bear with me:

the major indoor soccer league (MISL) has done anything and everything to try to get americans to support their league. and nobody cares about a long boring game with no scoring.

their latest ploy is the signing od david beckham, an interrnationally known star who just happens to have an internationally known wife: posh spice (victoria beckham)

tonight on TV there is actually a show called "victoria beckham's trip to america" which follows her on journey to relocate here while husband plays soccer in los angeles.

also, a spice girls reunion just happens to be in the works.

my theory is that the MISL is behind all of this, financing every bit of it from beckham's contract to the TV show to the spice girls reunion. it is their last gasp. if this doesn't get interst in soccer in the U.S. they just might hve to give it up. beckham was on TV last night already making excuses, telling people not to expect him score 2 or 3 goals a game because it just doesn't happen that way.

am i way off base on this?

too oliver stone?

renny the skeptic

Does the MISL even have the money to finance all this?

i really don't know, but they have been around for a while, somebody has the money to keep it going this long.

renny

I'm sick of having all this hype shoved down our throats. I know there are many soccer fans out there, but in my opinion it just doesn't work in the US. I was in elementary school in the 70s and they started having us play soccer because it "was going to take over here". I doubted it then and now. I will admit that at least here there are thousands of kids in soccer leagues and they love it, but when it comes to watching it on tv that's when the love affair seems to end. I think there will be a curiosity factor during his first game here, but if he doesn't score, the bloom will be off the rose for many people and they will find other entertainment.

I had the same issues with the WNBA being shoved down our throats when it first started. I have no issue with the existence of the league itself. If there is a market for women's professional basketball, then I'm all for it. I just resented the way they ruined the men's All Star Game by taking away the dunk contest and suddenly incorporating the women athletes into the mens event with 3 ball and the 3 point shooting contest. Keep in mind that I think the All Star Game is a joke and I'm no fan of the NBA in its current form, but at that particular time I was still watching it somewhat.

haha I just have a problem with overhype in general.

I love football, baseball and hockey - but soccer just bores me senseless. It seems that's the way most American sports fans feel also. If Pele couldn't put soccer over the top here - Beckham has no chance. Most of the people who are interested in the Beckhams are the Entertainment Tonight/Access Hollywood/People Magazine crowd. I think it has very little to do with American sports fans.

I'd actually rather see a Spice Girls concert than an L.A. Galaxy game.

Update:

My wife just had me watch this Beckham TV special. I sat through 15 minutes and just had to leave the room.

I now hope their entire American experience is a disaster.

Hey now-I played soccer and love it. I was at the World Cup in 1994 and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever been too-and I've been to the Olympics (not as a participant, though if they ever get any Nerf sports in, I'm there).
I fondly remember the old NASL and how the Cosmos used to play in front of 50,000-80,000 at Giants Stadium each year (having Pele and Chinalgia helped).
I understand people saying it's boring to see a 1-0 game but to me it's all about the strategy and the skill. I love the game.
Also, Renny it's NOT the MISL-that's indoor soccer and not the same thing in the least. You probably don't care, but that's like calling the NFL Arena Football. The MISL is just a silly indoor game which has been around since the late 70's but it's cheesy nonetheless.
This is MSL (Major League Soccer) and it's developed into a very solid league. It will never be the 4th sport sadly, but the NHL better wtahc out with their TV ratings worse than an-all nude tribute to Don Knotts.
I'm excited Beckham is here, but he's past his prime and already injured. He'll be great eventually and it will help soccer for a while (kids still have soccer as the #1 sport), but he's not going to be the savior. He's also the best playmaker in the world-he will score goals, but that's not actually what he does best. And, it is true, nobody bends it like Beckham.
As for his wife-who the hell cares?
The Spice Girls are Menudo with boobs and a joke and I wouldn't doubt that you're right Renny that a provision was that MLS hype Posh's show and the Spice Girls reunion.
So, be a skeptic if you must-you won't be alone, but I'll be watching!

Someone really needs to keep a list of your "Pedestrianisms." They're pure gold!

I thought this thread was going to be about the theory of the third spitter (remember Seinfeld?).

Someone really needs to keep a list of your "Pedestrianisms." They're pure gold!

Well, Ven, I try. A bizarre sense of humor is a good thing to have I've always thought. Hey, maybe that Don Knotts tribute is on the way some day!
By the way, I am trying like hell to convince my wife to go to Anchorage for our anniversary. Not a big deal normally-but I want to go when the Great Alaska Shootout basketball tournament takes place which as you know is in late November (also when we married years ago).
She says I'm nuts, I say it would be awesome to be in Alaska when it's cold but not frigid. Anyone can go in the summer, right? How bad would it be at that time of year, and would hotels be easy to get or difficult due to the tournament?
Thanks for any help!

November is a crapshoot. Some years it's bitter cold and/or snowing like mad; other years it's rainy and moderately cool. You'd have to be prepared for either, I suppose. I can't imagine there being any difficulty finding accommodations that time of year, even with the Shootout, but honestly I've never looked into it. What I would be worried about are the flights -- with both the Shootout and Thanksgiving, finding reasonably-priced seats may not be easy.

Alaska is beautiful, in different ways of course, all year 'round. If you and Mrs. Pedestrian do decide to come, let me know -- I may be able to some preliminary checking into lodging options for you.

Ven:
Believe me-if we're coming, I'll let you know. I've lost a few years in a row on this one, so I'm bound to win eventually right? Yeah, right. But, I'll try and keep you updated!

I bet Ven has seen some skeeters (mosquitos) up there in the Summer that are big enough to put a saddle on 'em and ride. Invisible Pedestrian, you should keep working on your wife on this and remind her that November is a great month to not have to deal with the skeeters. Now, the bears on the other hand...(just kidding). LOL!

I'd watch as long as it didn't include Aunt Bea or Goober.

I bet Ven has seen some skeeters (mosquitos) up there in the Summer that are big enough to put a saddle on 'em and ride. Invisible Pedestrian, you should keep working on your wife on this and remind her that November is a great month to not have to deal with the skeeters. Now, the bears on the other hand...(just kidding). LOL!

Good point Steve-I can also point out (probably correctly) that going to Alaska in the summer is more expensive than November. Plus, she loves bears, so provided we don't get eaten by one, that should be a selling point!
Also, how bizarre would it be to finally meet a board member-but it would be perhaps the farthest meeting of them all-New Jersey to Alaska? Would that be the furthest-if I go and if I was able to meet up with Ven? I'd be shocked if it wasn't!

Well...thing is, I met up with Jay in Atlanta last month. Still, anyone being able to meet up with me is noteworthy!

Wow-Ven, that's awesome you came all the way out here! Not sure if NJ is further than Atlanta but I think it might be. By the way, at dinner tonight the wife was slightly more receptive to the idea but finances may preclude this anyway. Still, the effort continues...

American soccer needs something new and exciting to make it work. I propose they add land mines and other dangers to the game. People will tune in. And with the amazing advances in medicine the players can be back in no time. New artificial sports limbs and everything.