Better than Best: Craig Bellamy, Quakes first Designated Player

Craig Bellamy changes the course of the MLS as the San Jose Earthquakes first Designated Player

It would set the MLS and US soccer on fire.

Bring Craig Bellamy to the San Jose Earthquakes. His addition alone would be enough to take the Quakes into the playoffs and I’d wager to win the whole league. That’s a bit more of an impact than the more famous Beckham or Henry.

Remarkably, Bellamy may be surplus to Manchester City’s coming campaign.  He might be available.

“If I don’t get in the squad I don’t know what I will do,” Bellamy has told the press, ”I might finish, full stop. Or look at every option. This game is ruthless.”

Well, here’s an option.

Bellamy is, surely, exactly what the Quakes are missing, a striker with great quality, pace, and real fire in his veins. He has the undeterable self-belief the Quakes have lacked, the sheer will that would make even the Quakes defense better. Bellamy would be a team changer, the level of play would instantly goes up 20%, and stay there if he stepped onto the Quakes training pitch.

Would he do well in the MLS?  Bellamy is perfect for the MLS in a way neither Beckham, Lundberg nor Henry ever could be. He is that rare combination of fine skill, wicked pace, monster work rate, and freight train ego. Yeah, mess with me, c’mon!   His personality fits the league to a “T” and his skills give him all the firepower he needs.

Craig seems barely under control, except when in a position to score; that’s the kind of player America loves best, in any sport.

We’d go to games just to see MLS referees work up their nerve to call Bellamy offside. That’s a different crowd, mind you, than goes to games to see Beckham take off his shirt.  Bellamy would draw real soccer fans, the core, and he would make US soccer more core just by being part of it.

Bellamy, unlike some famous guests in the MLS league, would not likely treat it like a holiday, but would quickly come to dominate the league, ruthlessly. Bellamy would become the most popular soccer player in the MLS and in the USA, the most powerful nation on Earth.

With Manchester City so stocked with famous strikers that Bellamy may not make the 25 man squad for the Fall, it’s something Craig and the Quakes ought to seriously consider. Oh, Mancinci should be ashamed.

I forsee a statute of Craig Bellamy in downtown San Jose in 2012. But only if Mancini leaves him out of the 25, and John Doyle works some magic to get him here.