Constantly Offside and the Free Beer Movement at MLS Cup 2009

Editor's Note: Our friend Biggy from Constantly Offside wrote to us a few weeks ago asking for a bunch of our stickers so he could represent the Free Beer Movement when he went to MLS Cup 2009 in Seattle. "On one condition," we said. As long as he was introducing the sport to soccer newbies then we could reward him with a stack of FBM stickers.

Biggy brought soccer newbie Shawn with him on the journey from San Jose to Seattle and they represented the FBM and American soccer in style. Here is Biggy's "free beer mover" story:

Day One

So we pretty much took the Free Beer Movement everywhere we went in Seattle.


Saturday we hit the Seattle Underground tour, and we found even gnomes and gremlins like free beer. Probably because they generally don't use US currency, so beer for free is their only option.

We then hit up the gift shop and among all the sweet signs there was a warning for free beer!

We headed down to Pike Place to scope the sights and even the pigs were all about the FBM, and honestly who could blame them. It is hard to drink though if you are made of metal, so we kept the beers to ourselves and they kept the swine flu in return.

Our friend at the sports shop on Pier 57 was all about the FBM, he even stashed his sticker right by the register, which is pretty legit. I was impressed at all the jerseys they had on sale, particularly the Sounders gear that dominated the store. Surprising coming from San Jose but it's awesome what soccer is doing in Seattle.


Day Two


On gameday I got my buddy Shawn involved in the movement by hooking him up with a free beer as it was his first professional soccer match. He likes soccer now almost as much as he likes beer. He likes beer a lot, so that should tell you something. I bought myself a tasty refreshing cold one as well just so I could be one of the cool kids.



Of course, the NES (North End Supporters) are all about soccer and beer, so they wanted in on the action as well. Some fine fan support out in Seattle.

Then we got in a different sort of Free Beer Movement, the Free Beer related Wristband Movement, which is solid.

We found an RSL fan from LA at the bar, and he embodied everything we were all about all weekend, unfortunately he already bought his beer.

Many stickers were given out, many beers were enjoyed, and we really hope RSL downed at least one beer outta that bad boy.

The FBM x Constantly Offside were just part of the epic movement that is the MLS and American Soccer, in general. Cheers from Biggy at Constantly Offside dot com! Make sure you get to an MLS Cup in the near future, one of the greatest experiences of my life for sure.

Our Answers to Some Very Good Questions

Biggy over at Constantly Offside asked us to answer a few questions about the Free Beer Movement and since we haven't articulated what we're all about in a post in quite some time, we thought it might be a good idea to cross post the questions and our answers right here on the FBM Blog.

Constantly Offside: How would you describe the Free Beer Movement?

Free Beer Movement: The FBM is an organization based on bringing under exposed American sports fans to soccer games (live and on TV) through the medium of free beer. It relies on the motivation of American soccer fans to take the time to educate and entertain their non-soccer fan friends and family. Converting them to the sport is the goal (no pun intended) and free beer is the social lubricant.

American soccer fans are already going to and watching games, we just want them to bring someone new, buy them a beer (or 10), and have those people give soccer a look where previously they might never have had the opportunity. Free beer just makes it easier. And maybe they'll walk away with an appreciation of the sport.

CO: What beer is generally purchases for a friend for soccer games?

FBM: Really, whatever the hell they want. Whatever gets them through the gates. I'm real partial to Indian Pale Ales, but its all about luring them, I'm already sold on the sport. That being said there's a handy beer-to-soccer-level conversion-chart on our site which stipulates how many beers you have to buy friends relative to the level of match you're watching (from World Cup to youth soccer).

In the end, the beer is the gateway drug of choice to see the soccer.

CO: If Frankie Hejduk was a beer, what would be be?

FBM: He'd be the most all-American beer in the world. And I can't really claim that beers like Miller or Budweiser are really all-American anymore since they're owned by global brewers now.

I mean this guy loves America. He loves soccer and he loves beer. His commitment to his teams both domestically and for the national team is absolute. That's why we want him as our spokesperson. He IS American soccer.

If he were a beer, he'd be in a red, white, and blue can with him riding a giant bald eagle with a soccer ball in his talons. And the beer would taste like heaven in a bottle.

CO: Why don't other people understand that the world would be a better place with both more beer and more soccer?

FBM: I think most people readily acknowledge that the world is better place with beer in it. It certainly makes life worth living. And most of the world considers the world a better place with soccer. It just about bridging those two beliefs for Americans.

I think that sometimes beer can make the average girl at the bar look pretty and right now American soccer is that average girl at the bar for most Americans. Put a few beers in you and she starts to look real good, you go over an talk to her, and then you find out she's really cool and now you're hooked. Beer is going to help soccer look at lot better to a lot of Americans (at least I hope) and next time when their sober they'll keep on giving it a chance.

Link: Constantly Offside.