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David Beckham coming to MLS!

Yahoo Sports

Link to article

MLS Fire make pitch to land Zidane
AFP
January 24, 2007

CHICAGO (AFP) - French star Zinedine Zidane, whose legendary career ended with an infamous head-butt in last year's World Cup final, has received a comeback offer from the Chicago Fire, a US newspaper reported.

Fire general manager John Guppy told the Chicago Tribune newspaper that his team and rivals from Major League Soccer have been in touch with the playmaker in hopes of luring him out of retirement, but all bids have been rejected.

"We reached out to Zidane," Guppy said. "But so has every other MLS club. The feedback we've all gotten is that he has retired."

Guppy said the Fire also made an offer to local product Brian McBride, a US World Cup standout who Guppy said will likely remain with Fulham of the English Premiership.

"We offered Brian a contract," Guppy said. "He said he would love to play in Chicago but needed to consider his options."

Guppy also said a bid also failed for Swedish forward Henrik Larsson, currently on loan with Manchester United.

The team is likely to look for a Polish or Mexican player to appeal to city ethnic groups that have been major supporters of the Fire.

*****

The last paragraph shows a strategy that Toronto FC could pursue, considering how many soccer-mad ethnic groups live in this city.
 
Getting all these retired players in the MLS will inevitably stereotype the MLS as a second rate league where players from the big leagues go to die.

The MLS should focus on retaining North American players on the continent.
 
You knew it was going to happen. I'd like to watch Zidane play, but I agree that it will probably make the league look like a retirement haven. I wonder who TO will aquire with the new beckham-rule...is Bobby Charlton still around?
 
Just think of the marketing potential if Zidane came over to play.

Little kids would be head butting each other throughout the game in the stands.
 
Beckham likely to debut in Toronto
February 06, 2007
MORGAN CAMPBELL
Sports Reporter
The countdown to David Beckham's arrival in Toronto has begun - 180 days.

Major League Soccer released its schedule Tuesday, and English soccer superstar David Beckham - who recently signed a five-year contract worth a reported $250 million (U.S.) with the Los Angeles Galaxy - will make his Toronto debut on Sunday Aug. 5 when his new team visits Toronto FC.

It might also be Beckham's first regular season MLS game.

Beckham won't join the Galaxy until after his contract with Spain's Real Madrid expires in June. The Galaxy host Kansas City on July 7 before beginning a month-long all star break. They have three exhibitions scheduled for July before resuming their schedule in Toronto.

"Adjustments were made to maximize David Beckham joining Galaxy in mid-July," said Dan Courtemanche, MLS' senior vice president of communications and marketing. "There was no major upheaval to ensure every team will have the Galaxy at home after mid-July."

As if Beckham's visit weren't a big enough event in itself the game takes place on the same holiday weekend as the annual Caribana festival.

Toronto FC opens the regular season on April 7 against the league's other L.A.-based team, Chivas USA. The last of their 15 home games will take place Oct. 20 against the New England Revolution.

with files from AP

www.thestar.com/printArticle/178667
 
I can recall the whole Pele phenomenon that took place while I was a kid in Montreal. The Autostade, a temporary stadium, was packed to the gills - including thousands of gate-crashers. I recall the whole event and feel quite lucky to have seen the man play live.

Maybe Beckham will help to light up even more interest in the sport.
 
He already has. Will it last beyond a couple of years is the question.
 
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