Has David Beckham Improved the State of Soccer in the U.S.?

David Beckham was brought to Major League Soccer in 2007 to be an ambassador for the sport in the United States.

With his worldwide following, the Englishman was supposed to increase the popularity of the league both domestically and internationally as well as bring tons of success to his club—the Los Angeles Galaxy—and make them into the Real Madrid of North America.

But now, with Beckham about to finish his five-year deal with the LA Galaxy, has his presence in Major League Soccer helped change the league how everyone imagined?

Not necessarily.

There is no denying that MLS has grown into a better league during the five-year stint of David Beckham, but it didn’t grow or improve directly because of his arrival.

Sure, the extra publicity was nice for the league early on—it seemed like MLS was receiving Hollywood-style coverage in the media—but that quickly dissipated.

The revenue that MLS earned due to Beckham was also incredible, as was seen when his LA Galaxy jersey first hit the market.

But Beckham’s desire to still play in Europe during the early seasons of his contract with the LA Galaxy rubbed many fans the wrong way. The casual fans—who MLS was hoping to win over with Beckham's arrival—were fed up, and most went back to ignoring the league.

Those who remained were the fans that would have shown support with or without Beckham in MLS.

Nevertheless, Beckham’s attitude toward the league and his team changed—coincidentally, after a well-publicized book critiquing Beckham’s first years with the Galaxy.

With his attention turned toward Europe and the English national team, Beckham’s influence on the field was just as pitiful. Two years without a playoff appearance and uninspiring play marred his popularity among the American fans.

Eventually, he helped his team win silverware in 2009 but only a conference championship.

However, as time went on, Beckham played more deserving of his popularity, and the Galaxy would eventually win the 2011 MLS Cup.

ESPN analyst Alexi Lalas said that Beckham’s legacy would be defined at the 2011 MLS Cup—even though the 2011 final could be the last image most people see of the Englishman, playing with finesse, sacrificing his body with challenges and taking the extra step for his team.

The circus the Galaxy and MLS had to endure before Beckham would take the league seriously cannot be forgotten.

One championship cannot and should not erase five years of mediocrity and failure.

There should be some credit given to him, though. Beckham was influential in MLS approving its designated player rule—it was even nicknamed after him.

And his presence in the U.S. helped other European players take the trip across the Atlantic: Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Robbie Keane, Danny Koevermans, Trosten Frings, etc.

And during the latter half of his contract, Beckham did play beautifully.

But aside from Keane and Beckham, which of these players have brought success to their teams?

Henry has done well individually, but the New York Red Bulls just made the playoffs this past season and haven’t been successful beyond that. Ljunberg only stayed for a few season before leaving.

Even though Beckham has influenced and will continue to influence European stars trying their luck in MLS, none have cemented positions as great MLS players, and it’s hard to believe any will.

So, as previously mentioned, if Beckham didn’t influence the direct growth of MLS, what did?

Credit that to MLS itself and the very astute and intelligent growth it achieved over the past several years.

No one can prove that Beckham influenced Seattle selling out its games on a consistent basis. That city had been salivating for a team for years. The same goes for Portland, Philadelphia, Vancouver and Montreal.

It has been the fans in cities that love soccer that have helped MLS grow and succeed the way it has. It had nothing to do with Beckham, or any designated player for that matter.

This isn’t a slap to the face of the DP rule. The idea is great, and well received by everyone across the league. But what Beckham’s career in the United States has shown is that no one man can carry the league. Not even a small group of players can do that.

Has David Beckham improved the state of soccer in the United States?

No, he hasn’t.

But he has given people ideas about how to do so—how to grow the league and compete domestically and internationally.