Photo by ISIphotos.com
We are three days removed from David Beckham's home season debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy, as well as the fan backlash that accompanied it, and it's still a bit mind-boggling that Beckham is really going to get away with his actions without so much as a slap on the wrist.
For those of you who missed it, Beckham approached Galaxy fans at halftime of the LA-AC Milan friendly on Sunday and clearly calls out a fan in the stands and invites him to come out of the stands. Beckham did so with anger on his face and little interest in actually having a chat with the fan. In fact, it isn't until after the fan is subdued by a gang of security guards that Beckham even puts the extended arm out (Has it ever taken more security guards to subdue someone wearing flip-flops? Just a thought). There was no, "Let him go guys", but more a "You fell for that one you clown" look on Beckham's face.
Now the fan is banned for life and Beckham didn't face so much as a disapproving sentence in the bland statement issued by Galaxy coach Bruce Arena about the incident. I suppose we should expect more from a club that still schedules its practices around Beckham's media appearances.
I was going to write about how Beckham should face punishment for his actions, but Ben Knight of Onward Soccer beat me to it, making a very good case for punishment for the Spice Boy. Let's be serious though, Beckham isn't going to be punished. That doesn't mean he shouldn't be.
Here are some more observations and notes on a laid-back soccer Wednesday:
Onyewu ready to give U.S. fans reason to celebrate
When Oguchi Onyewu takes the field for AC Milan tonight in its friendly against Club America, he will become the first second U.S. national team field player to suit up for one of the top clubs in one of Europe's top three leagues (Jonathan Spector being the first with Manchester United in 04/05). The symbolism won't be lost on U.S. fans who will finally have someone they can call their own among the world's elite.
Yes, Tim Howard paved the way during his tenure as a starting goalkeeper for Manchester United, but Onyewu's move to Milan signals something else. It shows an American player other than a goalkeeper playing with the world's best.
There is plenty of pressure on Onyewu, not only from the club that just signed him, but also from the fans who are counting on him to represent this country well and blaze a trail for American players to follow. Something tells me he's up to the challenge.
Long road back for Busch
Pop quiz: Who was the back-up goalkeeper to Kasey Keller in the U.S. national team's 2-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Easter of 2005? The answer? Jon Busch.
More than four years ago Busch was enjoying a stellar MLS career with the Columbus Crew and was starting to get national team looks. A torn knee ligament cost him most of the 2005 and 2006 MLS seasons before he spent 2007 as a back-up with the Chicago Fire. In 2008, Busch enjoyed a stellar comeback year, being named MLS goalkeeper of the year and earning his first national team call-up in almost four years last January.
Busch will be back on the U.S. squad for Thursday's Gold Cup semifinal and while he isn't likely to start, the fact that he's worked his way back onto the national team radar screen speaks volumes about the scrappy 33-year old.
Arnoux to go pro
A year after losing potential draftees Marcus Tracy and Mike Grella to Europe, MLS looks set to lose out on another top prospect.
Sources tell SBI that Wake Forest forward Cody Arnoux is preparing to bypass his final year of eligibility to pursue a professional career in Europe. An All-American who led Wake Forest in goals last season with 17, Arnoux is said to also be working on securing an Italian passport through family, which would make a move abroad easier. Everton has been mentioned as one of the clubs interested.
Arnoux has spent the summer playing for the PDL's Carolina Dynamo.