Soccer Legend David Beckham Looks To Bend It In Miami

MIAMI, FL — With his former teammates suffering a crushing loss to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semifinals on Wednesday, soccer legend David Beckham is looking to rebound with a big win on Thursday in Miami. Beckham is scheduled to personally make his case for a new billion-dollar soccer stadium and development. The international icon has teamed up with well-known Miami businessman Jorge Mas to post the all-important business goal.

Ahead of Beckham's scheduled appearance at Miami City Hall on Thursday, the 43-year-old Beckham has been canvassing the Miami area for support, appearing at a World Cup watch party in Miami on Wednesday, paying a visit to Nicklaus Children's Hospital and even hosting a community barbecue on Thursday at Regatta Park prior to the Miami City Commission meeting.

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Earlier this year jubilant soccer fans poured into the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Center in downtown Miami as Beckham announced he was bringing professional soccer to the Magic City after a four-year quest that required the striker to bend it around a number of zoning and funding obstacles. The new team will be a Major League Soccer expansion team and is expected to take the pitch for the first time in 2020.

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Beckham and Mas need permission to lease the city-owned Melreese County Club and community golf course that they plan to turn into a mega development and technology hub to house the thus-far unnamed Miami Soccer team and more. The question is likely to be settled by a voter referendum in November.

Mas posted the results of a McLaughlin & Associates survey ahead of Thursday's meeting that showed three out of four Miami voters support Beckham's plans. A number of Miami residents who use regularly use the golf course were expected to turn out in opposition.

"Nearly six in 10 — 58 percent, "strongly favor" this proposal demonstrating the intensity behind the issue," the Washington, D.C. area-based polling company penned. "Only 17 percent oppose this and another 9 percent are unsure. Importantly, when looking at key voter groups opposition does not outweigh support anywhere. In fact the lowest level of support is still an impressive 63 percent."

Miami City Hall is located at 3500 Pan American Dr. if you want to make your voice heard.

Photo credit: Alex Livesey / Staff/ Getty Images News