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?

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.

By Brian Wachholz / Senior Beer Rag Correspondent

Goal of the Week Nine: Jonathan Osorio – Toronto FC

Canadian dude extraordinaire Jonathan Osorio rides away with the 2013 "Goal of the Week" award for week nine.  Osorio, born in Toronto, Ontario, is plying away his debut in the league with his hometown club, Toronto FC.  This is his second goal of the season.

The play originated with a free kick in the attacking half against the New York Red Bulls.  The ball was played in to the mixer from distance, and Luis Robles whiffed the punch clearance.  The ball fell to a red foot and was instantly passed out of the box to an eager Osorio.  The rookie side stepped an on-rushing NYRB defender to give him a tiny bit of breathing room to let loose a precision strike to thread the gap between (a slightly recovered) Robles and the crossbar.

In honor of this goal and your floor-beer now seeping into the carpet, we here at the Free Beer Movement recommend you replace your spilt pint with the best of the best Canadian flavors.  Founders Brewing Company’s “Canadian Breakfast Stout” (Grand Rapids, Michigan), or CBS for short.  This brew has topped the international tasting charts with some of the highest ratings found on the interwebs.  It drips of maple and bourbon, having been aged in each before being put out to the masses.  If you are lucky enough to snag a bottle, savor it as you would Osorio’s wondrous effort.  Cheers!

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

One of the toughest things to do as a soccer watcher is to project. How will a player performing well on Field A for Team 1 will do if placed on Field B and Team 2?

Even the people who are paid to make these judgments at the highest levels have a far from sterling success rate. For us amateurs, it can feel like the height of foolishness even to guess whether the way-better-than-everyone-on-the-field girl at pickup is former-Division-1 or former-Division-III good, much less whether someone who’s scoring consistently in MLS will be able to repeat the feat for the U.S. team or in the Premier Bundesligue A.  

So then it’s a little satisfying to see a pair of players we had pegged for success three tiers down move on to MLS and do pretty well in their first two months in the league. Those of us who live in Austin got to see two of the young season’s promising rookies, Dillon Powers and Kekuta Manneh.

It didn’t take the Football Manager database to figure that out those two had futures at a higher level, not when they were the two best players on the field every time they stepped on it. (The Aztex had a third player drafted in the first round, Blake Smith at number 8 to the Impact. I get Smith’s strengths, but given the choice I would have taken Powers and ran with him, positional needs be damned.) We’ve covered their influence on the Aztex here before. 

Last year I saw Manneh do this in Houston live, mere minutes after he stepped onto the field for the first time and just hours after he actually joined the team. It was like those teams who show up for the finals of a rec league season with that one guy who hasn’t been to any of the previous games. And that guy starts juggling as he jogs around the field to warm up. Manneh Manneh indeed.

With Manneh and Powers it may have been easy, but this projection is supposedly one of our weak points as a soccer-culture. As the narrative goes, we see kids who are bigger, stronger or faster than everyone they’re competing against and decide they could probably cut it at the next level, while Lil Messi and Xavi Jr. ...sorry... while Young Schweinsteiger and Mini-Reus are left picking up the discarded Capri Sun husks. (I sense a wonderful Muppet Babies/JL8-esque web show coming on.)

Those physical gifts obviously help when making the jump. Manneh demonstrated with his assist Saturday that being significantly faster than your opponent is an advantage no matter how old you are. Similarly Kei Kamara, who’s off doing his best Iron Fist impression with Norwich City, has discovered that just because the Premier League is the “Best League in the World” (© 2008) doesn’t mean the defenders can jump any higher than they do in MLS. On the other hand, ask Brad Davis, or even Omar Gonzalez for a while there, about what it’s like to be too slow for international play. The technical skills that come with constant (and year-round) practice at a higher level are slowly learned, but speed kills on day one.

You’ve likely heard all the reasons our system has trouble picking out these gems: inexperienced coaching at the youngest ages, overemphasis on winning rather than player development, poor playing surfaces hampering touch, close control and passing. Because of that difficulty we seem to be trying option B: Teach everyone the technical stuff, and then siphon off the ones who picked it up and are still strong and fast. That’s what newly triumphant Germany appears to have done. Young Schweinsteiger (It’s pronounced Schweinst-ee-ger) would be playing forward and goalie and probably point guard and quarterback long after his more diminutive Spanish counterparts had been relegated to the number eight shirt on the Chess Club.

We do need to do more to find and polish those less-obvious gems, but for now it’s a strategy that makes sense for American soccer. If you’ve traditionally produced athletes, then why not take those known commodities and try to make them better rather than reaching for a kind of player we may not even be able to find?

The Austin Aztex begin their second PDL season next weekend in Oklahoma City. I have no idea how many future first round picks we’ll find on the field here this season, but I’m looking forward to trying to figure it out.

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"

D.C. United is embracing the Free Beer Movement in their latest gameday promotion!

For just $44 you can get two tickets and two FREE BEERS for next Wednesday's (May 8th, 7pm ET) match against the two-time defending Eastern Conference champion Houston Dynamo.

That's a great deal, and in the spirit of the FBM philosophy.

Even better, though? We're giving away two of the FBM-esque packages for Wednesday's game.

Yup, that's FREE BEER and FREE TICKETS for you and a friend! Why not make it an epic FBM night and bring a newbie and show 'em what American soccer is all about?

Entering the contest is simple. Just tweet at us the following:

"Hey @FreeBeerMovemnt... I want free tickets and free beer from @DCUnited! #FBMDC"

Want a second chance to enter? Like us on Facebook and comment on the D.C. United ticket post.

It's that simple!

A great contest, great American soccer, and a chance to practice the Free Beer Movement in action!

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.

By Brian Wachholz / Senior Beer Rag Correspondent

Goal of the Week #8: Javier Morales – Real Salt Lake

Javier Morales nets a rare headed goal for this eighth edition of the 2013 Major League Soccer "Goal of the Week" Award.  The play starts on a failed counter attack from Chivas USA.  Morales takes off with the give-away when Eric Avila slips at the centerline.  Three short passes sets the ball at the feet of Álvaro Saborío who sends in the cross.  Morales, who never stops running during this play, loses his mark at that exact moment to head the ball past Dan Kennedy for the eventual game-winner and lone goal of the match.

This is only the Real Salt Lake midfielder’s third headed goal in his career.  In his honor, we at the Free Beer Movement recommend you replace your spilt pint with a superior beverage from local Salt Lake City outfit: Epic Brewing.  The beer of choice comes from Epic’s “Elevated Series” of brews because no regular everyday drink is worthy of Morales’ constant effort for RSL.  The Argentine has been a near constant presence for the team, creating positive impact every season since joining MLS in 2007.  We’re having a bit of fun this week suggesting that the “Brainless" Belgian-Style Golden Ale represents Javier’s latest award in a whimsical way.  This is a pairing that is ironic in the sense that Javier is an incredibly intelligent athlete with some of the best vision and positioning awareness in the league.  However, the distinction is literal since he almost never scores a headed goal (his physical brain-cage) theretofore… an oft brainless striker.

You can find Epic beers in 12 states plus the District of Columbia.  Check out their beer directory to see if it is available near you.

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

(For those of you born before 1981.)

Why stop at Chicharito?

If we’re going to set off a silly debate every time we compare Jack McInerney to a more established forward, then why not earn it? Six goals in seven games? Let’s declare him the American Inzaghi, the Klose from Chattanooga, the Philadelph-Owen. We should scrap the Jack Mac nickname so we can start calling him the B-29, Der Amerikanische Bomber.

Is it too soon? Yes, absolutely. We’re looking for the ceiling when we don’t even know where the floor is. Worse things have happened. 

I think we’re fascinated with McInerney because his skill-set seems to be so ingrained. His Spidey-sense combination of anticipation, positioning and three-step acceleration encapsulates what it must be like to be a footballing natural: Right place, right time, two touches and a goal. It sounds so simple, but if it was the kind of stuff they could teach, then everyone would be able to do it.

Even better, as everyone you know has likely pointed out over the course of the last week, it’s a skill-set that seems sorely lacking (or at least pushed out thanklessly onto the left wing) from the U.S. national team right now. He’s young, he’s American, he can put the ball into the back of the net. Who can ask for anything more?

Well, that’s kind of the point. Should we be asking for something more?

Javier Hernandez may be playing for the ninth-best team in Europe, but that’s only when he does play. So far this year that’s been eighteen times in the league: seven starts and eleven substitute appearances. You can count on one hand the number of players who would start over Robin Van Persie right now and still have fingers left over to double-check your work, but RVP has played roughly four times as many English minutes as the Little Pea this year. Danny Welbeck has eight more appearances and 500 more minutes, even though Chicharito’s scored eight times to Welbeck’s one.

That’s because Chicharito’s experiencing firsthand something fans and pundits and Jonathan Wilson have been discussing for years: In the modern game, it’s not enough to just score goals. Space has been squeezed out, fewer teams play the high lines that allowed players like Owen to thrive in space behind them, and most importantly, the emphasis many teams are placing on possession means everyone has to contribute in the build-up to keep their teams from playing 10 v 11.

Forwards have to bring something else to the table: the ability to hold the ball up or drop deep to help retain possession, to move to the flanks to overload fullbacks or one-touch through balls to onrushing teammates. Goalscoring is the number one objective, but the most successful teams need players who can also fulfill 1b and 1c on the gameplan.

There lies the concern with McInerney; what else might he eventually be able to bring to the table? McInerney’s goals so far this season fall broadly into one of two categories: tap-ins from inside (sometimes well inside) the 18 or well-timed surges beyond defenders, both of which require him to be at the tip of the spear, not out on the flanks or between the lines.

Compare McInerney’s passing from the game against DC (granted, in 77 minutes) to one of Will Bruin’s (also against DC) or Juan Agudelo’s (against Chicago, his last full game) and it’s easy to see the array of crosses, lay-offs and flick-ons that the other young forwards have incorporated into their game that McInerney isn’t asked to do for the Union. He has fewer key passes and chances created than either of those others in more minutes of playing time.

You might rightly point out that that’s not what he’s asked to do in Philly; that’s what Conor Casey’s for. And indeed, McInerney has thrived with the big man partnering him. Casey has assisted on two of Jack’s six and played a key flick to Danny Cruz to set up another. Will he require such a partner with the national team to be successful? (Can I nominate a certain 18-year-old target forward in L.A., giving the U.S. it’s very own Jack-Jack Attack, featuring a Big and Little Mac? Headline writers everywhere are salivating at the prospect.) If he does, then would he get such a partner? The U.S. in the JK plays mostly with one striker up top and another in the hybrid forward-left-wing role Robinho used to play for Brazil than a partnership.

More importantly, though goal-scoring is in short supply at the moment, the transition process Klinsmann has attempted to put the team through – from more reactive to more proactive, a style closer to that of the world’s heavyweights (Not you, England) – mean’s there’s even less room for a poacher in the lineup. Mario Gomez is pretty good, but Germany has been experimenting with Mario Gotze as a nominal striker anyway. The additional qualities that Bruin or Agudelo bring to the fold might give them the edge on the depth chart, even if they were to score at a Heskeyian pace.

In other words, McInerney’s stock is rising at a time when the team has the stated goal of evolving beyond him. He’s a steampunk striker; an awesome relic of an earlier era built in a world that’s already moved beyond him, like a coal-burning pocket watch or a nuclear zeppelin.

Can he adapt his game? The flip side of saying that he’s young and this current run might be unsustainable is that he’s young and still has time to adapt and grow. His savant’s knack for intra-box movement could be adapted to open space not just for him but for his teammates as well. He can still add elements to his game, a wicked right-footed cross or expanded vision that shifts between field panorama and laser-like focus on the corners of the goal.

During the build-up to 2012’s failed Olympic bid, Caleb Porter used McInerney sparingly on the wings in his 4-3-3, a goal-scoring counterbalance to a more traditional winger such as a Brek Shea or Joe Gyau just as Eddie Johnson or Herculez Gomez are used opposite Landon Donovan or Graham Zusi. But Klinsmann’s system requires more defensive work out of these wide players so that Clint Dempsey can stay high, and that would pull McInerney away from the places where his Spider-sense goes tingling. Could he balance those two duties?

Any of these adjustments could jeopardize his chances of becoming the American Chicharito. The right one, though, could turn him into something much more.

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"

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

In the world of modern football, certain matches are labeled “derbies” and played with as much – often even more – venom as those that involve cross-town rivals. There are different types of these fake derbies. Some take the form of a regional rivalry, such as the Revierderby between Schalke and Dortmund, or the Derby du Rhône, between ASSE and Lyon. Then there are the derbies between clubs that traditionally lead the league, including the Derby della Italia featuring Juventus and Inter Milan, or everyone’s favorite match, when Barcelona and Real Madrid play out El Clasico.

But even in the post-globalization era, in which we’re all watching the same match at the same time and making the same pithy comments on Twitter, there’s something more compelling about an intra-city derby. Sure, you can mock your friends long-distance when, for example, LA Galaxy and DC United meet. It’s likely that Manchester United and Chelsea supporters wind up working in the same office, even outside of England. Yet spending a weekend treating your neighbor, who came over just yesterday to share a six-pack, like he’s your greatest enemy…well, that’s the magic of a real derby.

This weekend brings a couple good derby matches. The first, on Saturday, is El Derbi Madrileño. Atlético Madrid are just three points back of rivals Real. Sure, it doesn’t really matter which side gets second and which gets third, but the point here is pride, people. And if Atlético get those three points in a derby, so much the better.

Then on Sunday, we have the Derby della Mole, played between Torino and Juventus. Sadly, this match is very near meaningless: if Juve win and Napoli lose, Juventus will clinch the scudetto. Torino, fresh out of Serie B, are simply happy to be almost safe from relegation. But if il granata manage to delay the victory parades through Turin, Torino will have to consider their season a success.

This weekend’s derbies call for a different sort of direction than I had you take during #RivalryWeek, when you were encouraged to find beer from the opposing city and give it a taste. Intra-city derbies should be all about the strong ales, as a touch of tipsiness is essential when thinking up the clever one-liners necessary to sink the opposition.

Belgian beers are often the best to choose when seeking this particular style. They might be a bit expensive, but since they taste great and you’ll drink less of them, it’s worth paying a little extra. Standard Belgians come in dubbels, tripels and quadrupels. The quads usually weigh in around 10%, but the best ones manage not to overpower the palate with heavy alcohol tastes. One of the bests is a Rochefort 10, a trappist beer that’s fairly easy to track down. The Rochefort has a fantastic aroma of dark fruits, mostly plum and raisin. The taste balances the fruits with chocolate and caramel malts, but with a slightly bitter finish, it manages not to be too sweet.

If you’re looking to buy a six-pack you can share with your non-enemy neighbors, give New Belgium Brewing Co.'s Trippel (Fort Collins, CO) a try. Often New Belgium standards are a bit boring, but, as could be assumed from the name of the brewery, they’ve managed to create a solid tripel. There’s nothing flashy about this one, but it stays true to the style, with candy-sugar aromas and plenty of caramel malts in the taste. It’s spiced with coriander, which keeps the sweetness from being overpowering.
Finally, if you love derbies as much as I do, be sure to check out two of the most heated, coming up in the next couple weeks. In Istanbul, expect to pay a high premium if you need to purchase a flare around May 11, when Fenerbahçe hosts Galatasaray. Just a few days later, on May 17, Belgrade batters down the hatches as Partizan and Red Star meet in a match that could very well determine which side will grab the title.

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!

By Collin Mall / Senior "Kiss The Cook" Correspondent

Okay time for this recipe. I have to admit, I enjoyed the way these ribs came out, but all my friends and family have said these are the best ribs I’ve ever made. These are a Kansas City style baby back rib with a Boulevard Wheat beer mop and BBQ sauce.

Apologies, but this is a long recipe, in time that is. So if you can take off a friday, prep these ribs, read your soccer blogs, and enjoy some craft beer it will make the time go by faster.

Ingredients:

2 racks of Baby back pork ribs
1 1/2 cup of Brown sugar
3/4 cup of paprika
2 tbs of black pepper
2 tbs of Kosher salt
2 tbs of onion powder
2 tbs of chili powder
2 tbs of garlic powder
1 1/2 cayenne pepper (if you like spice)

1) Figure out when you would like to cook these ribs because they require a day of “rest.”

2) Combine all ingredients and mix well.

3) The night before cooking your ribs, apply a thin layer of spice mixture to the ribs and wrap in plastic wrap, let rest over night in your refrigerator. This will let the brown sugar “melt” into the meat with the other spices.

4) Now time for us to cook the ribs! About an hour before cooking take the ribs out of the refrigerator. Apply the rest of the spice blend. At this time warm your grill to medium heat, or 350 degrees. If using charcoal try to move all charcoal bricks to one side of the grill, or if using gas only turn of half the grill. The object to use whats called “indirect” cooking. This enables you to cook the food, but not over direct heat. Creates a slow cooking process.

5) These ribs will cook for 2-3 hrs, depending on the heat source. Every 30 mins apply some “Mop sauce,” to keep the ribs moist.

Mop Sauce:

12 oz of Boulevard beer

1 tbs of worcestershire sauce

2 1/2 garlic cloves minced

1/2 red onion medium dice

1/2 olive oil

2 tbs of paprika

*Combine all ingredients with a 1/2 of water. Bring to simmer, and reduce by half.

6) Now lets take a moment and reflect on our USMNT! Honduras...well let's forget that and soldier on to Costa Rica. While I almost drove “Brutus” my Mini Cooper up to Denver when my flight details fell through, I’m happy I didn’t. I doubt I would have returned home.. safely that is. The “Battle at Azteca,” gave me close to three ulcers. We proved Azteca isn’t what it use to be and this USA side is gaining more and more confidence! I, for one, am believing in my bold prediction I made when Jurgen took over. I told several of our chapter members “the USA will make the semifinals in the world cup!”

7) Okay, check your ribs.

8) In the last 30 mins of cooking, apply some of the BBQ sauce. Pull the ribs off the heat source apply some more BBQ sauce, and “let rest” for 15 minutes. Slice ribs, serve with your favorite slaw and potato salad...stay tuned and ill give you those recipes also!

Boulevard Beer BBQ sauce:

12 oz of Boulevard Wheat beer
3/4 cup of maple syrup
1/2 cup butter
2 red onions, diced
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/2 cup of ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup orange juice
2 cloves of garlic minced

* Combine butter, garlic and onion in a sauce pan. Saute until onion turns light brown. Add all other ingredents and let simmer for about 30-40 mins.

For many critics of the American game (among a plethora of other complaints) they cite a lack of history of the sport in the United States. But contrary to popular belief, the beautiful game was established here for much longer than most realize.

It goes past 1996 and the foundation of Major League Soccer. Past the 1960s and 70s of the New York Cosmos and the North American Soccer League. Even past Joe Gaetjens and the 1950 "Miracle on Grass". American soccer history is long and storied; nearly as old as it's European foundations.

We've got history. It's time to tell those tales.

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Say what you want about "SoccerReform", the American soccer (anti-collectivist) crusader... he's got a deep affinity for the U.S. Open Cup.

We're not here to get into a debate about the merits of the current setup of U.S. Soccer (hear that Ted!), but this video paying tribute to American soccer's longest-running, most under-appreciated cup competition is spot on.

For the last 100 years, the U.S Open Cup has featured some of American soccer's greatest players and teams, many of them lost to the dusty shelves of libraries or buried in microfiche drawers, and they deserve credit in helping sustain American soccer in its darkest days.

Emerald City Supporters members, Seattle Sounders player Roger Levesque, and Sounders announcer Ross Fletcher taste test Redhook Brewing Company's No Equal" Amber Lager (made for the Emerald City Supporters SG)) and Widmer Brother's Brewing Company's "Green & Gold" Kolsch (made for the Timbers Army SG).

Think they might have been a little biased?

Now we've tried both "No Equal" and "Green & Gold" and while the Sounders are having fun and games with propping up te ECS beer and burning of the TA beer they're both very well-crafted brews. 

Beer Advocate and Rate Beer both give solid ratings for ECS' amber while the TA kolsch doesn't have enough ratings to aggregate a score yet on either BA or RB they early reviews are just as positive as their Cascadia competitor.

We've always stressed at the Free Beer Movement that its completely fine to hate your opponent for those 90 minutes on the field just as long as you can share a brew before or after the match. 

Both "No Equal" and "Green & Gold" should be brews that either a Sounders fan or Timbers fan can share, and appreciate, when their beer is in the others' glass

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.

By Brian Wachholz / Senior Beer Rag Correspondent

Goal of the Week No. 6: Ryan Johnson – Portland Timbers

Ryan Johnson of the Portland Timbers runs away with the 2013 Goal of the Week Award for week six.  Toronto’s Darel Russell was expected to be the favorite during voting; however MLSSoccer.com reports that a late surge in voting swept the result for Johnson on the last day of the poll.

The sequence began with Darlington Nagbe picking the ball off of a Houston Dynamo player in the orange half of the field.  Nagbe plays a give-and-go with Rodney Wallace and then another with Kalif Alhassan to free up ample space in the center circle.  With Dynamo defenders trying to adjust to the developing threat, Nagbe sends a perfectly weighted pass to the quickly advancing Ryan Johnson to beat the offside trap.  Johnson moves in on goal and quite easily defeats the keeper and onrushing orange to net the ball.

In honor of the winning goal, the FBM recommends you replace your empty glass with a local Portland pint of Cascade Brewing’s Spring IPA.  The winter must have seemed especially long for Portland Timbers fans, having to wait until week five of the 2013 season for a win.  However, spring and victory are here now, and the Timbers faithful can rejoice with a fitting seasonal brew!  The beer menu description:

This spring IPA is a hop showcase. Floral and citrus aromas from the Amarillo, then tropical lemon and lime notes from the Motueka combine with the herbal and lemony Sorachi- Ace hops to get you in the mood. A bright hop spice bite on the palate from the Brewers gold and Amarillo blends with biscuity malts, leading to a sublime, multifaceted refreshing IPA that is built to awe, not shock

Cascade Brewing operates two brewpubs: the Cascade Brewing Barrel House east of the river near downtown and Art Larrance’s Raccoon Lodge & Brew Pub in Raleigh Hills, OR (southwest of the city center).  If you aren’t local to the Pacific Northwest, you can also mail order brews through the website to be delivered by your friendly neighborhood UPS guy.

In addition to the Timbers’ win, Cascade Brewing owner, Art Larrance, won the Brewers Association Recognition Award at the Craft Brewers Conference in Washington, DC, last month.  Cheers to Portland beer, and cheers to soccer!

This is a case of beer. We are making an argument or case about something. See the connection?

Last night 20,465 "fans" attended a Major League Soccer game between FC Dallas and Los Angeles Galaxy. We say "fans" because late in the match there was one person who couldn't help himself from being not a fan, but a massive idiot. It would be more likely to say that 20,464 fans attended the match along with a single, bumbling moron.

Late in the game, one that saw two PK saves and a red card, FC Dallas' George John redirected a header that already bounced off the crossbar to earn the home side a dramatic late winner against the defending MLS Cup Champion Galaxy. In the ensuing celebration John was struck by a flying projectile later identified as an aluminum Budweiser bottle. Directly behind the goal is FC Dallas Stadium's beer garden, home to one of the supporters groups, the "Dallas Beer Guardians", and, apparently, at least one total dumbass.

To be clear we've already spoken to the DBGs and they've informed us that the suspect (caught on camera above and arrested for public intoxication) was NOT a member of their group or any of the other FC Dallas SGs. Furthermore a member of DBG told us that they were concerned about aluminum bottles being sold in the garden (and informed the FCD FO as well) because of the potential of incidents just like last night's. Given Dallas' proximity to FBM HQ in Austin some our biggest adherents to the "FBM philosophy" are up in Dallas. We're proud of the responsible FBM-ing the Beer Guardians do and, more importantly, their condeming of the fan.

John's gash after being struck with a bottle.

Matches like those against high-profile teams like Los Angeles, (back-to-back Cup holders, stacked with talent like Robbie Keane and the just-returned Landon Donovan) often draw big crowds. Not too mention FC Dallas is sitting pretty in first place in the Western Conference so what you have is a recipe for a stadium full of relative newbies and/or casual fans. A last-minute goal, combined with too much alcohol, a first-timer acting stupidly, and a player ends up getting hurt. A team and its supporters painted with broad stokes.

The switch to put beer from the beer garden in only aluminum bottles was definitely a poor move. Certainly it was to speed up serving time versus tap beer and increase brand visibility on a bottle versus a plastic, see-through cup. More likely than not the FC Dallas front office will re-examine the issue of the bottles and listen to the SGs that warned them earlier. Hopefully it doesn't mean the closing or moving of of a place that is credited as a "a significant success and improved the usually quiet atmosphere of FC Dallas Stadium." The actions of one person shouldn't determine the future of many.

The Free Beer Movement creed is "building American soccer one beer at a time" and we firmly believe that the power of a few free beers can open the doors for many, many people to the beauty of soccer in the United States. Except for when the power of that beer is used to tear down the American soccer experience.

Posted at the footer of our site is the following: 

"Free Beer Movement promotes the RESPONSIBLE consumption of alcohol. While viewing matches at bars or stadiums please look out for yourselves and appoint a designated driver to return all FBM participants and guests home SAFELY.

Free Beer Movement is not responsible for the actions of its members or guests and asks that each member of guest of the Free Beer Movement exercise PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY in not over-consuming alcohol while viewing or attending soccer matches."

It's easy to get wrapped up in the "beer" part of the FBM, but beer is just the medium while soccer is the message. If at any point the over-consumption or irresponsible use of alcohol gets in the way of the greater message then you're doing it wrong. We've yet to hear about any FBM experiences that have gotten out of hand and, from our interactions with our friends, followers, and supporters FBM is just as much about beer education as it is soccer education; both how to be a good beer drinkers and good fans. Last night's individual was neither.

If the Free Beer Movement ever became associated with these sort of actions on a regular basis we will shut this thing down. Without hesitation. 

George John, to his credit, was a sport about the incident and posted to Twitter that evening:

According to the Dallas Morning News John is not pressing charges against the suspect. Certainly the Frisco Police Department will have other avenues to charge the man and FC Dallas and stadium security will make sure his first soccer game there was his last.

There is a reason soccer is often referred to "the beautiful game", but, unfortunately, it can also create some ugly moments. There's no questioning that these "ugly" parts of our game are influenced by a variety of factors around the world: racism, nationalism, civic pride, etc and often inflamed by alcohol.

It's important that we, as American soccer fans and soccer fans in the United States, hold ourselves to the highest standards as to avoid the darkest corners of the sport and where fandom sometimes exists.

For the Free Beer Movement it is important that we continue to promote the utmost responsibility when doing what we do best: "building American soccer one beer at time".

Drink on. Drink responsibly.

We don't get to do this often enough, but when a soccer-specific beer lands at FBM HQ we can't help but bust out the ol' camera and snap a few pictures. A brewery that's interested in supporting local soccer deserves a photo essay to honor their commitment to the American game.

Widmer Brothers Brewing Company took the winner of the Timbers Army Home Brew Competition "Full 90" category and turned their brewery on to produce Abram Goldman-Armstrong's "Green and Gold" kolsch.

A few weeks ago we spoke with Abe as a a part of our "Six Pack Interview Series" and now we're featuring our very own snap shots of the brew that Widmer graciously sent us.

Every MLS team and/or supporters group needs their own beer.

Cheers!

* All photography featured on this page was taken by the Free Beer Movement and is property of the Free Beer Movement.

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

Last week, CONCACAF announced a plan to pit the winners of the 2013 and 2015 Gold Cup tournaments against each other in a playoff to determine who gets to represent the continent at the 2017 Confederations Cup. In practice, this is because otherwise none of the teams really cared about the 2013 Gold Cup, just as no one did in 2009 and so on and so forth.

They would bring weakened teams, allowing their starters to rest after World Cup qualifiers and rejoin their MLS teams or take a bit of a break before going back for the European preseason. This, in my opinion, was not a bad thing, and the reasons why have a lot to do  with Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez and that game last month at the Azteca.

Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez probably won’t play in this summer’s Gold Cup – not unless Jurgen Klinsmann wants to open his hotel door one evening to find a very stern-looking Peter Vermes tapping a length of pipe on his open palm while Bruce Arena slips on a set of brass knuckles behind him. But the emergence of a potential Besler-Gonzalez center back pairing is exciting not just because of their quality play in the harshest away environment this side of the lunar surface, but because at 24 and 26 the pair still have a fresh out of the box feel to them. Never mind that Geoff Cameron is only 27; this is the Tandem of the Future!

“Future” is the most dangerous word in international soccer; we look to it as if through a pair of binoculars, desperately trying to adjust the focus to get a clear glimpse while missing everything that’s around us. A section of the fanbase, and the wider sporting press, has spent the career of our Best American Player Ever (and the Guy Who Might Be Better Than Him) looking to the day when we’re going to produce the Best Player Ever. Now we might not even have replacements for the first two guys.

You can see why this is appealing. Only around eight teams per cycle stand a realistic chance of winning the World Cup. Underdogs, big underdogs, just don’t win the tournament, at least not since 1950, and what small surprises it has to offer involves things like “Italian defense” and “Diego Maradona.”

But is the World Cup the only prize that matters? We’re conditioned by American sports to feel that anything less than the title at the end of the rainbow is a failed season, but are 199 FIFA nations utter failures? And if not, then what are they playing for? A Final Four WC bid? (Curse you, Frings!) Continental supremacy and the five bonus armies per turn that comes with it? Other trophies, a stockpile Gold and Confederations cups and perhaps soon the occasional upset bid at the Copa America? How do you balance a team’s needs between today and a tomorrow that might never get here?

The years of reps Michael Bradley earned in the center of the park back when he really was a young, immature coach’s son prone to stupid cards have undoubtedly helped him become the steadying force he is today. The jury may still be out on the years of reps Jozy Altidore has received at the top of the formation (That hurts to say. I’m a big-time Jozy apologist). But even when the forward pool was at its shallowest, a good percentage of his early caps were dealt to him with the future in mind, with the expectation that they’d accelerate his growth into an even more fearsome striker in the future, that he and Bradley and that Best Player Ever In-Waiting (Repeat after me: This never happened.) would get the nation closer to winning a major tournament.

That’s what was sort of nice about having an off-year continental championship. There’s a benefit to playing games, real competitive games, where everything is made up and the points don’t matter. Coaches can take the kinds of chances on youth that would ordinarily be calculated risks in small doses and career suicide in larger ones. And fans can get a free turn at the binoculars, parsing the future without sacrificing the present.

Josh Gatt could actually play on the right side, where at least the fact that he’s more one-footed than Long John Silver won’t lead to him dribbling across the center of the pitch into nine players. A John Anthony Brooks (Maybe? And even then he’d play with the U-20’s, but whatever) and Amobi Okugo centerback pairing isn’t the best second-tier centerback combination we could come up with, but it’s the most fun Fezzik-Inigo pairing of towering strength and skill on the ball on that side of the pool. Significant minutes for Juan Agudelo, who I never regret getting to watch play.

After the news of the new play-in game was announced, several well-connected soccer journalists suggested the U.S. and Mexico at the very least would still devote the majority of their efforts toward the post-World Cup tournament in 2015, fielding weaker teams at this summer’s event. Hopefully they feel the same way for years to come even after they see what tomorrow might bring.

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"

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

In the U.S., the soccer season has barely begun. But over in Europe, most countries are 6-8 weeks away from the end of the season – and the title race has more or less been decided in each of the big leagues. Of course, we all know that Bayern Munich grabbed the Bundesliga title last weekend. Barcelona, naturally, are running away from it in Spain, 13 points above Real Madrid. Manchester United are 12 above rivals City. France and Italy are closer, with Paris Saint-Germain 7 points above Marseille and Juventus leading Napoli by 9 points.

So barring any last-minute meltdowns, Europe’s top clubs are ready to receive their crowns. That means it’s time to look at the bottom, where all the action is. If you’re a fan of a club hovering close to the relegation zone, the end of the season is terrifying (I should know; I’m an Aston Villa supporter). But if your club is safe, it’s often rather fun to predict which sides are going down – and if you’re feeling really evil, cheer them on as they head to the lower leagues.

There are at least two serious relegation six-pointers this weekend: On Saturday, Pescara, who are dead last in Serie A, host Siena, who are out of the drop only because they have a better head-to-head against Palermo. Then on Monday, Celta Vigo visit Mallorca, with both sides sitting dead last in the La Liga table. And if you feel you just can’t let Sunday pass by without the tension that comes with trying to avoid the drop, head to Newcastle, where it’s possible that a win in the Tyne-Wear Derby could see the Toon push their rivals Sunderland down to the point of no return.

So what sort of beer do you drink while cheering on the possibility of making an entire fanbase break down in sobs? Well, if you’re watching the Derby, it should be Newcastle Brown Ale, of course. But that’s just too easy for this column, which is meant to expand your beer-drinking horizons and challenge your taste buds. With quite a few weeks left before the drops are decided, it’s probably best to go with something on the lower end of the ABV scale, lest a strong beer gets to your head and you start doing relegation sums incorrectly. And with spring finally upon us, a lighter, sessionable beer is a fine choice, perfect for enjoying the (hopefully) sunny days.

Now I know not all of you will be able to find beers from Full Sail Brewing, but I did check and they distribute in most states. If you’re one of the unfortunate ones, take what I said about the style, go out and be creative. The reason I’m recommending Full Sail is because they make a special point of doing session beers – they have a lager, a black lager and even a holiday red lager. The point they’re trying to make with the sessions is that a beer can be crisp and refreshing without being boring. Ok, the lager is fairly standard, with mild hops and medium sweetness. If you’re looking for something more interesting, go with the black. It’s actually a Schwarzbier, so it’s heavier on the chocolaty malts, but it also has enough citrus hops to make it light and balanced.

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!

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.

By Brian Wachholz / Senior Beer Rag Correspondent

Goal of the Week No. 5: Thierry Henry – New York Red Bulls

Thierry Henry, in vintage gunner form, wins the 2013 Goal of the Week Award for week five.  This airborne Red Bull effort is a feast for the eyes en français.  The assist is delivered by fellow Frenchman Peguy Luyindula.  He receives a lobbed ball from the halfway line, quickly settling it before lobbing it over two Philadelphia defenders to Henry.  Titi catches the ball with his right thigh then sends the ball to the far post with his left foot before Zac MacMath has time to react.

After mopping up your spilt drink, we recommend you replenish your glass with a beer from "The French Connection" collection properly befitting Henry’s game-winning goal.  Stillwater Artisanal Ales of Baltimore, Maryland, paired up with three different French craft breweries to produce three different collaboration brews.  We recommend you try the Ambrée.  Hand crafted in the traditional French style of a bière de garde, this ale will refine with age, much like Thierry.

The trio of beers is imported to the United States by 12 Percent Imports.  Find 33cl (330ml / 11.3 fl oz) bottles in better beer stores throughout their distribution territory.

If it's Monday than it's all the goals and glory from  this past weekend's Major League Soccer action from Kick TV.

The United States women's nation team kicked off their European tour with a barn-buring 3-3 draw against Germany. The match coincided with U.S. Soccer's 100th anniversary as well. Germany fought back twice (down 1-0 and 3-1) to earn a share of the result in a battle between women's soccer's number one and number two teams.

Abby Wambach scored her 155th career goal (just three shy of Mia Hamm's total mark) while Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan also made the scoresheet with great goals.

The USWNT will face the Netherlands Tuesday afternoon at 12pm CT. The match will stream for free on ESPNW.com and ESPN3.com

Highlights and Player Reaction/Breakdown:

Reaction:

Analysis from some of women's soccer's best writers:

Jeff Kassouf (Equalizer Soccer) - "Late surge sees Germany end level with USWNT"

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.

By Brian Wachholz / Senior Beer Rag Correspondent

Goal of the Week No. 4: Chris Wondolowski – San Jose Earthquakes

In no real surprise, Chris Wondolowski takes home the fourth installment of the 2013 Goal of the Week Award in MLS for his excellent bomb against the Seattle Sounders.  Wondo’s strikes truly are a thing of exquisite beauty, and so this week we are pairing his long range effort with a beer from 8th Wonder Brewery.  This brewery makes its magic in Wondolowski’s old stomping grounds of Houston, Texas.  He is quite familiar with the city, having spent 2006-2009 with the Dynamo.

8th Wonder’s altbier, called "Alternate Universe", pairs with Wondo’s strike better than peanut butter with jelly.  Even in an alternate universe, Chris would be putting the hurt on opposing goalkeepers with his wonder-strikes.  This beer exists by itself somewhere between a light beer and a dark beer much like Wondolowski exists in an invisible plane hidden between the midfield and opposition defenders.  That is, until he is ready to pounce.

Look for 8th Wonder Brewery’s offerings in Houston area better-beer bars.

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 third season of this particular iteration of the North American Soccer League kicks off this weekend, and for those of us whose interest is more in the league as an entity than in the fortunes of any particular team, the big story to follow is, naturally, the schedule?

The league announced last fall that they would split their schedule this year, play one season in the spring, another in the fall, and let the winners face off to determine the league champion. Apertura and clausura. Inicial and final. Invierno and verano. A format widely used in Central and South America, and one destined for success even in the hemisphere’s northern latitudes. Right?

Maybe. Truth be told, I’m at a loss; I don’t understand the reasoning behind the switch. The pros thrown out in press releases from the league and its teams sound weak. The change seems to be happening because the apertura/clausura schedule format, like George Malloy’s mountain, is there. 

Is it the weather? Does the modicum of home-field advantage cold weather in late November might provide for teams in Edmonton and Minnesota make up for the league deciding that the comfort of those fans who might want to actually attend their games in October/November was less important than that of fans in San Antonio or Ft. Lauderdale in July?

Saying the break helps the league sync with the international calendar is a nice little jab at MLS, except the only dates on the international calendar that the NASL’s break will free its players for is the Copa America and every other Gold Cup. (Though if any NASL players want to wait til the break to join their national teams for the World Cup, they’ll be able to meet up with the squad in time for the semi-finals).

Is it an attempt at outreach, a way of drawing new fans in? I found arguments from half a decade ago suggesting MLS adopt the A/C model to draw in Latino fans who have grown used to the model watching leagues in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and especially Mexico, which sounds like if Pepsi decided the best way to gussy up sales would be to start loading their product into red cans and boxes and hoping nobody noticed the difference on the inside.

Of course, sometimes marketing does work that way, be it subtle or painfully obvious. A change to something minor like the packaging can have a big influence on how a product is consumed, but when that does work it typically means there was something wrong with the package in the first place. Which, granted, some think might be the case.

To talk about the structure of the season in American sports is to talk about playoffs. (Say it with me, everyone. There I’m glad we went ahead and got that out.) Win or go home. History will be made. You can’t script October. Peyton’s a choker, etc. For the sake of excitement at the end of the season we discount excellence throughout it. In exchange for seeing the top teams reach a higher level of play at the end of the season, we discount slightly the early and middle portions of it.

That’s the Faustian bargain American sports, MLS included, have made: one part of the season for another. Plenty of soccer fans here think it’s a stupid arrangement for their particular sport, and plenty of others think that first group are stupid for thinking it’s stupid. We have a lot of this sort of argument in American soccer, and I have no more interest in debating single-table vs. playoffs than I do telling you which end to break your eggs on. But this third model that NASL is trying strikes me as a worst of both worlds approach.

NASL teams will play twelve games during their apertura,  There’s not a lot of time for teams to pull away from the pack, but at the same time, if someone falls into an early hole, a comeback will be nigh impossible. And so the best teams will be fighting tooth and nail for a spot in the league’s championship game, while the dregs and the mathematically-eliminated middle-class try to fine-tune themselves for the clausura, trying new players or new tactics with an eye towards winning in the future rather than the present. Which, considering each team plays the others only twice per -ura, could have big effects on what’s going on at the top.  

To be fair, this happens in sports leagues all around the world, but not seven games in, and not twice per year. Some teams will have renewed hope in August when they get their second crack at the championship. Many more will find they’ve been raised back up to 0-0-0 parity only to tumble to the basement again, continuing the cycle.

And the returns from this? A one-off championship, the Soccer Bowl, pitting a team that may have peaked four months ago against one that couldn’t beat them before they stopped caring. Potential for a classic championship, but one that lacks the momentum that builds during the playoffs or the stakes that come attached to something like the most valuable game in the world. 

What am I missing? What are the benefits? Those questions aren’t rhetorical; I really want someone to explain it to me.

What’s that? The Cosmos were only going to have their team ready in August anyway? Ohh. Never mind, then.

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"

Soccer newbies demand you buy them a beer.

This Sunday is "National Beer Day," the unofficial holiday in which Americans celebrate the return of delicious beer and spirits to the nation's bars and stores with the end of Prohibition in 1933.

Millions of Americans lined up at their local bars, pubs, and taverns ("New Beer's Eve") awaiting this moment when at twelve midnight they could drink again without fear of their suds confiscated or their speak-easys shut down. Happy days were here again. (In fact, 4,207 liquor licenses were issued in Milwaukee alone on April 7th!)

To celebrate the resurrection of beer drinking in the United States we are encouraging each American soccer fan to exercise that Constitutional right to drink beer and do it this weekend at a soccer game with a soccer newbie.

Celebrate "National Beer Day" by making this weekend "National Free Beer Movement Weekend".

Without the repeal of the 18th Amendment we wouldn't have delicious, delicious beer. And without said beer we wouldn't have the greatest motivator in the world to build American soccer.

This weekend when you're attending a Major League Soccer game or a North American Soccer League game or a USL PRO game or any live game... bring a friend. When you're watching English Premier League match Saturday and Sunday mornings.... bring a co-worker. When you're pulling up a seat to any soccer game that's live on on TV anywhere in this great nation or from anywhere in the world.... save a seat for a family member.

All of these people, in all of these situations, are potential soccer fans and they just need the proper setting, the proper education, and the proper brew, all provided by you, for them to be exposed to the wonderful world of soccer.

This is the perfect weekend to participate. All across Europe there are matches that will make-or-break title contenders and games that will decide the survival of other clubs. And, of course, in our domestic league, the love of our life, the MLS season (and the NASL is kicking off) is in full swing. First Kick has come and gone, but the newness of the season is still alive. Every team is still alive and optimism still reigns supreme.

There are tailgates galore to grab a brew, bars abound ready to fill your pint, and fridges fully stocked to host a gang so why not bring a few new fresh faces along and expose them to the beautiful game?

We want your to share your beers and buds with us. Share the beers you're drinking across the country and the friends that you're introducing soccer to with us.

Tweet or Facebook us with your photos of FBM in action this weekend, National Free Beer Movement Weekend 2013.

Cheers!

Historical Note: For many beer nerds, December 5th is the ultimate Prohibition-ending holiday called "Repeal Day" in honor of the final necessary 2/3rds of states (Utah, of all places) ratifying the 21st Amendment. For the Free Beer Movement we're going with this day to honor when President Franklin D. Rooesvelt signed Cullin-Harrison Act became law, official ending the failed Prohibition experiment and allowing beer and other alcohol to flow freely again. Also, since this date falls during the MLS season it makes even more sense.

It's probably no surprise that many American soccer fans are not only lovers of beer, but lovers of homebrewed beer. It should also come as no surprise that many Major League Soccer supporters groups host their own home brew competitions each year. The one that the Portland Timber's supporters, the Timber's Army has put on, officially or unofficially, since 2009 in certainly one of the more high-profile ones. In years past local craft brewers have made small batches of each winner's beer in several categories.

Beginning last year the Timber's beer sponsor Widmer Brother's Brewing Company, stepped forward to help judge and then brew the winner of one of the categories. For any home brewer going from nano-batches to a major breweries industrial brewing system would be quite the experience.

Just last month Widmer Brother's released "Green & Gold" Kolsch the creation of Timber's Army long-time member Abram Goldman-Armstrong. We had a chance to speak with Abe by phone to ask him about his history with TA, Portland as a beer and soccer town, and, of course, his winning brew.

Goldman-Armstrong in front of his own visage. Photo Credit: OregonLive.com

Free Beer Movement: What’s your history with soccer in Portland and the Timbers Army?

Abe: I started out going to my first Timbers match in 1988 with my parents. It was a Timbers reunion match. When the Timber came back in 2001 I got season tickets in section 107 and, yeah, I’ve been a part of it ever since. I’ve been actively involved in the organization since.

With MLS moving in we kinda got a little more organized and put together the Independent Supporters Trust know as the 107st. I was on the interim board of that and then I was elected to the initial board and the re-elected to the most recent board.

Along with that I edit and publish “The Whipsaw”, the Timbers Army fan-zine, now in our fourth year of that.

I’m involved in all different aspects. It’s definitely a major focus in my life.

FBM: What does it mean to be to be a supporter of the Timbers and what does it means to support a local club? What is it like to have live, local soccer in Portland week-in-and-week-out?

Abe: It’s really fantastic. The atmosphere at a Timbers match can’t really be matched in North America. Having a local team is really key. Going to a pub watching World Cup is fantastic or even if you have a good crowd watching EPL or other foreign matches, but soccer support here in Cascadia has really brought it to the next level.

When you go to a match here in Cascadia, whether you’re in Portland, Seattle, or Vancouver you’re going to find it’s more that a spectator sport. You’re there, you’re participating. We’ve always tried really hard in the Timbers Army to be engaging and engage the team. We’re willing the team to win and that’s really a key part of a local team.

You can be passionate about soccer, but you miss out on that day-to-day, when you go to a match, that shared energy. You just have to lose yourself to the crowd. You’re all there and it’s really pretty amazing.

FBM: How long have you been home brewing? What is it about having local craft beer with your local team?

Abe: I’ve been home brewing since I was 17 years old so about 17 years in total now. It’s really a big part of my life. I also write about beer. I’m really engaged in the brewing community here.

Beer is really interwoven into the Timbers Army here. I probably say hi to fifteen different brewers at a Timbers game. We live and breathe beer here as much as we live and breathe soccer. We have more breweries than any other city in the world. It really is a part of our fabric in Oregon. I think that’s something that’s a natural fit. Beer and watching soccer go hand-in-hand.

The whole beer community is really passionate about Timbers. And the Timbers Army is passionate about beer. It works out pretty well.

On our bus trip to Seattle we had about 20 different breweries sponsoring each bus. So each bus has its own Oregon brewery on it. Small, independent, local breweries that are really passionate about the team and willing to donate kegs. It’s not just that we’ve got beer on the bus, but it’s “we got local beer on the bus and here’s the brewer sitting on the bus going to the game and yelling at the referee with us for the full ninety minutes”.

I think we’re really lucky here in Cascadia to have a really vibrant brewing culture. It makes it that much more of a community to have local craft beer. And we have local craft beer in the stadium, too. Something that’s really important to who we are and how we operate.

FBM:  Discuss the Timbers Army home brew contest and how long Widmer’s been a part of it.

Abe: 2013 will be our four year for the Timbers Army Home Brew Competition. It started as a fairly informal affair and actually home brewing competitions were outlawed for a year so because of some weird law. So in 2010 we didn’t have any judging and we said, “well we’re going to all show up and tailgate” and did that. We decided to just go ahead and that just had a people’s choice award.

In 2011 we had a more formal competition again. All the beers were judged blind by a range of judges, some of them nationally ranked. We partnered with a couple of local breweries that year. The Lompoc brewed the winner, and the runner-up was brewed by by McMenamins, and the third place winner was brewed by Hop Works. That year I placed third with a Northwest-style Red Ale.

Anyhow in 2012 we had the competition again at Lompoc and Widmer had approach us to brew the winner. We basically split the competition in half. There was the “Full 90” which Widmer was going to brew; something that you could drink for a full match, something that was under 6 percent alcohol and something that wasn’t going to blow your face off with hops. It was a good fit.

Lompac brewed the winner of the “Pride of Cascadia” category which included IPAs, Cascadian Dark Ales, Imperial IPAs, and Northwest Red Ales.

In the “Full 90” category there was some pretty stiff competition, but the judges (Widmer sent down four of their brewers to help out) settled on a kolsch that I had brewed. And that’s how that all came about here.

FBM: Why did you decide to go with a kolsch? Tell us a little about the ingredients you used. Describe the taste and the flavor and how it best represents your passion for the Timbers and your passion for craft beer.

Abe: Kolsch, as you probably know, is a style that originate in Cologne, Germany. It's a top fermented beer. It's an ale, but generally brewed with all pilsner malts. Very light. Very, very pale ale. So pale you wouldn't call it a pale. It's very golden-straw in color. It's basically like a lager except for the yeast strain that is used. It's a style that I really fell in love with when I went to Cologne during the 2006 World Cup. I went around to a few of the local brewpubs and it (the kolsch style) really made an impression on me. It's a style that I've been pretty much brewing every summer since then.

It's a style that is pretty different than the stuff I normally brew, but it's worked its way into my rotation of beers that I brew. In this case I used a different yeast strain that I have never used before, a "kolsch-two" from White Labs here in Mount Hood. I used an organic pilsner malt from British Columbia and I used Hallertaur hops that I grew in my own backyard.

It ended up being the palest and brightest beer I ever brewed. I was really happy with it.

I was really honored that it won.

FBM: Being at Widmer, was that kind of a Willy Wonka experience for you?

Abe: It was pretty interesting. I brew on a ten-gallon system at home and even Widmer's test batches were brewed using a ten barrel-system so 310 gallons, but they stepped it up to their 250-barrel brew house and that's 7,750 gallons for one batch.

It was pretty unreal. I've been brewing for seventeen years and that was brewing more beer in one batch that I had in my entire life.

It was a good experience. I think I learned a lot about the practicalities of brewing on that kind of system. You can't do exactly what you want when it comes to availability of ingredients.

When I had to scale up the batch to brew at Widmer we had to make a number of changes; we obviously couldn't use the hops I grew from home (they ended up using Alchemy, Mt. Hood, and Hallertaur hops), the yeast strain I used was only seasonally available, and we ended up using Widmer's base two-row malt. We brewed three test batches before the big batch at the brewery and none of those were quite right. It was great to see that when we brewed it on the big system is was much closer to the original beer that the previous attempts.

That was pretty exciting.

VIDEO - Abram talks about his winning beer:

Note: All other photos courtesy of Widmer Brother's Brewing press release.

An Henry wonder-goal here, a Villareal late-winner there, and twenty or so other great strikes (including former Austin Aztex Dillion Powers for Colorado Rapids) from week five of Major League Soccer.

Every goal from MLS courtesy of Kick TV.

Our #CheersToSoccer contest with "Beertography" and "The Beautiful Gear" has run its course and we received some amazing entries of your beer and soccer photography skills. It was hard to pick our favorites with so many quality pics, but we were able to narrow it down to our "first division" and "second division" winners. Sorry everyone... no pro/rel here either. Those in the top flight will be honored with our adidas "Pints Up!" shirt and the second tier will get a FBM sticker pack.

Thanks for everyone who submitted. This certainly won't be the last photography contest we roll with so keep on with the #CheersToSoccer everytime you're got a match in front of you and a cold one in your hand.

First Division:

@ShaaMikeMike (Philadelphia, PA)

@farnell81 (England)

@shawndjkidd (Vancouver)

Second Division:

@justin_rc (Dallas, TX)

@evahall (Chicago, IL)

@ATXChristina (Austin, TX)

Photo Credit: Eduardo Verdugo/AP

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

International matches have always been an opportunity to adopt a little of the jingoism my enlightened, 21st century perspective would never allow me to ordinarily feel. To hell with Brazilians, Italians are worthless, what have the English ever done for us (Apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health)?

This is a common and occasionally problematic phenomenon in international soccer, though not typically here, where the announcement of a friendly with Russia is 1,000 times more likely to set off a wave of Rocky IV references (guilty) than of proxy wars or missile crises. England still occasionally plays Germany, and when they do it seems half the populace genuinely believes it’s 1939 or 1982 while the other half is desperately waving their smartphones and pointing at the Gherkin to remind them that it’s not.

But Mexico is different, at least for me. I grew up in a part of the country that began experiencing its first big wave of immigration from Mexico and Central America right as I hit my teenage years. I heard people say and really mean of these new Hispanics coming into our small town the kind of things I would say jokingly about Belgians. Nobody I know hates Belgians, so that seemed safe. But cursing Mexicans for being Mexicans? That’s a little too close to real life. So for years, the passions of this particular rivalry seemed just a little too extreme for me. I rooted for a win and a good performance, not the utter destruction of the hopes and dreams of a nation of loathsome wretches.

Now it seems many, including Herculez Gomez, feel the rivalry is tilting that direction on its own. The cartoon villains and heroes - the Borgettis and the Lalases and the other guys who could just as easily have waged their never-ending battle for continental supremacy (Sorry, Canada) via a Saturday morning TV series - have fallen away. In a certain light, Rafa Marquez become less utter embarrassment to the game and more of the last of a dying breed, a lone-wolf commando deep behind enemy lines wreaking havoc on American soccer from the inside, a Sólido Serpiente with less stealth and more stock faces of righteous indignation.

Nowadays, the players each side collectively hates the most are really just the ones we each fear the most: Dos Santos and Chicharito, Landon Donovan and his weak bladder. Maybe this game seemed more subdued because Donovan were still off on the Spider-Man 2 phase of his career, hanging up the supersuit so he could try living life as just plain old Landon. (Even Spider-Man’s villains all like Peter Parker.) Or maybe it’s because it just seems a lot easier to work up the appropriate level of bile for a big-time international rivalry when the enemy looks like this rather than this. 

Part of it may be that that second face looks very much like one that could be starring for our team. The number of dual-nationals in the both the full squad and youth programs has risen to the point that stories like this one on Omar Gonzalez and mystique of the Azteca will either disappear entirely or proliferate to the point that they dominate the entire soccer media landscape, Agent Smith-style.

This could take the rivalry one of two ways:

1) A continuing cooling of temperatures like the one we’re experiencing now as players grow up together, play on youth teams in either country with one another and find themselves on the same teams in MLS, Liga MX or in Europe, or

2) The idea of two teams full of Giuseppe Rossi’s meeting in Gold Cups and WCQ’s for decades to come inspires fanbases to new levels of passion and vitriol. Either way, I’m excited for the first Mexican-media article about an American-born Mexican player and the aura that surrounds Crew Stadium.

Personally, I think one seems more likely. The goals of these teams have evolved over time., Being called the best team on the continent is something of a backhanded compliment for two fanbases who are hoping to see their teams move into the world’s elite. Mexican fans think they have a chance because they’ve won everything else at the lower levels; U.S. fans because we’re always holding out hope that the team’s just about to turn the corner. Beating each other will always be especially nice, but in order to be considered successful, they’ll have to beat plenty of other teams as well.

Like those damn, dirty Dutch. I never did like the Dutch.

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 the Emory University he won "College Jeopardy"