David Beckhams story is one that captured the attention of a nation. Whether you liked it or not, living in England during his time at Manchester United, there was no escaping the Beckham brand. He was constantly in the spotlight, hounded by paparazzi and living out his life on the front and back pages of the newspapers. The Beckham brand grew quickly and ferociously as it spread around the world. Of course, having a pop star wife contributed greatly to his celebrity status back in those early days, but now as he announced his retirement as a player on Thursday, Beckham-mania is very much still in effect. The former England captain created as many headlines off the pitch as he did on it, but he leaves behind some fantastic moments that will never be forgotten. For me, there are many memories that stand out - but none more so than the stoppage time free kick against Greece at Old Trafford which secured England a place in the 2002 World Cup. It wasnt just because of the goal he scored, but the journey he had taken to get to that point. He became a national hero, just three years after being vilified for his sending off against Argentina at France 98. So what else will he be remembered for? Obviously his sweet right foot, his incredible passing ability and his trademark free kicks. But for of all his accomplishments during an illustrious career, the one that hits closest to home for us here in North America is the legacy he left behind following his six years in Major League Soccer. When Beckham signed with LA Galaxy in 2007, one of his primary goals was to help grow the league and the game in North America, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he achieved that. As MLS Commissioner Don Garber sums up succinctly, “Now MLS is far more popular and important here and abroad than it was when he arrived." Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to witness the impact of Beckham first-hand. It was always incredible to see the number of television cameras that would come out when he was visiting Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. The first time he arrived in Toronto as a Galaxy player just after joining the club, I remember being ushered into Air Canada Centre the day before the game for a press conference where he announced he wasnt fit enough to play. Even though he didnt make it onto the pitch, just his presence provided a real buzz in the city. Over 60,000 people turned up in Montreal last season to see Beckham take on the Impact at Olympic Stadium, and the sell -out signs were up at BC Place when he arrived to take on the Whitecaps in July 2012. His presence helped people across North America take notice of Major League Soccer. Sold out stadiums partnered with increased revenue for MLS from corporate partnerships, TV deals and merchandise sales were all immediate benefits of Beckhams arrival. However, perhaps the biggest way Beckham has influenced MLS has been by lifting its profile amongst players around the world. Beckham legitimized MLS as a playing option for many European players and in years since, other big names have followed. Speaking with players who have made the switch and some who are considering it, they all point to Beckham joining LA as the moment in time when they began to take serious notice of Major League Soccer. Beckham is the reason why, overnight, the league took a step up in importance on the world football ladder. At the time of his exit from Major League Soccer, Tim Leiweke who played a major role in bringing Beckham to LA during his time in charge of Anschutz Entertainment Group sad this: "Seldom does an athlete redefine a sport and David not only took our franchise to another level but he took our sport to another level." There are many people who will be glad Beckhams playing career has come to an end. Some say his soccer abilities were inflated because of his celebrity status, and to a certain extent that may be true. But I do believe this - there is no other soccer player in the world that has ever had as far-reaching impact as Beckham. That doesnt mean hes the best player to ever grace the pitch. Far from it. But he found a way to transcend the sport, and the game benefitted because of that. Cheap Puma Shoes Australia . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Cheap Puma Shoes Online Australia .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. http://www.cheappumaaustralia.com/ . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Wholesale Puma Shoes . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. Buy Puma Shoes Australia . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- The chance to compete at the Olympics cant come soon enough for Martin Kaymer.While the top four players in the world and 21 men overall will not be part of the Rio Games, the 31-year-old German has been thinking about it all summer.Calling out Michael Phelps and fellow German Dirk Nowitzki and as some of the best Olympians he wants to see and meet, Kaymer sounds as though hes looking forward to going to Rio as much as his ongoing run at the PGA Championship.Rio isnt so much as distraction, rather a motivation.It is so, so, inspiring, and I really look forward to go, experience that, and I dont know how I will feel, Kaymer said. Im sure its going to take a couple weeks after that to reflect on all your experiences.Going to Rio has inspired Kaymers latest hot streak. He shot a 4-under 66 in the opening round on Thursday and followed with a 69 in the second round to reach 5 under.The two-time major champion, birdied three of his last four holes Friday.I think I placed myself in a very good spot, Kaymer said. Who knows where the leader is going to be by the end of the day. I shot a good score yesterday, a very good round today. So its a good position to be in in a major championship.After his opening round on Thursday, Kaymer said he is looking forward to seeing the best athletes in their sports at the Olympics -- and not only the Germans.I watched Lionel Messi a couple times when Barcelona played against Bayern Munich and I went to the stadium, just to see the class, the natural talent of an athlete, is amazing, Kaymer said. You know, you can work as hard as you want but you are never going to get there.Kaymer said especially Phelps has an invitation to come watch him play at Rio.He can walk inside the ropes, Im sure, he said. That is just so great to watch them and just -- sometimes its funny how good the athletes are. Because you compare yourself, how bad you are, because obviouslly you tried the sport, and I look forward to that.dddddddddddd.Kaymer went into this week at No. 51 in the world ranking, having not won since 2014.Interestingly enough, its in the even-numbered years when Kaymer has played some of his best golf and 2016 is starting to look up after two promising rounds at Baltusrol.Im more the kind of player who has some really nice highs in my career, and then I have some time to enjoy it again, Kaymer said. Then all of a sudden, you know, you create a little bit more inspiration from something, and then you play better again.In his first appearance of 2008, Kaymer won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and then added a win in his homeland at the BMW International Open.In 2010, Kaymer won his first major -- the PGA Championship -- after he won a three-hole playoff over Bubba Watson.One of Europes heroes in 2012, Kaymer made a 6-foot putt on the last hole at the Ryder Cup to defeat Steve Stricker and secure the last point needed to achieve a stunning comeback and retain the Ryder Cup.In 2014, Kaymer dominated at Pinehurst No. 2 for an eight-shot victory in the U.S. Open, one month after winning The Players Championship against the strongest and deepest field in golf. Kaymer joined Tiger Woods as the only players to win a U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Players Championship and WGC event before their 30th birthday.I think in general, you grow, not only as a golf player but as a person, as well, and through that success, through the two major wins that I had, I think you grow a lot more, Kaymer said. You take things a little bit more -- you value them a little bit more, and therefore, somehow it calms me down.After struggling in the first part of the 2016 season, Kaymer is headed into the weekend rounds at the PGA Championship back on the upswing. ' ' '