The Times has an interesting interview with Colorado Rapids right winger Terry Cooke, a former teammate of David Beckham at Manchester United in the mid-90s. Cooke and, to a greater extent, Beckham both played a part in the famous team of United “kids” that brought the Premier League title back to Manchester in 1996 after an aging Red Devils squad finished second to Blackburn Rovers a year earlier.
The two have not spoken in several years, although Cooke says he’s pleased that Becks’ arrival will raise awareness for the league. When asked about the standard the former England captain could expect, Cooke estimated mid-Coca-Cola Championship with an emphasis on aggression. “I was a bit naive when I first came over and thought I would find it easy,” he said. “But it is physically demanding. They never stop running even if it is 90 per cent humidity in Dallas or over 5,000-feet high like it is in Denver.”
“On the technical side, they are catching up, just like they are with everything else,” he said. “Take the facilities. Even in my two years here, lots of clubs have built their own dedicated soccer grounds. Now they are talking about starting new teams in Philadelphia and Seattle.”