All that was missing was a series of switchbacks.
The line, with one quick u-turn near the front, snaked across the concourse and down a series of low steps to the curb, resembling that of a sold-out show and certainly one waiting for a big event.
This was no ordinary line, though, and not the one for those fans straining to gain entrance to David Beckham's introductory press conference Friday.
It was merely to pick up media credentials.
"You only see this for the Queen," said one member of a British TV crew.
"This is like the Oscars," said another waiting in the queue.
While there was no red carpet, there was plenty of green to walk across which better suited the occasion as Beckham, celebrity status notwithstanding, will still make his living as a player and entered The Home Depot Center soccer pitch from the south side for the short stroll to the stage set in one corner to address the media and 5,000 or so enthusiastic fans.
It was Day One of the rest of soccer's life here in Southern California and, if those who maneuvered to bring arguably the world's best-known athlete to the region have guessed correctly, also in the United States.
And not to miss out on a story that is designed to score points as easily as one of Becks' own free kicks, the media -- local, national and international -- assembled en masse to record the occasion.
From the approach to a stadium that had helicopters buzzing overhead, to the parking lot which held dozens of broadcast equipment trucks, Beckham was not getting away with a quick Q & A session with reporters and the obligatory new team jersey photo op.
Still photographers packed the area in front of the stage while hundreds of TV and video crews staked out positions in front of the first row of seating that began in front of the south goal and extended down, turned the corner in front of the stage and continued up about one-third the length of the pitch.
Just prior to Beckham's entrance, the photographers seized their first opportunity with the arrival of Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, who posed at the front of the VIP section resplendent in a shiny fuchsia dress and matching handbag.
Beckham's own arrival into the stadium was first seen on the large video screen as he made the long walk up the south tunnel.
He was escorted by LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas and both took seats on a stage that included Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, MLS commissioner Don Garber and AEG president Tim Leiweke.
After a number of remarks from those on stage, Beckham got his chance to address the crowd.
"This is one of the biggest challenges I've taken on in my career," Beckham said. "Potentially in the States, soccer can be as big as it is around the world. I'm going to be part of that for the next five years and maybe a few years later."
Given the large number of media, individuals were assigned to groups and sent to one of five luxury suites set up for less formal press conferences. Beckham later addressed the positioned TV crews for quick sound bites.
Questions included one from CBS that challenged Beckham to explain why he thought he could change the perception of soccer in America even though Pele failed to do that when he played for the Cosmos in the old North American Soccer League in the 1970s.
Another from ESPN wanted to know why Beckham thought now was the right time to make the jump. One from a German publication wanted to hear about Beckham's sense of fashion while Yahoo Sports took the titillating angle with a question about sex appeal.
All through it, Beckham remained cool, polite, articulate and charming. Reared on the British tabloid press, Friday's media crush was relatively calm.
Beckham is scheduled to make his debut with his new club July 21 against Chelsea of the English Premier League and questions will likely be more about what takes place between the lines.
But at a cost of $32.5 million a year over the next five, questions will invariably extend past the pitch and given Friday's media throng, there will be plenty of candidates looking for answers.
Mike Scarr is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
