The American Outlaws' call of #WeWant9 is looking more and more likely as the United States national team faces a depleted Honduran side at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Securing three points from this revenge match will pretty much book the Nats to Brazil as the rest of the "Hex" qualifying group slips into disarray.

Honduras is not the same side that the U.S. went up early on and then fell to the heat of San Pedro Sula. Through injury, suspension, and out-right abandonment of the team Los Catrachos may be without the services of six of their starters.

What are we recommending for this match? We stepped away from our local recommendation last time to play a little "six degrees of beer" game, but we're back to honor SLC's contribution to the craft beer world.

Before you making any snarky remarks about Utah and their beer.... check yourself. While the labyrinth of laws would make David Bowie's head spin getting a good brew in the "U" isn't impossible... it just means you just have to work a little bit harder for it.

Meet Epic Brewing Co. First off, this is Real Salt Lake and U.S. goalkeeper Nick Rimando's favorite brewery. And you trust him, right? Epic Brewing makes some of the state's finest craft beers (Unita Brewing Co. should also be on your "to-drink" list) and their "Elevation" series is impressive.

And why not? This USMNT on the last stop on their "elevation" part of the tour (Denver, Seattle, SLC) and what makes this series so interesting is that "tweeks" that the brewers work in every time they brew a new batch of one of the styles (which includes an IPA, stout, golden, and a pale ale) from this series.

Photo Credit: "Pops On Hops"

"Tweeks" is the name of the game for coach Jurgen Klinsmann who's constant meddling of the USMNT lineup has re-vitalized some careers (DMB) and re-invented others (Evans, Cameron, etc) and put the team on course for qualification.

Of all the "elevation" series to choose from we're picking the "825 State" Stout which Epic describes the range of it "from dry to sweet, creamy or bitter". The "flavors Epic explores within this stout are roast chocolate, toffee, mocha, coffee, burnt marshmallow and roasted nuts or combinations there-of."

If that's not a tinker's beer for JK we don't what is. And just like this stout (and here's to hoping for another "stout" defense") the tinkering has finally paid off.

What you drinking for tonight's match?

Photo Credit: MLSSoccer.com

Editor's Note: This is our "get fired up" post for US international matches. We re-post it for every US game. Share it with your friends.

Today's the day the U.S. Men's National Team takes the field in a qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Today's the day they face Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Today's the day we take the win and move on to the next match.

Today's the day that Howard will shine, Dempsey will lead, goals will be scored, and timely tackles will be made.

Today's the day we sit down with friends and fellow soccer fans and cheer on the home team.

Today's the day we invite someone new to come along and experience the power of a soccer match.

Today's the day they'll get a free cold one to enjoy while watching the sport we so desperately love and the team we'd follow to the ends of the earth (or Brazil!).

Today's the day we ask a non-soccer fan to join our footballing family.

The Free Beer Movement is about spreading the love of American soccer to all corners of the nation and no day is better than today. Today, the pride and joy of our nation's game takes the field in order to continue its push towards the greatest sporting spectacle of all-time, the World Cup.

The past, present, and future of American soccer all take the field today to join in one cause, to win, and to move on to the next level.

It is days like this we, as American soccer fans embrace, as our national team fights for our country's continued respect on the international stage and to stake a claim as the best team in North and Central America.

Games like today are bigger than any game; bigger than any MLS game, and bigger than your son or daughter's kick around in the park.

Our local colors blend. There are no more yellow and black of the Columbus Crew or orange and white of the Houston Dynamo or the black and red of DC United; today there is only RED, WHITE, and BLUE.

These are the days that our nation's best and brightest shine on the field for 90 minutes. For themselves, for soccer, but mostly for you... the American fan and their country... the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

These are the days that you have to get up as a soccer fan in America.

So grab you friends, grab those soccer fans, grab those ones you want to become soccer fans, and most importantly grab some really cold beers because today's the day we support our National Team and our national game we love so much.

Photo Credit: Zimbio

Abby Wambach crept closer to Mia Hamm's all-time international scoring record as the United States women's national team cruised to a 4-1 win over South Korea in front of 13,000 in Foxborough, Mass.

A 93rd minute penality kick pushed Wambach to within two of Hamm's 158 career goals. FC Kansas City defender Kristie Mewis scored her first international goal while Carli Lloyd and Lauren Cheney pilled on as well for the USWNT.

The match was game one of two against South Korea. The second to be played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on Thursday, June 20th at 6:30pm CT on NBC Sports Network.

Highlights:

Reaction:

Recap and analysis from women's soccer's best writers/sites:

Equalizer Soccer - "US women roll over Korea Republic; Wambach scores"

Jeff Kassouf (NBC Pro Soccer Talk) - "Wambach inches closer, US women upend Korea Republic"

ESPNW - "Abby Wambach, U.S. Top South Korea"

The calm before the storm. CenturyLink Field on Sunday evening.

Coverage of U.S. Soccer from "The Seattle Times".

Our hotel was right across the street from the USMNT hotel and I was able to snag pics with a few of the guys.

Jermaine Jones. Concussed or stunned to meet FBM?

Two members of the "big ear club". Me and Brad Davis.

Sacha Kljestan. Thanks for taking the picture former Victoria's Secret model Jamie Lee Darley!

Like an opponent's shot, safely in the arms of Brad Guzan.

Fabian Johnson and Nick Rimando. 

We took in a few beers at Elysian Brewing Company in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and, of course, left our mark.

The American Outlaws "Night Before Party" was hosted by AO: Seattle at Golazo Energy's Headquarters. Several former national team players including Cobi Jones, Alexi Lalas, and Taylor Twellman stopped by. A packed house all night with FIFA tournaments, fooseball (we dominated), and a uber-patrotic photo booth, plus sweet gear giveaways from Nike Soccer.

USMNT legend Cobi Jones supporting the FBM cause.

Signing a big card for the USMNT.

Sno-Fro made an appearance!

Then it was gameday. Off to the American Outlaws bar-tailgate and, of course, the match itself.

We took in a little bit of the "local flavor" for better or worse.

March to the Match.

Free scarves! America!

Under the giant flag after the National Anthem. One guy looks concerned.

The atmosphere at the stadium was incredible.

You know the drill.... #CheersToSoccer

American Outlaws VP Justin Brunken and I in silly surprise of such a great result.

We were walking out of the stadium when I elbowed Brunken. "Is that f*cking Jay DeMerit?" "Hey Jay!" I yelled.

Yup... Jay F*cking DeMerit.

Look ma! I was on the TeeVee!

Having survived the "snow-pocolypse" in Denver and been a part of this massively awesome crowd in Seattle.... don't know how much more "epic" U.S. events we can take! There's no doubt that this city knows how to bring it for American soccer, Sounders or their national team.

See you all in Salt Lake City!

The United States men's national team took pole position in CONCACAF's "Hex" and is nearly a lock for going to Brazil in 2014 after a decisve 2-0 win over Panama in front of nearly 41,000 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. Jozy Altidore provided the opening goal in the 36th minute, giving him three goals in the last three games. It wasn't necessary, but Seattle Sounders' Eddie Johnson delighted the home crowd with the Nats second goal of the evening in the 53rd minute.

Combined with Mexico's dour 0-0 draw with Costa Rica at Estadio Azteca the USMNT now tops their World Cup qualifying group with 10 points and a 3-1-1 record.

They'll face Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium next Tuesday at 9pm ET.

Highlights:

Seattle. Washington. United States.

The Nats are back home and in one of America's biggest soccer cities. Panama... we hope you're ready for this. With three, dramatic points in the bag from their Jamaican vacation the USMNT will have to avoid overconfidence against this weakened opponent (FC Dallas man Blas Perez is out with gastroenteritis) and playing in front of, arguably, one of the largest pro-U.S. crowds they've ever had.

A win tonight makes the tougher, revenge match against Honduras in Sandy, Utah look less daunting. Bottom line: do work, get a result.

For today's game day beer recommendation we're going to play a little six degrees of separation. Although this one doesn't involve bacon; Kevin or Rogue's Voodoo Maple.

Long time readers of this piece (wait... what? I've only been doing for about six months) knows that FBM is a big history nerd so let's dive in. In the early 1900s the United States and President Theodore Roosevelt "assisted" in the Panamanian Revolution that would see the isthmus win their independence from Colombia in 1903. Lo and behold, the next year the U.S. was given the rights to build a canal through Panama, and it was completed in 1914. The United States would control the canal until 1999. Teddy also was found of the suds, once, allegedly, bringing 500 gallons of beer on an African expedition in 1909.

Theodore Roosevelt was cousins with another U.S. president, Franklin D. Roosevelt the 32nd to hold the office. FDR, during the Great Depression and World War Two was found of giving "Fireside Chats" to reassure a nation nervous with economic troubles and the global conflict. "Fireside Chat" is the name of an awesome "winter warmer" by 21st Amendment. 21st Amendment is an awesome San Francisco brewery and some other similarly named patriotic brews.

Today, enjoy 21st Amendment's "Hell or High Watermelon" wheat beer. Their webpage introduces the beer as such: "Like Lady Liberty, we stand for independence and perseverance. In the pursuit of innovative beer, there is no obstacle too great."

Sounds a lot like our USMNT. Let's do this boys... for Lady Liberty.

What are you drinking tonight?

Editor's Note: This is our "get fired up" post for US international matches. We re-post it for every US game. Share it with your friends.

Today's the day the U.S. Men's National Team takes the field in in a qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Today's the day they face Panama at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington.

Today's the day we take the win and move on to the next match.

Today's the day that Howard will shine, Dempsey will lead, goals will be scored, and timely tackles will be made.

Today's the day we sit down with friends and fellow soccer fans and cheer on the home team.

Today's the day we invite someone new to come along and experience the power of a soccer match.

Today's the day they'll get a free cold one to enjoy while watching the sport we so desperately love and the team we'd follow to the ends of the earth (or Brazil!).

Today's the day we ask a non-soccer fan to join our footballing family.

The Free Beer Movement is about spreading the love of American soccer to all corners of the nation and no day is better than today. Today, the pride and joy of our nation's game takes the field in order to continue its push towards the greatest sporting spectacle of all-time, the World Cup.

The past, present, and future of American soccer all take the field today to join in one cause, to win, and to move on to the next level.

It is days like this we, as American soccer fans embrace, as our national team fights for our country's continued respect on the international stage and to stake a claim as the best team in North and Central America.

Games like today are bigger than any game; bigger than any MLS game, and bigger than your son or daughter's kick around in the park.

Our local colors blend. There are no more yellow and black of the Columbus Crew or orange and white of the Houston Dynamo or the black and red of DC United; today there is only RED, WHITE, and BLUE.

These are the days that our nation's best and brightest shine on the field for 90 minutes. For themselves, for soccer, but mostly for you... the American fan and their country... the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

These are the days that you have to get up as a soccer fan in America.

So grab you friends, grab those soccer fans, grab those ones you want to become soccer fans, and most importantly grab some really cold beers because today's the day we support our National Team and our national game we love so much.

Friday's night wina against Jamaica wasn't just a massive step toward the United States men's national team's qualification for the World Cup. It was also a massive step forward for us at the Free Beer Movement.

In partnership with the U.S. soccer supporters group, the American Outlaws, we hosted the "National Beer Outreach Day". In more than 55 AO chapter bars, all across America, the FBM philosophy was in full-effect. Huge paid tabs, two-for-one deals, steep drink discounts, and, of course, straight-up free beer was flowing like....errrr.... wine... for these supporters of the USMNT.

The goal, as always, is to use the power of a free beer to lure newbies to the sport, and in this case, help build support for not only the Nats, but the American Outlaws organization. Already the national team's largest supporters group NBOD was also a membership drive for AO as current members brought unaffliated fans or newbies to get them to join in the excitment of the journey to Brazil in 2014.

The American Outlaws and FBM promoted the event via social media and asked members and guest to Tweet using the hashtag #PourItForward

Here are some of the best pictures and Tweets of the night: (check out the entire #PourItForward timelines as well)

Just another day at "The Office", right?

The United States men's national team beat Jamaica in dramatic fashion last night with Brad Evans smashing a stoppage-time shot into the back of the net to win 2-1. Jozy Altidore stayed hot scoring his second goal in two matches (his first in a competitive U.S. game since 2011).

Both sides exchanged chances off the post, but it was the U.S. who drew first blood. Graham Zusi found free space to cross the ball and Altidore headed it home. The second half devolved into a series of half-chances and close shaves for the Nats' defense until 89th minute when the wheels came off. Just like the USMNT's last visit to Kingston, a free-kick in a dangerous position and poor man-marking (plus a little help from being offsides), and Jamaica had their equalizer on a Jermaine Beckford header.

With four minutes of stoppage-time a Michael Bradley received a pass back from his short corner, snuck the ball under the foot of a Jamaican defender to find Evans. Evans pivoted towards the goal and fired a shot past the defense and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. 

Three points. Get on the plane.

The Nats continue their World Cup qualifying journey at home against Panama from Seattle at 6:30pm PT on ESPN.

Highlights:

Analysis from some of American soccer's best writers:

Grant Wahl (Sports Illustrated) - "Three thoughts on the U.S.' stunning win in Jamaica"

Matthew Doyle (MLSSoccer.com) - "Armchair Analyst: Three things we learned from a reassuring USMNT win in Jamaica"

Steve Davis (Pro Soccer Talk) - "U.S. now in great shape for World Cup  qualifying"

Doug McIntyre (ESPN) - "U.S. finally has more width in attack"

Livio Bird (American Soccer Now) - "Office Schematics: How the U.S. Defeated Jamaica"

Will Parchman (The Shin Guardian) - "The USA v. Jamaica Retro Diary: 2-1 USA WHAAAAAT!"

Player Ratings:

Brian Sciaretta (New York Times/ Yanks Abroad)

Avi Creditor (Sports Illustrated)

Jeff Carlisle (ESPN)

Greg Seltzer (MLSSoccer.com)

Tonight is the night.

That sounds like some gondola singer's line in Venice, but it's appropriate for what's on the line for the United States men's national team in Kingston, Jamaica.

For Jamaica it's win or their World Cup qualifying odyssey is in "beyond serious" trouble. For the Nats the need to play for the "W" while keeping a close eye on not blowing the draw. Dropping points at "The Office" like during the last round is not an option. It's no nail in the qualifying coffin, but it a blow to the momentum-generating win against Germany last Sunday and what we need to get in gear for home matches against Panama and Honduras in the next two weeks.

Without wasting your time let's get right to today's beer of the match.

Meet Sierra Nevada "Torpedo" Extra India Pale Ale. The Chico, California brewery is one of the "greats" and "originals". Their pioneering work on the hoppy side of beers has made their brand a staple even at bars that are allergic to craft beer.  If you can't get "Torpedo" fill up your pint with the less, hoppy, flagship "Pale Ale". Draft, bottles, or even in a can Sierra Nevada's got you covered.

We chose "Torpedo" because we're hoping that tonight's match is the one that sinks Jamaica's World Cup hopes. The worse off the Reggae Boyz sit in the table the more distance we can put between us and them and securing our own qualification to Brazil.

Who's the lead Torpedo in the USMNT arsenal? It's none other than captain, my captain Clint Dempsey. He'd got the biggest balls of them all and he's putting them out there to secure passage to Brazil. Jozy is in tube two getting ready to follow up his banner performance against Germany.

Bottom line? Jamaica's got a mountain to climb in this match (the Sierra Nevada mountains?) and a loss for them means they're basically done-zo.

The U.S. needs to come out torpedoes a-blazin' and get the job done in Kingston. Their backline, set-piece defending, and attack need that "extra" something tonight or otherwise USMNT fans will be looking "pale".

What are you drinking for tonight's U.S. game?

Editor's Note: This is our "get fired up" post for US international matches. We re-post it for every US game. Share it with your friends.

Today's the day the U.S. Men's National Team takes the field in in a qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Today's the day they face Jamaica at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

Today's the day we take the win and move on to the next match.

Today's the day that Howard will shine, Dempsey will lead, goals will be scored, and timely tackles will be made.

Today's the day we sit down with friends and fellow soccer fans and cheer on the home team.

Today's the day we invite someone new to come along and experience the power of a soccer match.

Today's the day they'll get a free cold one to enjoy while watching the sport we so desperately love and the team we'd follow to the ends of the earth (or Brazil!).

Today's the day we ask a non-soccer fan to join our footballing family.

The Free Beer Movement is about spreading the love of American soccer to all corners of the nation and no day is better than today. Today, the pride and joy of our nation's game takes the field in order to continue its push towards the greatest sporting spectacle of all-time, the World Cup.

The past, present, and future of American soccer all take the field today to join in one cause, to win, and to move on to the next level.

It is days like this we, as American soccer fans embrace, as our national team fights for our country's continued respect on the international stage and to stake a claim as the best team in North and Central America.

Games like today are bigger than any game; bigger than any MLS game, and bigger than your son or daughter's kick around in the park.

Our local colors blend. There are no more yellow and black of the Columbus Crew or orange and white of the Houston Dynamo or the black and red of DC United; today there is only RED, WHITE, and BLUE.

These are the days that our nation's best and brightest shine on the field for 90 minutes. For themselves, for soccer, but mostly for you... the American fan and their country... the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

These are the days that you have to get up as a soccer fan in America.

So grab you friends, grab those soccer fans, grab those ones you want to become soccer fans, and most importantly grab some really cold beers because today's the day we support our National Team and our national game we love so much.

Editor's Note: Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but It bends toward justice”. Sometimes we American soccer fans get wrapped up in the day-to-day, Monday morning quarterbacking (or centerbacking), knee-jerk reactions and miss out on the big picture. This weekly column will focus on picking out the larger themes and issues of Major League Soccer and the American game.

By Eric Betts / Senior Crystal Ball Correspondent

Pop culture figures I personally have compared Clint Dempsey to in writing:

- Han Solo
- Yoda
- Dean Moriarty
- Arthur Fonzarelli
- Batman
- Indiana Jones
- Charles Bronson’s claustrophobic “Tunnel King”
- MacGyver

And now, kind of, sort of, Maria von Trapp

Basically, Clint Dempsey is the Patton Oswalt Episode VII pitch of American soccer. (This would make a fantastic web video, except Dempsey isn’t a convincing actor even when he plays himself in TV commercials.)

Through one and a quarter rounds of qualifying, Dempsey has scored seven of the USMNT’s 13 total goals, largely from a central attacking midfield/shadow striker role in Klinsmann’s 4-Pentagon-That-Rotates-from-Game-to-Game-So-That-A-Different-Player-Is-Always-Highest-1 formation. He is the only effective component in an offense that has been sputtering for more than a year now, the one player the team can depend on to put the ball in the back of the net, the best player on the team playing in his preferred position.

He has to go.

Not go-away-forever go. But go-somewhere-else go. Despite the impressive goal haul, despite his standing as the captain, despite the fact that he is often our only hope, building around Dempsey in the central attacking midfielder role is not a good thing.

This isn’t news to most U.S. fans; it’s something that’s been mentioned in passing for months across the soccer media spectrum, but has seemed the least of all possible worries about the team as long as he’s still scoring goals. Whether it’s a symptom of the team’s growing pains or a cause is something idly wondered about while fans and pundits continue their search for Dutch Jozy Altidore and play Elimidate with center back pairings. Who would even play there? (The answer is U.S. Soccer’s own Len Bias, 2010 Stu Holden.) Given the lack of other options, maybe it’s okay. It’s better than playing three defensive midfielders, right?

Well, yes, but not enough so. Best case scenario: With the offense running smoothly, (Q1: Is Michael Bradley playing? Q2: Is everyone saying nasty things on Twitter about the team and coach because of their last performance? If Y to Q1 and Q2, then yes, the offense is probably running smoothly.) Dempsey is able to play higher up and with the confidence that his teammates will get him the ball in the final third.

All other scenarios: The offense grinds its gears trying to get from second to third and Dempsey starts dropping deeper in search of the ball. This is a problem, because he all-too-often gets it.

Teammates know that Deuce is the best chance to make something happen when the offense is sputtering, but when Dempsey gets the ball at the center circle he’s merely a good player, not the leather-jacket wearing, Harrison Ford-channeling, fashion-chances-out-of-duct-tape-and-jumper-cables embodiment of American soccer id that he ought to be.

That’s not to say he’s been bad; he’s actually proved himself adept at keeping possession in Klinsmann’s offense, misplacing a total of six passes against Belgium and Germany combined. The bad news is just two of his 81 completed passes found someone inside the 18-yard box: the headed assist and a right-wing cross. The threat of his passing pales in comparison to the threat of his goal-scoring. He’s a finisher, not a playmaker.

Dempsey can be a creative force; it’s just his skill set is built much more around getting the ball around the last line of defenders and into the net, not through the midfield shield in front of them and to a player in good position. Some zones on the field are more difficult for offensive players to operate in than others. The best playmakers skirt the edges of them, dominating the seams. Dempsey abandons them entirely, searching out spaces deeper in midfield or towards the flanks, or pushing further forward where he can take one touch before getting off a shot. The issue, in other words, isn’t getting him the ball; it’s also getting it to the people in front of him.

Dempsey at his best is a ball-stopper; the qualities that we praise in him, the vaunted willingness to “just try shit,” requires that he take the ball and do something audacious and risky and likely as not to fail with it. We lament the fact that more of our players don’t do this, but we’re asking the one who does to complete 93 percent of his passes and lose the ball just four other times and to try to jumpstart the offense by moving further and further away from the area in which he does his best offensive work. That he’s the one who usually manages to score in these games anyway is a testament to his ability to convert the one chance that falls his way.

To run the offense through him as a central attacking midfielder is to neuter that instinct. Dempsey creates and takes his own chances so well that he gives you plan A production even when he is the plan B, Nearly every new coach Fulham cycled through during his time at the club started by benching Dempsey for the sake of whatever system they envisioned the team playing, then going back to him when it became apparent that they needed another, different kind of threat to ride out of the sunset and save everyone’s asses.  When he gets to play higher up in that role, it works out just fine. When he does take on more of a linking role, the result can be less than ideal.

Klinsmann’s been experimenting for nearly a year playing a goalscorer on the left to balance a more service-oriented player on the right – think how Brazil used Robinho under Dunga, starting high on the flank to take advantage of space left by a marauding fullback but moving into the gap between the right fullback and the centerback in attack. Klinsmann asks for more defensive discipline from this player, but has gotten serviceable performances out of non-wingers Herculez Gomez and Eddie Johnson, who’s so thoroughly converted in Klinsmann’s mind that he’s listed as a midfielder on the Gold Cup provisional roster.

You get the sense this role was at one point, specifically this point, earmarked for Brek Shea to grow into. Now in theory, it’s a way to get a third striker-type on the field while maintaining defensive shape and a semblance of width. In practice, when things are not going well, it’s another withered body to be dug up from under the touchline after being starved of service for 90 minutes. 

Now it’s time to give that spot back to Dempsey, who’s spent much of his career for club and country cutting inside from that area. Starting him out wide won’t keep him out of central goalscoring positions: the two Agents Johnson played their combined 79 total minutes on two different flanks yesterday opposite service men Graham Zusi and Brad Davis (somewhat frustratingly matching Eddie’s speed against the only German who seemed to have any interest in running, Dennis Aogo), but you wouldn’t know it from where they were getting the ball.

It may not be. All the reasons listed above could be used as justification for putting him right in front of goal, as a traditional striker or a false-nine, except the team would still lack for wing options to play around him or midfield runners to move into the space he opens up with his movement. To what lengths should we go in order to build a team around Clint Dempsey? Do we even have the parts to build that kind of a team?

And, most crucially, does Dempsey need a team to be built around him?  Or can he still survive, and even thrive, as the best Plan B in the business?

About Eric

Eric Betts is a freelancer writer who lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and his dog Lando (yup). He is a contributing writer for "The Other 87 Minutes", their brilliance featured every Tuesday on the Free Beer Movement in the form of "the Tuesday 10" or the "Tuesday XI". While attending Emory University he won "College Jeopardy"

The women's national team provided the icing on the cake for the United States' soccer Centennial celebration beating Canada 3-0 in Toronto.

The first half wouldn't see any goals from a resolute Canadian defense, but all of that good work was undone as Alex Morgan scored twice in about two minutes midway through the second half and Sydney Leroux tallied a goal in stoppage time.

The Lady Nats will face South Korea in a pair of matches later this month; June 15th in Boston and June 20th in New Jersey.

Alex Morgan's First Goal:

Alex Morgan's Second Goal:

Sydney Leroux's Goal:

Post-Game Quote Sheet

Analysis from some of American soccer's best writers:

Richard Farley (Pro Soccer Talk) - "Five takeaways from the United States’ win over Canada"

Jeff Kassouf (Equalizer Soccer) - "Morgan, Leroux lift US women over Canada"

If you're going to celebrate your 100th birthday you might as well go big. The United States men's national team jumped out to a surprising 4-1 over Germany and then held on for a 4-3 win in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. A sold-out crowd of over 47,000 packed RFK Stadium and saw Jozy Altidore return to the score sheet for the USMNT and a deuce for captain Clint Dempsey. A comical own-goal in the middle of the first half completed the scoring.

The Nats resume qualifying for the 2014 World Cup this Friday against Jamaica. Kickoff at 9:30 ET on BeIN Sport.

Highlights:

Reaction:

Post Match Quotes

Reaction and analysis from some of American soccer's best writers:

Grant Wahl (Sports Illustrated) - "Three thoughts on the USA's friendly win over Germany"

The Shin Guardian - "USA 4 – Germany 3: Ten Things We Didn’t Learn On Sunday"

Steve Davis (Pro Soccer Talk) - "Three things that looked great for the United States vs. Germany … and three that didn’t"

Player Ratings:

Avi Creditor (Sports Illustrated)

Brian Sciaretta (New York Times)

Greg Seltzer (MLSSoccer.com)

Jeff Carlisle (ESPN)

One of the pleasures of international soccer and, subsequently beer writing, is that you get to explore the brews of your opponent in preparation for the Shakespearean prose you’ll have to scribe later. In the case of this last week’s United States men’s national team friendlies coach Jurgen Klinsmann couldn’t picked better opposition. On the soccer side of things, for American fans, last Wednesday’s match was a doozy and today’s match against Germany might be equally so, but on the beer fan side we’re talking about two of Europe’s boozy best.

Get it?

Soccer equals doozy. Sad face.

Beer is equals boozy. Happy face.

Today’s match is the perfect example of where we’re at as both a soccer nation and a brewing nation. This USMNT squad is led by a German coach with deep American roots and features a number of German-Americans (“Germericans” as Shawn Francis of “The Offside Rules” puts it) as the Nats struggle to find their identity as soccer team in the shadow of a world footballing power from the European continent. These Germans have left greener pastures to forge a new international career playing (or coaching) for the United States. The verdict is still out, but the future looks bright.

Whereas, in the brewing world, American craft brewers are more than holding their own in the face of hundreds of years of German brewing pedigree. In fact U.S. breweries are now successfully invading Germany and giving the land of the pilsner, bock, and Oktoberfest a run for their money as Germans and other Europeans demand to be liberated by hoppier and more innovative beers or just be challenged on their own turf as American craft brewers take on traditional German styles (Don’t get me wrong Germany still does “traditional” the best).

Invasion. Liberation. Tell me if you’ve heard this one before?

But you all didn’t come here for a history lesson (or did you?…. I do teach for a living). You came here for a beer lesson.

You can have both, though. This match is the Centennial match celebrating 100 years of the United States Soccer Federation.  A time to celebrate how far we’ve come as a soccer nation and look forward to what we still have to (and will) accomplish as a soccer nation. A nod to old traditions while establishing new ones.

Here we go again. USA vs. Germany

Here are a few of our favorite American beers with their own nods to German tradition:

- Victory Brewing Company “Prima Pils” Pilsner (Dowington, Pennsylvania)

- Firestone Walker Brewing Company “Pivo” Pilsner (Paso Robles, California)

- Hops and Grain Craft Brewery “Alteration” German-Style Alt (Austin, Texas)

- DC Brau/ Ska Brewing Company “Taster’s Choice” Coffee Doppelbock (Washington, D.C.)

- Rogue Ales “Dead Guy Ale” Maibock (Newport, Oregon)

- Lakefront Brewing Company “Riverwest Stein” Amber Lager/Oktoberfest (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

What are you all drinking with your USMNT soccer today?

Graphic Courtesy of "The American Outlaws"

Editor's Note: This is our "get fired up" post for US international matches. We re-post it for every US game. Share it with your friends.

Today's the day the U.S. Men's National Team takes the field in an international friendly in preparation of a summer full of World Cup Qualifiers and the 2013 Gold Cup

Today's the day they face Germany in our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

Today's the day we take the win and move on to the next match.

Today's the day that Howard will shine, Dempsey will lead, goals will be scored, and timely tackles will be made.

Today's the day we sit down with friends and fellow soccer fans and cheer on the home team.

Today's the day we invite someone new to come along and experience the power of a soccer match.

Today's the day they'll get a free cold one to enjoy while watching the sport we so desperately love and the team we'd follow to the ends of the earth (or Brazil!).

Today's the day we ask a non-soccer fan to join our footballing family.

The Free Beer Movement is about spreading the love of American soccer to all corners of the nation and no day is better than today. Today, the pride and joy of our nation's game takes the field in order to continue its push towards the greatest sporting spectacle of all-time, the World Cup.

The past, present, and future of American soccer all take the field today to join in one cause, to win, and to move on to the next level.

It is days like this we, as American soccer fans embrace, as our national team fights for our country's continued respect on the international stage and to stake a claim as the best team in North and Central America.

Games like today are bigger than any game; bigger than any MLS game, and bigger than your son or daughter's kick around in the park.

Our local colors blend. There are no more yellow and black of the Columbus Crew or orange and white of the Houston Dynamo or the black and red of DC United; today there is only RED, WHITE, and BLUE.

These are the days that our nation's best and brightest shine on the field for 90 minutes. For themselves, for soccer, but mostly for you... the American fan and their country... the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

These are the days that you have to get up as a soccer fan in America.

So grab you friends, grab those soccer fans, grab those ones you want to become soccer fans, and most importantly grab some really cold beers because today's the day we support our National Team and our national game we love so much.

Editor's Note: Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but It bends toward justice”. Sometimes we American soccer fans get wrapped up in the day-to-day, Monday morning quarterbacking (or centerbacking), knee-jerk reactions and miss out on the big picture. This weekly column will focus on picking out the larger themes and issues of Major League Soccer and the American game.

By Eric Betts / Senior Crystal Ball Correspondent

The best case scenario for soccer in America now that MLS has dropped its 20th team into the most-populous metropolitan area of the country won’t be twice-, thrice- or quarce-yearly trans-Hudson-and-Hackensack skirmishes the league has been salivating over since it started adding teams again.

These games will likely feature as high a quotient of recognizable names as any MLS game that didn’t involve David Beckham. They will be broadcast nationally and hyped heavily. They will be, the league hopes, at the tip-top of the list of prime draws in a new age of MLS on television.

That will all be nice. This announcement feels like a pivotal point because the names involved are so big, and because NYC2’s approach has felt a little something like Sir Lancelot storming our castle. Whether they’ll kill everyone now that they’re inside isn’t a completely ridiculous fear, but this is supposed to be a happy occasion, so let’s look on the bright side, shall we?

If the Red Bulls-Other City games break ratings records, that will be a good thing for the league. If they don’t, it will be a disappointing setback, but Don Garber will not commit seppuku in front of the NFL’s Manhattan offices. Casualties will be limited. The league will march on.

But where this rivalry may have the opportunity to break new and interesting ground is in their impending soft war. Judging by the initial reaction to the announcement, New York’s second MLS franchise and its wealthy backers will not be greeted as liberators when they arrive on these shores. The people who will be in charge of the new team know enough about modern sports fans to know that slapping NYCCICCIPPI or whatever on a building and a T-shirt does not make that franchise suddenly of that community; the big bosses in England are already sounding notes to that effect.

The campaign to win the hearts and minds of the people will have to go further than having Joe Hart and James Milner star in a new American Gladiators reboot. (A. Why is it always those two who get featured in the breakout videos? Sergio Aguero took some cuts too. B. Hart has a nice swing; Milner needs to raise his elbow more, but gets surprising power out of just his wrists.)

Instead, you’d imagine the first phase would be to capitalize and expand on the charity and development efforts City’s been putting into the city for the last several years. Nothing reverses public opinion on an obscenely wealthy Scrooge faster than throwing some of that money around for someone else’s benefit.

What efforts like this do is create goodwill, which makes people like your organization more, and when people like your organization more, they tend to wish it well almost despite themselves, even when your franchise is owned by two of the entities that people on two different continents have come to hate more than all the others as totems of everything wrong with the relationship between modern sports and money. That might not be totally fair, but you can see where there might be something of a likability gap that NYCFC is going to have to make up.

No amount of advertising can duplicate the goodwill the Timbers organization and their fans generated when they took it on the chin from the Green Machine earlier this season, or when the Sounders had to be saved by Electron Boy a few years back. (I don’t mean to suggest that either of these organizations did it for the publicity, but with the kind of publicity they got even just within the soccer world, God, why would you not participate in something like this?)

Goodwill doesn’t solve all of a franchise’s problems – it’s not a replacement for exposure – but it does help create new fans, something the New York teams are going to be in the market for. Sky blue turf fields for everyone!

Unless they get darker blue fields instead. It can’t be in the Red Bulls’ best interests to cede the eastern islands to this newcomer, even if their power base remains in New Jersey. They already offer initiatives like the vaguely-named Urban Soccer Program and the usual but important MLS Works stuff.

This is where the escalation could bring about a boon in the soccer community, because if Red Bulls and NYCFC invest in more soccer development it means we’ll see a broader spectrum of programs that can do more to make an impact in the lives of the people they serve.

It isn't outreach in the way we typically think of it, but it's safe to attach a similar motivation to why the NASL Cosmos franchise have attached their brand name to one of the niftier ideas in sports, the city-wide championship of pseudo-national teams formerly known as the Copa NYC. If the Cosmos decide they’re going to try to keep pace with their MLS counterparts, then the possibilities become even more varied.

New York City is already a hub of soccer and social change programs, from Street Soccer USA, which hosts the finals of its annual national tournament for homeless players in Times Square, to America Scores New York, which teaches kids about soccer, social work and poetry in a safe after-school environment.

When the clubs start really putting some effort into the field, the city and the surrounding area will become a laboratory for these programs, exposing new audiences to the game and doing good work through soccer in ways that can be exported to the rest of the country.

The border war will be the big show when NYCFC hits town, but the most important battles may be fought far from the front lines.

About Eric

Eric Betts is a freelancer writer who lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and his dog Lando (yup). He is a contributing writer for "The Other 87 Minutes", their brilliance featured every Tuesday on the Free Beer Movement in the form of "the Tuesday 10" or the "Tuesday XI". While attending Emory University he won "College Jeopardy"

The United States mens's national team learned some hard lessons in their 4-2 loss to Belgium Wednesday night in Cleveland, Ohio. The Nats fell behind early only to snag one goal back through defender Geoff Cameron. The wheels came off in the second half as the U.S. defense gave up three goals in a fifteen minute period. Clint Dempsey's late penalty was the sole consolation of a poor second half. 

The USMNT faces Germany on Sunday in their Centennial match from Washinton, D.C. before resuming World Cup Qualifying on Friday June 7th against Jamaica.

Geoff Cameron Goal:

Clint Dempsey Goal:

Reaction:

Post-Match Quotes

Reaction and analysis from some of American soccer's best writers:

Grant Wahl (Sports Illustrated) - "U.S. defense exposed in ugly friendly loss to Belgium"

Matthew Doyle (MLSSoccer.com) -  "Armchair Analyst: Three things we learned from the USMNT loss to Belgium"

Roger Bennett (ESPN) - "What we learned from the U.S. loss to Belgium"

Player Ratings:

Avi Creditor (Sports Illustrated)

Jeff Carlisle (ESPN)

Brian Sciaretta (New York Times)

Ives Galarcep (Soccer By Ives)

Photo Credit: SoccerChris.com

Editor's Note: This is our "get fired up" post for US international matches. We re-post it for every US match. Share it with your friends.

Today's the day the U.S. Men's National Team takes the field in an international friendly in preparation of a summer full of World Cup Qualifiers and the 2013 Gold Cup

Today's the day they face Belgium in Cleveland, Ohio.

Today's the day we take the win and move on to the next match.

Today's the day that Howard will shine, Dempsey will lead, goals will be scored, and timely tackles will be made.

Today's the day we sit down with friends and fellow soccer fans and cheer on the home team.

Today's the day we invite someone new to come along and experience the power of a soccer match.

Today's the day they'll get a free cold one to enjoy while watching the sport we so desperately love and the team we'd follow to the ends of the earth (or Brazil!).

Today's the day we ask a non-soccer fan to join our footballing family.

The Free Beer Movement is about spreading the love of American soccer to all corners of the nation and no day is better than today. Today, the pride and joy of our nation's game takes the field in order to continue its push towards the greatest sporting spectacle of all-time, the World Cup.

The past, present, and future of American soccer all take the field today to join in one cause, to win, and to move on to the next level.

It is days like this we, as American soccer fans embrace, as our national team fights for our country's continued respect on the international stage and to stake a claim as the best team in North and Central America.

Games like today are bigger than any game; bigger than any MLS game, and bigger than your son or daughter's kick around in the park.

Our local colors blend. There are no more yellow and black of the Columbus Crew or orange and white of the Houston Dynamo or the black and red of DC United; today there is only RED, WHITE, and BLUE.

These are the days that our nation's best and brightest shine on the field for 90 minutes. For themselves, for soccer, but mostly for you... the American fan and their country... the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

These are the days that you have to get up as a soccer fan in America.

So grab you friends, grab those soccer fans, grab those ones you want to become soccer fans, and most importantly grab some really cold beers because today's the day we support our National Team and our national game we love so much.

Graphic Credit: Untappd

By Joe Stange / Belgian Beer Expert

Amitié/Vriendschap

So, our Yanks host the Belgians tomorrow. It’s a friendly. It’s a Wednesday. These are three really superb reasons to drink.

International soccer friendlies are unique in the world of sport. No other game has anything like them. They are not glorified practices. They are not scrimmages. True, they count for much less than qualification or tournaments. And they give coaches a chance to test out lineups and tactics for more important games. But the whole point is that they get to do it—and we get to watch—in a real game environment. Or, real-ish. FIFA counts them toward its rankings, which are senseless, but that is not the same as meaningless.

(Belgium, by the way, is ranked 15th in the world these days. That surprises nobody more than it does the Belgians. That puts them over teams like Mexico, France, Brazil and, well, us. That might give them a reason to pop a Duvel with lunch, if they needed a reason. Fun fact: Belgians do not need a reason to pop a Duvel with lunch.)

Even so, it’s a friendly. A jovial word. It serves mutual interests of gearing up for more serious matches. But it sounds like a party. Hey fellas, mes amis/mijn vrienden, my folks are out of town, want to come over for a friendly?

If this were a World Cup match, counting for everything, I would say this: Drink American. Find the most distinctive, aromatic, citrus-hoppy session beer you can find and drink it all day, to fan the flames of mojo and karma, bowing in the direction of the Statue of Liberty.

But it’s not. It’s a friendly. It’s a collaborative thing. So don’t drink American. Drink Belgo-American.

Here is my lineup. I bring it strong. I ask only that Jürgen Klinsmann do the same, from now until October 15.

La Rulles Estivale. Gregory Verhelst of Brasserie La Rulles brews ales as Wallonian as they come, with one difference: He uses American hops. Why? Because he likes them best. The 75 cl bottles and panache say Belgium; the lemony-grapefruity flavor and aroma scream Pacific Northwest. Go for the Triple (8.4% abv) if you want something stronger, but my best advice is to buy two or more bottles of Estivale (5.2%). Share them with someone new to the game, or with nobody at all.

Senne Schieven IPA. The brewers at Brasserie de la Senne in Brussels are skilled masters in the use of hops, but typically they go for spicier, more subtle European varieties. With this beer they went West Coast, teaming up with Lost Abbey and Pizza Port in California for an American fruit-hop bomb done with Belgian class.

Market Garden Urban Garden Saison or Wahoo Wit. Hey, are you in Cleveland for the game? I’d like to think you are. If so, here is an option. I’ve never been but I hear really nice things about Market Garden. And there are a couple of Belgian-style beers on tap right this very minute.

Here I wanted to plug in something from Great Lakes, an undersung Cleveland craft brewery making quiet excellence since the Reagan years. It’s tough to find a more impressive pale ale than Burning River, for example, but who talks about it? Well, I would. Except that it would mess with this whole Belgo-American theme I have going here. Nothing Belgian-ish on tap there at the moment. I checked. Just for you. So, Market Garden it is. And there are mussels on the menu, Americanized with spicy sausage, cilantro and chili powder. Find them on the menu somewhere between the gravy-frites and beef-cheek sliders.

Those beers may not be easy to find, especially on short notice. Here are some others that might serve: Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel. Duvel Tripel Hop. New Belgium Belgo IPA. Boulevard Tank 7. Come to think of it: In a pinch, take anything from New Belgium in Fort Collins or Boulevard in Kansas City, two American companies with Belgian-born brewers at the helm.

In fact there are sorts of ideas and inspirations flowing back and forth between the American and Belgian brewing worlds these days. Maybe we can learn something from each other on the field as well. Another reason to drink, for those who need such things.

Here is another: mayonnaise on fries. Also: Wednesday.

I hear there’s another friendly on Sunday. Against who? Anybody know if they like beer?

About Joe

Joe Stange is a freelance journalist, frequent contributor to DRAFT Magazine, and co-author (with Tim Webb) of the upcoming Good Beer Guide Belgium, 7th edition. Follow him @Thirsty_Pilgrim if you’re, you know, into that sort of thing.

By Brian Wachholz / Senior Beer Rag Correspondent

South Africa 2010.  No matter where you were in the world, when American soccer fans saw Landon Donovan's strike hit the back of the net, beer went errrrrvrywhere. The pubs erupted with World Cup joy.  Lucky for us we don't have to wait four years for an equalizing moment.  Major League Soccer is jam-packed with amazing strikes, goals, headers, and golazos. Every week there are goals that make you leap out of your seat. Since great goals often come from the most unlikely of places you're often not prepared when that beer of yours goes tumbling over in that moment of goal-scoring ecstasy.

In the spirit of these unforgettable moments, we at the Free Beer Movement offer you a fitting pairing to replace that spilt pint.  Each week we bring you a carefully selected beer to go perfectly with the best scoring moments MLS has to offer.  Enjoy responsibly.

Goal of the Week Eleven: Thierry Henry – New York Red Bulls

In one of the least shocking results so far this season, Thierry Henry wins the 2013 Goal of the Week Award for week #11 with his planted bicycle kick against the Montreal Impact.

Purists may call this one an overhead kick since he wasn’t completely airborne before contact with the ball, but it looked like a bicycle and it’s been called a bicycle.  Regardless of labels, Henry makes television magic with yet another fantastic finish in MLS.  There isn’t much to say about this goal in text.  New York’s Juninho serves up a corner kick which bounces off the head of Markus Holgersson to arrive at Henry.  Titi does not disappoint with the final move to score for NY1.

In memory of your dearly departed drink, we here at the Free Beer Movement suggest you replenish your Spilt Pint with a can of "Shift" Pale Lager from the New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado).  This brewery has a bicycle in its logo and is well known for its flagship Fat Tire beer, also represented by a bicycle on the label.  It doesn’t get much more obvious than this.  Shift is the beer of choice because (aside from the bicycle imagery) we are teetering on the edge of summer, and we will need plenty of portable brews to take out into the wild blue yonder.  Just as NYRB and Thierry prepare for a winning spell through the summer, Shift will lift you into the sunshine with its accessibility and lightness.  This isn’t your daddy’s pale lager, however.  Shift comes in on a solid 29 IBUs; utilizing four types of American hops to balance this beverage for your enjoyment.

New Belgium is distributed widely across the country.  Visit their beer finder tool if you have trouble finding it near you.

Get out in the sunshine, grab a beer, and have a great summer!  Cheers!

Photo Credit: The Guardian (UK)

It's not surprising that some of the world's greatest fans of beer are, of course, going to be fans of the Free Beer Movement. On our old site the evidence of the Germany-FBM alliance was overwhelming and we continue gathering more and more stories of "FBM in Action" in Deutchland.

Today it comes from German fans road-tripping to London for the Champions League Final between two German sides, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. As expected these fans have their priorities straight packing the luggage compartment of their tour bus with beer and not, well, luggage. That's how you spread the free beer love and soccer for sure.

Quite a turn-a-round for Bayern who we featured in 2009 as "FBM in Action" when they gave away 7,000 liters of beer to fans as an apology for their worst start to the club season in 43 years.

(h/t to "The Original Winger" for this find)

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Soccer Correspondent

The Champiooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooons! That’s right, this Saturday brings the final of the Champions League, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund meeting at Wembley to decide who lifts the trophy. But considering you’ve landed on a soccer site, you almost certainly knew that already.

In fact, you most likely already know all you need to know about the Champions League final. In case you don’t, here’s a quick summary: Dortmund are the mighty underdogs. They’ve been called “hipster” so many times that they’ve gone mainstream, with hipsters now seeking  to replace them with another side boasting amazing support and brightly colored kits. Bayern, meanwhile, ran away with the Bundesliga. They took 91 points from a possible 102, losing just once (!) to Bayer Leverkusen back in October. Bayern scored 98 goals in the league while allowing just 18 past. This is, to put it mildly, an incredible side.

But, again, you know this. You come to Free Beer Movement for something even more important than soccer knowledge: to learn exactly which beers to drink while watching the game. So let’s delay no further.

Bayern fans

One of Bayern’s primary sponsors is Paulaner, one of the six breweries that supplies beer for Oktoberfest. Now, clearly it is not the time of year during which one can usually find Oktoberfest beers, but if you’re trying to raise a glass to FCB, you need to at least make an effort. The Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier is available in bottles and cans, so you might be able to find some at your local German bar. If not, go ahead and look for the Paulaner Original Münchner Hell, a classic Munich beer. This lager is a bit lighter than the Oktoberfest (4.9% ABV as opposed to 6% ABV), but you might want a session beer for this match, particularly if you’re getting to the bar early to grab a seat.

This Paulaner is technically classified as a “Munich Helles Lager,” which is simply a sub-category of a pale lager. These beers are similar to a traditional Czech Pils, with spicy hops, although they have a bit more malts than a pilsner. The Paulaner stays true to the style, with more biscuit and vanilla than hops in the aroma, with the same coming out in the taste. It’s got a subtle, dry hop finish and is perfect as a session beer.

BVB fans

Dortmund, as far as I can tell, does not have a beer manufacturer as one of their sponsors (but one of their first kit sponsors was a cigarette manufacturer, so if that’s your thing…). Like BVB, their homeland, North-Rhine-Westphalia, comes in second to Bavaria when it comes to contributions to Germany’s beer production and styles. But also like BVB, that doesn’t mean there’s not hope of finding something fantastic, of unearthing a diamond overshadowed by its shinier Southern counterparts.

Of course, one of the most common styles of the region is a Kölsch‎, most popular further south, in Cologne. Dortmund actually has its own beer style, known as “Dortmunder”, but it’s almost impossible to find in the U.S.  It is, however, fairly similar to a Pils. Veltins, which makes a great pilsner, also comes from the area, but we can’t have you drinking the beer that sponsors Schalke’s stadium, now, can we?

With that in mind, let’s hoist an Altbier in honor of BVB. Sure, the stuff is primarily brewed in Düsseldorf, but we don’t want yet another Pils – we must stand out from the Bayern fans. Altbiers are more or less the equivalent of an English Ale and the best do a great job of balancing sweet malts with spicy hops. It’s not very common to find a German altbier on tap, unless you’re in a German-style pub, but you’re in luck: Widmer, Victory and Two Brothers all produce decent versions of the style. But if you can manage to find Uerige Doppel Sticke, grab it – it’s possibly more like a barley wine, with lots of caramel malts, but it’s a great brew and weighs in at 8.5% ABV.

Neutrals

How can you be neutral during one of the biggest matches of the soccer season? Bite the bullet and choose a side. If need be, try both the recommended beers and then make your decision. But if anyone asks why you support one of the sides, be sure to say you’ve been a fan since you were wrapped in [B____]’s kit after the doctor pulled you from your mother’s womb.

About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, am a bit obsessed with my "33 Beers" notebooks, and love my Untappd app. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook.

As for the soccer, I'm the cofounder of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, as well as the editor of SB Nation Italy. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!

Editor's Note: Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but It bends toward justice”. Sometimes we American soccer fans get wrapped up in the day-to-day, Monday morning quarterbacking (or centerbacking), knee-jerk reactions and miss out on the big picture. This weekly column will focus on picking out the larger themes and issues of Major League Soccer and the American game.

By Eric Betts / Senior Crystal Ball Correspondent

There’s still a certain, in some places significant, portion of the sports-going population in this country who will look at you funny when you try to explain the U.S. Open Cup to them.

WIth apologies to the diehards who have been there since Bethlehem Steel was winning tournaments, the vast majority of us have stumbled into the tournament in recent years as supporters or rational soccer-watching beings. This alone is enough to engender some skepticism in the part of the population that believes sporting loyalties are passed down like color-blindness or gingerism, through the bloodlines. They don’t believe in the kind of willful generational shift the USOC has seen that has boosted interest in the tournament in recent years. 

Because make no mistake, people should be watching. The tournament has a lot going for it. There’s its history for one – the 100th edition this year! – but to say that we should care about the 2013 running because of all that history is an argument only a baseball person could love, and ignores the ways the Cup combines some of the elements we love most in our sports, including:

Single elimination format: Single elimination makes everything from Pinewood Derbies to Mortal Kombat better. We love it so much we spend the entire month of March voting , and by the year 2024, presidential primaries will be held as a series of four online votes rather than on a state-by-state basis as each party winnows its bracket of 16 contenders down to a lone presidential candidate.

Underdogs:  Last time I wrote about the difficulties involved in projecting a player’s performance at different levels of competition. Here’s a chance to find out firsthand what happens when some young amateurs or career lower-leaguers go up against teams a couple of levels up on the pyramid, giving those of us who ordinarily couldn’t care less about a midweek May game between two Midwest teams the slightest bit of a rooting interest to serve as a foothold into the match.

Rivalries: With those underdogs comes a whole new ecosystem of local or regional grudge matches. Last Tuesday, PDL darlings FC Tucson dropped in-state rivals and USL-Pro debutantes Phoenix FC in the first USOC game either team has ever played. Last season’s fourth-round featured a much-anticipated grudge match between eventual-finalists Seattle and their bitter regional rivals...Cal FC?

But caring about the USOC is still a learned response. As sports fans in America, we’re trained not to give a crap about assorted cups and prizes. Why should our team waste energy and resources competing for a trophy when trophies are what everyone gets at the end of the T-ball season for participating?

Our sporting landscape is littered with adjunct and inessential competitions: all-star games in every sport, 34 out of 35 college football bowl games, the AFC South. Quick, name the last three winners of the Maui Invitational? Do they still have the Maui Invitational? How about the World Baseball Classic; is that still a thing?

Even those of us who care deeply about the world of soccer hold onto some of these attitudes. If you’re like me, then more than one of the soccer people you follow on Twitter thought they were being super-clever when they congratulated Chelsea for winning the European NIT on Wednesday. That’s a little unfair – no one knows who won the 2013 NIT – but even UEFA is making noise about trying to find more efficient ways of making money than a second-class tournament.

For us, the currency of success is championships. The only trophies that matter are the larger, more famous ones that come with titles, the ones that Yankees teams the world over can shove straight up their you-know-where. I grew up a Braves fan, and the regret I feel looking at this picture outweighs the pride. (Yes, we were spoiled and Atlanta is on the whole a terrible baseball city. But still.)

Which is what makes the USOC interesting from a sporting perspective: By existing in that gap between top-level championship and utter insignificance, it pushes us to ask what makes a competition matter in the first place. Is it the stakes or the audience? Whose caring matters more, the players or the fans?

There are some fans who care deeply about their team’s fate in the USOC, and some for whom it would be a nifty bonus, the cherry on top of a successful season. I don’t question the first group’s passion, though I do believe that passion stems more than a little from passive overseas peer pressure; namely, that our model soccer nations all have high-stakes cup competitions that supporters care deeply about, so clearly since we are becoming a soccer nation ours should be high-stakes and deeply-cared-about as well.

Here’s the thing: The U.S. Open Cup doesn’t have to matter for you to appreciate its benefits. It’s a well-constructed and wonderfully fun sporting event on its own. The next time someone looks at you funny, that’s all you need to say.

By Brian Wachholz / Senior Beer Rag Correspondent

South Africa 2010.  No matter where you were in the world, when American soccer fans saw Landon Donovan's strike hit the back of the net, beer went errrrrvrywhere. The pubs erupted with World Cup joy.  Lucky for us we don't have to wait four years for an equalizing moment.  Major League Soccer is jam-packed with amazing strikes, goals, headers, and golazos. Every week there are goals that make you leap out of your seat. Since great goals often come from the most unlikely of places you're often not prepared when that beer of yours goes tumbling over in that moment of goal-scoring ecstasy.

In the spirit of these unforgettable moments, we at the Free Beer Movement offer you a fitting pairing to replace that spilt pint.  Each week we bring you a carefully selected beer to go perfectly with the best scoring moments MLS has to offer.  Enjoy responsibly.

Goal of the Week Ten: Luis Gil – Real Salt Lake

Major League Soccer fans awarded Real Salt Lake's Luis Gil the 2013 Goal of the Week Award for week #10.  The RSL midfielder headed home his second goal of the year; this time against the Vancouver Whitecaps.  In this goal sequence the ball only touches three RSL players start to finish.  It begins on the home endline with GK Nick Rimando blasting a goal kck forward across the pitch.  As the whole RSL offense bombs forward, Joao Plata catches the ball as it slows outside the Whitecaps’ 18 yard box.  He sends in the cross to a fleet-footed Luis Gil who is crashing the box like a bull in a china shop.  Gil heads the ball into the net with his last bit of energy before rolling to the ground from a collision with Joe Cannon.

This teenager is stacked to the gills with talent.  In his honor (and your soggy socks) we at the Free Beer Movement recommend you replace your "Spilt Pint" with a Ballast Point brew.  Ballast Point Brewing Co (San Diego, CA) originates from Southern California, much like our young, goal-scoring prodigy.  All of their beverages are fantastic, but the "Wahoo" Wheat Beer is the recommendation this week.  Summer is quickly approaching, so it is time to start transitioning your taste buds to the refreshing flavors of hefeweizens (as well as other summery beer categories).  We like “Wahoo” because it succinctly summarizes the end to end sprinting motion of Gil’s bombing header and subsequent spiral to the turf.

Ballast Point is available across the country at better beer stores and bars.  Pick one up today.  

Until the next one… cheers to good beer and good goals!

D.C. United, in collaboration with DC Brau Brewing Company announced that DC Brau will brew a limited edition D.C. United specific beer. While the beer is currently without a name, D.C. United fans have the opportunity to name the new brew. Fans can submit their suggestions at "Brand the Brew" on the United website.

The special DC Brau craft beer, a golden ale, is crafted specifically for D.C. United and its fans to enjoy. One thousand gallons of the beer will be produced and will be made available exclusively at participating D.C. United official bar partners and at the DC Brau Brewing Company.

“My motivation for making this particular beer with D.C. United came from a willingness to make an ale that all soccer fans can enjoy,” said DC Brau President and Head Brewer Jeff Hancock. “United fans drink all kinds of different beer, and with this particular ale I wanted it to reach a broad spectrum of palettes from those who drink everything from light lagers to hoppy pale ales. There's a little something for everybody in this Golden Ale!”

The D.C. United “Brand the Brew” contest launched yesterday, and will run until May 29. The final list of fan suggestions will be given to a panel of D.C. United players to choose the winning name to appear on beer. The winner will receive a field-side D.C. United gameday experience for two and bragging rights for naming the new D.C. United and DC Brau beer. The brew is planned to become available for order on June 11.

“The unifying factor between D.C. United and DC Brau is the same element that connects both of us to our fans,” said DC Brau CEO Brandon Skall. “Pride: Pride in what we produce, pride in our city and pride in ourselves!”

“Anyone who walks through the Lot 8 tailgate will undoubtedly see DC Brau’s distinctive silver cans and Capitol Dome logo in the hands of our most ardent fans,” said D.C. United Marketing Manager Andrew Minucci. “The quality of their product is what our fans demand and we are excited to quench their thirst by combining the beer they crave with the team they love.”

Beer Specs

Classification: Ale

Approx. ABV: 4.5-5.0%

IBU’s: 15

Hops: U.S. Fuggle, U.S. Cascade

Malts: Pale, CaraPils

At the Free Beer Movement we aren't content with just helping "build American soccer one beer at a time". We're also focused on doing more with our organization.

That means using the power of suds for social change.

On Wednesday, May 29th we're hosting "Good Brews, Social Change" (link to RSVP on Facebook) in FBM HQ's Austin, Texas at Hops and Grain Craft Brewery. Hops and Grain is one of Austin's best breweries and they've got a World Beer Cup Gold Medal to prove it (for their flagship "Alt-eration" a German alt beer).

"Good Brews, Social Change" is being held to benefit the Homeless World Cup, a global organization that serves over 250,000 players in over 70 countries. The founder of the Homeless World Cup, Mel Young, is in Austin to be the keynote speaker at the North American Society for Sport Management and before that speech we're hosting him at Hops and Grain for a meet-and-greet.

From 5pm to 9pm a $20 donation will get you in the door, a Hops and Grain pint glass (for you to keep), and five pours of any of their great beers on tap.

Plus you get to mingle with us.... and Mel, too.

And don't worry we'll have the U.S. men's game versus Belgium on somewhere, too.

If you can't make the event, but would still like to help the Homeless World Cup and support their mission please make a donation through their website.

We hope you'll join us for our first philianthropic effort (minus all the soccer and beer Kickstarter projects we've funded!) and use the power of beer and soccer for even more good.

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent

It’s not the Champions League final. It’s not even the most exciting match on tap this week. Yet the Europa League final means midweek soccer and the chance to drink beers in the afternoon, so there’s no reason to miss Wednesday’s game. Besides, there’s something strangely compelling about the match between Chelsea and Benfica.

First of all, it’s not every year that last season’s Champions League winners crash out of the group stages and wind up in the Europa League final. Most managers would’ve crawled into a corner to lick their injured pride, but Rafa Benitez outfitted Fernando Torres in a Zorro mask and went charging through Thursday nights. Something about his superhero costume perked Zorres right up, and the Blues cruised through courtesy of his goals – although, it must be said, Chelsea was quite generous about allowing their opponents back into every match.

Then there’s Benfica, who haven’t lifted a European trophy in 51 years. They last won the European Cup in 1962, with Bela Guttmann at the helm. But after beating Real Madrid, the Hungarian demanded a pay raise. When Benfica refused, Guttmann left, but not before cursing the club, claiming they’d never boast of European glory again. Interestingly enough, Benfica have made it to a European final six times since Guttmann’s pronouncement – will this seventh time finally see them break the curse?

Of course, we all know what’s most important about the Europa League final: the beer you choose to sip while watching. With the match taking place in Amsterdam, you might be tempted to grab a Heineken. Resist this urge. There’s really nothing that sets Heineken apart from Budweiser or Coors, except that it comes in a prettier bottle. You can do better.

For the best Dutch beer, you’ll need to find La Trappe, which has almost certainly been written about on this site before – but it’s pretty close to perfection, so I make no apologies. La Trappe used to be called Koningshoeven in the U.S., but the brewery realized absolutely no one outside of Holland could pronounce the beer, and made the smart decision to use La Trappe. Koningshoeven actually brews eight beers (try Isid’or if you get the chance) but usually the only one you can find in the States is the quadrupel.

Prior to sitting down to write this column, I had no idea that the “quad” style was modeled on the La Trappe Quad. It’s the prototype, and while other brewers can gussy theirs up with added fruits or oaked barrels, they’ve yet to make a simple quadrupel as flawless as this one. Be sure you pour it into your Trappist glass – come on, we’re all beer snobs here, and you know you’ve got one – and don’t be worried when there’s little or no head. Instead, take a big whiff. Mmmm…caramel apples. Sure, you can fancy up that description with “Belgian yeast” or “spiced dark fruits,” but really, it’s caramel apples.

Now, time to taste. Despite a 10% ABV, the alcohol in this quad isn’t at all overwhelming. The taste has some of that caramel you’ve been smelling, along with raisins and plums. It’s not too sweet though, ending on a slightly bitter note and leaving a bit of an alcohol burn behind.

About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, am a bit obsessed with my "33 Beers" notebooks, and love my Untappd app. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook.

As for the soccer, I'm the cofounder of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, as well as the editor of SB Nation Italy. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year".

Perhaps that was being spoken about a different season on the calendar, but American Craft Beer Week kicks off.... this week..... across.... well... America.

Events in all 50 states celebrate the small and independent craft brewer and the Free Beer Movement is ready to celebrate as well.

We're ready to do our soccer and beer thing with two local soccer matches (the USL PDL Austin Aztex in the U.S. Open Cup and their home opener) and loads of American craft beer at the ready.

What are you doing to celebrate American Craft Beer Week?