David Beckham: Top 10 Memorable Moments

David Beckham has been quoted saying, “People don't think I've got the brains to be that clever.”  He's also said, “The spotlight will always be on me, but it's something I'm learning to live with as the years go by.”That's wistful, and wishful thinking in the age of nano. But let it be. He's had a great career.  Could we say he's the Joe Montana of European football?  Or the Cal Ripkin, Jr.?  Or the Larry Bird.Not since Pele has someone so glamorized this sport in America.  Plus he's modern.  Call him Metro-Rex. Plus he's Caucasian, although in that way, not modern at all. He's the white man still jumping. Soon to be a throw-back, a reminder.   In round ball social circles, he is Dr. Jekyll to Wayne Rooney's Mr. Hyde. And speaking of size eight boots, he's no Charlie Miller singing sectarian ballads. Not a pub brawler. He's Mr. Clean.    He's also no Messi.But can he recast himself?  Has he got a second act?  Does it matter.  Is it best to just let him live on in YouTubeville.  Be the simple spice jock. Let's raise a toast to the goal from 70 yards out. Two actually.Or should he be expected ...

Landon Donovan Will Not Go Back To Europe: Second Of Eleven Predictions For 2011

It’s that dreary, old American rhythm: build somebody up; tear them down.  And then once they’re down, demand a comeback. No comeback, no legend. No ticky, no laundry.  And who better to tear down these days than “Landy Cakes” Donovan, in 1999 the doe- eyed wunderkind at Bayer Leverkusen, now a decade later, a 29-year-old divorced white male who said recently after his latest return from Europe, and his decision not to return to Everton:  “I need to rest and recover…. I’m tired.” Tired?  Why the hell is he tired? After all the accolades, after all the bowing and scraping to his princeness, after that hail-mary-mother-of-god goal in South Africa, why you’d think he’d still be running on Nitro. Or has he had enough of European foul play?  Was it just too tough in the end…. Hey bartender, get me another Rooney. Or better, have you got some Zidane? If Zidane is at one end of a spectrum, Donovan is at the other.  Hence the argument that if you want to win a World Cup these days you don’t need babies found floating down the Nile in Adidas bags, you don’t need prodigies, you need boys from immigrant back streets, ...

Freddy Adu Will Be Back: The First Of Eleven Predictions For 2011

Here’s an old prediction, now recast for 2011:  This will be Freddy Adu’s comeback year. His critics insist Adu is finished, barely a journeyman, and his latest gig is proof.  He has been practicing, without a contract, with FB Randers, now in 10th place out of 12 teams in the Danish super liga.   Of course you could argue that at 21 Adu is still a hugely successful soccer player.  He’s made millions from big time sponsors, including Nike; he’s played for great teams, including the US National team; he’s scored deciding goals; been a reliable playmaker, and last year had a good run with Aris Salonika FC, the leading club in Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki. But in an age when success is a hangman’s scaffold and anyone who gets to the top must come down the trap door, Adu is portrayed as the prodigy who didn’t deliver on a promise. For those who don’t know the promise here’s a recap.   Adu comes from the Ghanaian port city of Tema, a teeming suburb of Accra. It’s here that four-year-old Fredua Koranteng becomes a sassy street star.  He might have remained invisible but his mother wins the Green Card Lottery, moves to America. At 12, he’s allowed to skip ...