First came the legendary Pelé in the mid-1970s for one final payday, opening the gate for international star power and raising the status of the league greatly. The Brazilian made the NASL one of the most popular leagues in the world. Now, more than 30 years later, David Beckham’s arrival will be even bigger for Major League Soccer. Although he’s not the player that Pelé was, the truth is, the David Beckham signing is more monumental than Pelé’s. Beckham comes to America in a far different situation than the aging Brazilian did. Beckham comes in the prime of his career. Beckham’s signing will transform the league more than any other player in the world could have.This is a different world and landscape then the one Pele walked into in 1975. David Beckham, living in a paparazzi-infested planet, is one of the icons of his generation and literally transcends sports. In an era of cable television, tabloids and instant access via the Internet, David Beckham has bridged the gulf of soccer to a nation that has embraced sports played with its hands only. David Beckham, though a fraction of the player that the legendary Pelé was, has far more name recognition in this country than the former Cosmos player had three decades ago when he signed with the team.This summer, however, Beckham will be taking on more then just MLS defenders. The United States is the most unique soccer country in the world. It’s perhaps the only place where the national team can be a visitor in its own stadium, where the sport is ridiculed. This all means that there is more to lose this time around. If Pelé came in and failed, soccer would have remained an anomaly and a curious experiment. When Pelé came to America, soccer was an unknown, barely a blip on the radar. Now, Beckham’s signing is perhaps soccer last great hope in this country. His success could well determine exactly how far MLS can go and thrive. The league now has reached the point of no return. With one big splash, expectations are high and they will only get higher. Like Pelé in the 1970s, you can’t go back after signing David Beckham.

Essa Madrahi