Beckham not there just for kicks

Everything you ever needed to know about international soccer icon David Beckham's popularity could be learned in 12 combined seconds of two conversations Sunday at the Metrodome.

Becky Roering and her son, Jesse, were in prime seats more than an hour before the start of Copa Minnesota, a match featuring Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy and the local Minnesota Thunder, which drew an announced crowd of 20,123. While attendance at the match, which had been only recently rescheduled after a Beckham injury wiped out an initial Oct. 10 date, fell below organizers' initial expectations, no one appeared disappointed.

"I think he's a great role model for the kids," said Roering, from Lino Lakes. "And," she added, "he's hot."

A few seats away and a few minutes earlier, Matt Gralinski, 11, a soccer player from Mahtomedi clad in a No. 23 L.A. Galaxy jersey, explained why he likes Beckham.

"I just like how good he is," Gralinski said. "And," he added, "his cologne smells really good."

Roering and Gralinski have tapped into the fundamental reason Beckham, 32, is a worldwide celebrity instead of just a famous athlete, and why his appearance in the Twin Cities was about more than just soccer to many people.

He's part soccer legend, part pop-culture figure. The midfielder's decision in January to join the Galaxy -- leaving Real Madrid and Europe for big money in Major League Soccer, the top U.S. league -- was hailed as the move MLS needed to gain credibility and recognition. But he's equally known for his marriage to Victoria Beckham (aka Posh Spice from the Spice Girls), his marketing appeal (such as the aforementioned cologne that bears his name), his effect on style (if you don't like the faux hawk haircut, blame Beckham for its spread) and, well, his good looks.

Fans at the Dome on Sunday -- for a match that ended in a 1-1 score at the end of regulation play with the Galaxy winning 3-2 in a shootout -- seemed to cover all the bases, landing squarely into three basic camps: youth fans/players who idolize Beckham on multiple levels; general sports fans seizing on a perhaps once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Beckham spectacle up close, and soccer purists who were excited to see Beckham and his comrades playing the Beautiful Game at a high level.

The young Beckham idolizers were easier to spot pre-match, with their signs (Bangu Girls Love Beckham, etc.) and identical shirts. Others, including Jeff Huebner, 16, of St. Louis Park, were among the many Beckham jersey wearers prevalent throughout the Dome, from the cheapest seats ($15) to the most expensive ($125).

"Beckham is the main attraction," said Huebner, 16. "I was online right away as soon as I got home from school the first day to buy tickets."

The spectacle-seekers showed themselves en masse whenever Beckham -- with his now closely shorn hair -- was near the ball. They oohed and aahed while peppering the Dome with the constant twinkle of camera flashes. Some brought signs that had nothing to do with soccer. (One of Roering's said, "Wannabe Beckham Bride," a tip of the cap to the soccer star's looks and a Spice Girls song.)

Soccer purists had plenty of eye candy as well in a match filled with crisp action. In addition to Beckham, the Galaxy features Landon Donovan, who on any other team would be the star attraction. The Thunder, which plays in the United Soccer Leagues First Division -- a league one step below MLS -- gave the Galaxy all it could handle, drawing even in the second half and nearly taking the lead.

Beckham was credited with an assist on the Galaxy's goal, a close-range shot by Edson Buddle in the seventh minute. Beckham had an opportunity on one of his patented bending free kicks from 30 yards out midway through the first half, but his shot was partially deflected and stopped. He also showed some of the deft touch that led England to recall him to its national team recently. In fact, Beckham, who played 73 minutes, was scheduled to leave for England shortly after Sunday's match.

Matt Gralinski was in attendance with his brother Adam, 8, and father, Maciek, 37. The boys' dad is originally from Poland. Sitting next to Maciek was Julio Fesser, a native of Spain. Both are avid fans of European soccer and said Beckham has made them pay more attention to MLS this season.

"We're a couple of old-time football guys," Fesser said.

Added Maciek Gralinski: "Soccer is all we did. There's only one sport."

Sunday's match was originally scheduled for Oct. 10 and was rescheduled because of an injury to Beckham. The Thunder officially announced the rescheduled date about three weeks ago, giving the club scant time to promote the match -- perhaps part of the reason attendance fell below the club's original expectations. Thunder president Manny Lagos said in May he anticipated attendance for this match besting the 46,000-plus fans who watched Pele's New York Cosmos face the Kicks at Metropolitan Stadium in 1976.

Beckham has had that type of effect in other markets. A match Wednesday in Vancouver featuring the Galaxy drew more than 48,000 fans.

"I don't think you can ever prepare for something like this," Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas said of the buzz that has surrounded a season with Beckham. "In the big picture, it's been wonderful."

There were scant complaints among those who experienced a slice of Beckham-mania at the Dome.

"The world loves Becks," Maciek Gralinski said, "and this country is starting to get used to that."

Michael Rand • 612-673-7564

Michael Rand • mrand@startribune.com