There is a lot of speculation in the English media about how David Beckham’s selection to the English squad will be hampered by his playing in the MLS, an inferior league. In short, if he scores 7 goals and provides 12 assists for the LA Galaxy will it be considered equivalent to 3 goals and 7 assists at Real. Beckham’s MLS performances will be under intense scrutiny and go through a credentialing process with McLaren. Many believe that his time spent in the MLS will damage his chances of playing for England.
An indicator would be if Juan Pablo Angel’s hot hand for the NY Red Bulls (A brief 5 matches, 6 goals and 2 assists) is making Colombian selectors sit up and take notice. Is manager Jorge Luis Pinto going to spend his time equating Angel’s somewhat indifferent Villa career with his new found success in the MLS? Angel has drifted in and out of the national team since 1996 but he does have an not too unsubstantial 33 caps for Colombia with 9 goals scored with his last appearance nationally in August 2006. Jorge Luis Pinto emphasis seems to be on youth and Miguel Calero at 36 and Mario Yepes at 31 years of age are the only graybeards called up for the Copa America squad.
There are differences of course. There has been no clamor for Angel’s selection unlike that of Beckham. And Beckham leaves La Liga with an upsurge in his performance whereas Angel’s career at Villa was sidelined by the arrival of John Carew and Ashley Young, inconsistency, and injuries. These are factors that will weigh with selectors even as these two players make their careers in a new and overlooked league.