There are clubs richer in tradition, clubs with a bigger fan base. But on Friday afternoon, FC Harlem was one of the most famous soccer clubs in the world. That's because the most recognizable player on the planet had come for a visit.
Following an early afternoon training session at Montclair State University with his Los Angeles Galaxy teammates, David Beckham arrived at the tiny soccer oasis off busy Amsterdam Avenue in Harlem a full 20 minutes early, thanks in part to the black chauffeur-driven Cadillac Escalade with a police escort.
Along with teammate Ty Harden and the Red Bulls strike force of Jozy Altidore and Juan Pablo Angel, Beckham participated in an MLS-sponsored clinic for Harlem Youth Soccer.
Later on, Beckham made his way to a midtown Manhattan hotel for a press conference in advance of Saturday night's match against the Red Bulls at Giants Stadium. It was another whirlwind day in the life of the soccer ambassador.
"Today's been one of the best days I've had since I arrived in America," Beckham said.
The highlight for Beckham was the clinic in Harlem, where he spoke, played and signed autographs for FC Harlem players like Sydney Kidner.
"I was nervous," said the 11-year-old who has aspirations of playing on the Galaxy, too. "To me, for a superstar to come to our town is really cool. We don't get many superstars up here."
Fans also lined up outside the chain-linked fence surrounding the park to catch a glimpse of Beckham. A few of the lucky ones also got an autograph when Beckham unexpectedly walked over and signed a Yankees hat and a baseball.
"This is wonderful. I'm just speechless. This is a big deal," said Chike Onubogu, a chemical engineering major at nearby City College. "As long as I get to see him not from a TV screen, I can sleep well tonight."
Shirin Howard and her daughter, Kiana Alexander, might not sleep at all tonight. That's because Kiana was able to play with Beckham in the clinic while Shirin proudly looked on.
"It was an honor that he showed up. This is wonderful, I'm still glowing," Howard said. "I hope all the kids do start to use him as a role model and to take soccer seriously."
While Beckham has learned to live his life under a microscope, Kiana had trouble playing in front of the paparazzi.
"It was really weird because all these people were taking pictures," she said.
After participating in some drills and a short scrimmage, Beckham took some questions from the players.
"I began playing in places like this, places that gives kids a great chance to become soccer players, decent athletes," Beckham told the players. "This is a great community, a community that needs a facility like this, not just for soccer, for baseball, for basketball and different sports."
And it's communities like Harlem that Alfonso Mondelo, the director of player programs in MLS, believes the league's future stars will get their start.
"I think this is where the future of American soccer is going to be coming out of," Mondelo said. "That can be the motivating factor to make soccer a lifelong passion. Sometimes the experience you have at a very young age stick with you forever so hopefully this will leave a lasting impression on them and make them football fanatics and lovers of the sport."
But Beckham said even if a professional soccer player doesn't come out of FC Harlem, the club would be a success.
"It's not about kids that have got the best ability in sports and in soccer," he said. "It's about kids being in a safe place and given a chance to go and enjoy themselves running around."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
