters in at that point. Celtic doesn't have a defense, so I don't how big of a deal that is, but he did score a goal against the best team in Scotland.
IrishR#1: USA! USA! USA! | 10/05/07, 08:36 AM
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