David Beckham deserves to be applauded for the way he has raised
football's profile across the United States.
That is the verdict of Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden, who
has arrived at the Reebok Stadium following a successful spell with
Houston Dynamo.
While the Aberdeen-born player is adjusting to life in
England, Beckham is getting ready to face his former club
Manchester United for the first time.
Now 34, Beckham is hoping to figure for AC Milan on Tuesday
when they face Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the Champions League at
the San Siro.
Beckham is having a second loan spell at the Italian club
from Los Angeles Galaxy and Holden has seen at first hand the
remarkable job the England midfielder continues to do in MLS.
Beckham arrived in California in the summer of 2007, signing
a five-year deal after leaving Real Madrid.
Holden said: "He brought a buzz to the game. When you think
of the world's most famous players, he's probably right at the top
of that list.
"His influence at the Galaxy was immense. He sold season
tickets, merchandise and shirts when he first arrived, but didn't
really inspire many results on the field.
"But last season they saw success and made it to the cup
final. He brought a lot of exposure to football in the States.
"While everyone knows it's not the main sport there,
hopefully it will be soon.
"The league has a certain infrastructure which is working
now. There have been attempts to have professional soccer over
there in the past but they went about things in the wrong way."
Holden believes Beckham's influence is far-reaching.
He said: "People underestimate the league. The standard is
getting better. The whole thing is really getting going and I
honestly think that one day it will be right up there with some of
the best leagues in the world.
"It is the most played sport at youth level. The trick is to
keep the kids interested when they have gone through the system.
"It helps by having academies and, through people like
Beckham, having more of a buzz right throughout the sport.
"There will be two more teams in the MLS next year and I can
only see that growing and growing in the future."
