FBM at MLS Cup 2011

Yeah... we're just as surprised as you, but the Free Beer Movement will be at the 2011 Major League Soccer Cup Final as credentialed media.

What that means is a whole lot of coverage from us throughout the days leading up to Sunday's final from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Media events, open practices, press conferences, player interviews... the whole enchilada. And, of course, the 2011 MLS Supporters Summit. We're all about the fans here and we wouldn't miss it for the world.

Of course, we'll be checking out loads of beer spots in the Los Angeles-area as well.


Brewery/Beer Bar Visits (Friday and Saturday)


- Golden Road Brewing Company
- Eagle Rock Brewery
- LadyFace Ale Companie
- The Bruery
- Other Suggestions?



Our Media Coverage and Event Appearance Schedule


Thursday, November 17


- Media Happy Hour: 8:30pm - 10:30pm


Friday, November 18


- LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo Training Sessions: 10am - 1pm (closed to public)
- Presentation of 2011 MLS MVP: 1:30pm -2:30pm (closed to public)
- Night Out in Newport Beach with American Outlaws Leadership


Saturday, November 19

- Media Cup: 8:30am - 10:30am (HDC Track Field)
- LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo Training
- Supporters Challenge Soccer Game (HDC) - 1:00pm
- Bumpy Pitch/ Nike: Los Angeles "Celebration of LA Soccer" Party at the Montalban - 9:00pm

Sunday, November 20


- MLS Supporters Summit: 11am - 1pm (HDC)
- Meet and Great with LA and Houston Supporters' Tailgates: 1pm to Kick Off
- MLS Cup Final: 6pm
- Post-Game Presser
- Night Out?


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Better Know A Supporters Group - Texian Army

We continue our comprehensive coverage of American soccer culture with our series "Better Know a Supporters Group," just like Steven Colbert's "Better Know a District" from "The Colbert Report". 

Our goal: to feature each of the MLS teams' supporters groups. We've sent e-mails to each and every SG in Major League Soccer and soon you'll be able to check all what each is all about and what awesomeness they have to contribute to our growing American soccer world.

When we devised this idea a while back it was cool to be able to see what each supporter group is about, but in light of the terrible, one-sided, anti-American, condescending profile of Philadelphia's Sons of Ben SG by the British GQ (not even going to link to it to give them the site hits) we think its all the more important to give supporters groups in Major League Soccer the proper exposure and voice they deserve.

Today we feature one of Houston Dynamo's largest supporters groups, the Texian Army.

As told to the Free Beer Movement by James Hromadka, a member of TA's Board of Directors.

The Basics


SG Name: Texian Army

MLS Club: Houston Dynamo

Stadium: Robertson Stadium (New soccer-specific stadium currently under construction. Opening date: 2012)

Year SG Founded: 2006

Section Name (if other than SG name): North End

Any other SGs apart of your section? La Bateria, El Batallon, Brickwall Firm

Location of SG in Stadium (section #, side, direction): 214

The Meaty Questions

What are the origins of your groups’ name? 

The original name of the Dynamo was going to be “Houston 1836” after the year in which Houston, Texas was founded. However, 1836 was also the year that Texas won its independence from Mexico, and a big political stink was raised by county commissioner Sylvia Garcia. Since the team was going to need political help to get a stadium, they caved on the name and changed it. The Texian Army uses the same name as the Texas revolutionary army that fought and defeated Santa Anna during Texas’ fight for freedom. Even after 1836 was no more, the group decided to keep the name.

Favorite chants/songs?

“Oh Dynamo You Are My Love” and “Forza Houston” are our two most popular songs.

Why is being in the supporters section the “best seat in the house”? 

It’s where all the action is. Elsewhere in the stadium you’re just a fan. But being in the supporters’ section you feel as though you were part of something bigger, that your cheering “wills” the team to victory. And when your team does score, the section goes nuts.

Every soccer fan should spend one game with the supporters.

Brag. What makes your SG one of the best supporters groups in MLS?

Our tifo is top notch. We have a new banner for every opponent this year that’s a cartoon making fun of the opponent. We have come up with some good banners over the years. Next year at the new stadium is going to be exciting because it will be an opportunity to come up with all new banners for the occasion.

Our group also loves to travel. Texian Army members have amazing stories from seeing the Dynamo play at Pachuca and elsewhere. The annual trek to Frisco for the FC Dallas game is always fun because it is obvious that we are not wanted there. 

Greatest game(s) in team history?

It would be easy to say the very first game or the two MLS Cup championships, but there’s nothing l enjoy more than the games against FC Dallas. The first time we played them was a barnburner win, and one of the most exciting games ever was the home leg against them in 2007. There’s a lot of bad blood between the two teams and its fans alike. We don’t like each other, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Predictions for this season? 

The Dynamo get its only road win of the season in Frisco. Brad Davis finishes the season as the assists leader. The Dynamo don’t make the playoffs.

Why Major League Soccer? Why American soccer? 

Houston is our city. MLS is our league. If you truly enjoy soccer, why wouldn’t you want to watch soccer in your city? In your country? How can you be a fan of a team from a city (or country for that matter) that you’ve never been to? Plastic Man Utd and Chelsea fans are just as bad as plastic Red Sox and Yankees fans.

For more information and/or how to join the Texian Army go to their website.

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Free Beer Match Day Nine: Give Me 473.2 CCs of Beer! Stat!

Editor's Note: Just in case you didn't get the post title. The game was in Corpus Christi and, CC being a medical term, we calculated how many CCs it would take to fill a pint because, well, we like beer. 473.2 CCs to be exact. And there you have it. Nerd-dom at its finest.

Meet Free Beer Movement Pale Ale 1.0 (Austin, Texas)

The Free Beer Movement took to the road this past weekend to watch some pre-season Major League Soccer action between Texas rivals, Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Western Conference Champions and MLS Cup 2010 runners-up were humbled by their intra-state rivals, 4-0.

As always its the atmosphere of American soccer that makes the day even more special. Saturday became a day of not only watching American soccer, but celebrating the greatness of America soccer supporters groups.

We traveled with several members of the Austin Soccer Supporters Group, Chantico's Army, met up with the San Antonio SG, the Crocketteers, and then party-hardy with the Dynamo's Texian Army, El Battelion, and La Bateria.

A friend of ours has been working on a tribute beer for the Movement and this weekend was the release of the Free Beer Movement Pale Ale 1.0. What better way to spread the love of American soccer through free beer then a beer with our namesake?

Check out more photos from the event....

Read more »

Soccer Marketing 101 - Houston Dynamo Stadium Done Right

The Houston Dynamo broke ground for its new stadium this past weekend, another success and step forward for soccer in America. The 22,000-seat downtown stadium will open in 2012. For Dynamo fans, this has been a long tough battle, and now the two-time MLS Cup winners will have a place to call their own.

The Vision Production Group made an awesome video promoting the future stadium for the Dynamo's potential advertisers and partners. It is not only a great tribute to the hard work the team has put in on the field, but the culmination of the long road the front office and its fans had to get to this point.

Furthermore, its a testament, once again, to the lengths in which the sport has grown in the United States; that another major American city will have its own soccer specific stadium. Another Major League Soccer team out from the cavernous confines of a football stadium and the eye sore of the excessive amount of white lines. Another MLS side that's escaped from revenue sucking stadium rental agreements. Another MLS side that is looking forward, building its own feature, controlling its own financial destiny.

Lastly, Houston has a downtown stadium to call home. It might have been able to settle years earlier for something in the suburbs, but they didn't. Even when last fall's mayor race seemed to doom their plans (Annise Parker came out against building another stadium in Houston) they pushed forward. Parker was even at this weekend's event, shovel in hand. The Dynamo saw,with Texas rivals FC Dallas, the pitfalls of a stadium that, while shiny and new, if placed too far from the city, can flounder.

Their new marketing video contains a bit of celebration of the club's past and a bright look into its soccer-specific future.

Houston Dynamo Stadium Launch Marketing Video from VISION Production Group on Vimeo.

Photo Credit: Wilf Thorne / Houston Dynamo


[H/T to The Offside Rules for hipping us to this video.]


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VIDEO: ESPN Interview With Stu Holden

The American International is making waves for England's Bolton and ESPN has the scoop. Check out their interview/profile of the USMNT 2014 midfielder, Stu Holden.



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VIDEO - Pitch Invader "Handled" By Fan

This video has been making the rounds on the ol' Inter-Net-Blogo-Sphere today. From last week's Houston Dynamo and Red Bull New York game at Robertson Stadium in Houston. A pitch invader made his way across the field, hugged MLS débutante Thierry Henry, and then out-hustled security back into the stands.

Until he ran into "Daglish" who, should we say "returned" the pitch invader to the field.



Spotted on: The Offside Rules
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Photo Essay: Free Beer Match Day Seven - The Movement Makes the All-Star Game

With our Internet in shambles right now here's our photo essay from "Free Beer Match Day Seven" at the 2010 Major League Soccer All-Star Game.

Mrs. FBM and soccer newbies Spencer (to MLS) and Melissa (to everything).

Texian Army (Houston Dynamo Suporters Group). Note: Mrs. FBM slamming 'em home!

Football stadium playing a fine host to the real "futbol".

Dwight Yorke looking a bit less than "match fit".

Dude's gonna regret that tattoo in the morning.

FBM Founder "Daniel Beerseed" and "SuperFan" Erin with the lemonade and vodka bucket. 

Like a champ!

Sure, Manchester United fans, have a cold one on us. Phhhft.

Bomb's away!

Game on.

Place is getting packed!

Ready?

Chug!

"Beerseed" barely even trying.

Your winner. Like there was any question.

Let's do this.

Not the first or last time the MLS All-Stars would get walked over!

Tonight's gonna be a good, good night.

America. Fuck. Yeah.

Line ups.

A little too late for "the Most Interesting Man in the World," Landon Donovan.

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Free Beer Match Day Seven: The Movement Makes the All-Star Game

The Free Beer Movement is headed down Hwy 290 to Houston, Texas today for the Major League Soccer All-Star Game!  The best at the brightest of MLS will face off against English Premier League giants, Manchester United at 7:30pm CT on ESPN2.

We're hanging out with the crazy folks of the Houston Dynamo supporters group, the Texian Army for a bit of tailgate, beer swilling action.

We'll be armed (not in the Texas way you think!) with FBM stickers for anyone that can track me down.  I'll be in my maroon Free Beer Movement shirt from Objectivo probably sporting my white US Soccer hat.

The site will be quite for a couple of days then, but we'll post our standard photo essay when we get back so you can live vicariously through the Movement's day.


If you're looking for something to do in the meantime help us out by heading over to this post and give some advice to newly minted soccer fans from the World Cup.

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Free Beer Movement I-Team: Stu Holden and Joe Hart - Separated At Birth?

We'll get to the bottom of this for sure!

Photo Credit: Houston Dynamo/MLS, Getty Images


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Who We're Buying a Beer For...

We took a few weeks off from our beer buying column to work on a few other projects in the pipeline (including a contest we're announcing later this week!). This week we're back with a bang to honor a bunch of soccer-in-America leaders.

We're honored Sir Alex Ferguson in the past with beer, but this week we're loading up the ol' "SS Free Beer Movement" with some brews to make the cross-pond journey for his club, Manchester United. The worst kept secret in American soccer media was that the Red Devils would be showing up stateside to face the Major League Soccer All-Stars in Houston, Texas.

Additionally, United will be scurrying around the continent with games in Toronto, Philadelphia, and Kansas City in the run up to the clash in Houston.

This is obviously great news for all soccer fans in the U.S. and great for our domestic league to attract such a high profile opponent to face the MLS All-Stars. In years past the MLS's best have played games against fellow English Premier League sides Everton and West Ham, which are nice and all, but don't have the draw or the level of competition that Manchester United will bring to the States.

One of the world's most popular clubs their U.S. tour will continue to raise the profile of the sport in America and its especially encouraging that United will face American opposition in the form of MLS's All-Stars and several other domestic clubs. This will continue to increase the exposure of the league and highlight its players to the rest of the nation.

Of course we don't want to ignore the fact that there are many other clubs making U.S. tours this summer (Boca Juniors, Manchester City, AC Milan, etc), but the Red Devils tour and match up in Houston is certainly the highest profile match this summer (besides the obviously World Cup tournament going on!).

Manchester United has been chasing after Asia's money for the last couple of seasons so its a welcome turn to see them back stateside.

Also, great that the Free Beer Movement will be making the journey to H-town to witness such a great event and will be bringing soccer newbies along for the ride.

Beer worthy we say!

England, in general, is awesome. Obviously the U.S. is going to destroy the Three Lions come June 12th, but don't even think about saying anything bad about how they conduct an election. The FBM learned this week that in the British Isles pubs are often used as polling stations and it's not even frowned upon to vote drunk! Fantastic!

Even though this is hardly connected to soccer in America we thought it was worth noting (we'll buy a nice warm one for the new Prime Minister whenever they sort out the power sharing agreement) as a great system that we should emulate. Considering the fact that less than half of the eligible voters in the United States vote why not have polling stations at your local watering hole?

School, churches, and local VFWs are nice and all, but even once you look past the obvious benefits of drinking and voting there's the camaraderie that we'd all feel hanging around the bar celebrating American democracy (actually we're a republic or representative democracy). Plus, the prospect of food and drink deals for voting, we think, would really up the electorate participation.

I guess if we're going to stretch and connect this to soccer we'll try: if we all voted at bars and there happen to be a Champions League match day on a election Tuesday how great would that be to host a voting/free beer match day at your local bar/polling station!?!?!

Not buying it? Hey... we tried.

Lastly we're really loosening the ol' budget belts for another entire team, the Atlanta Beat, for their grand opening of the first Women's Professional Soccer soccer specific stadium

If you were glued to Fox Soccer Channel like we were Sunday night you would have had the chance to view the beautiful 8,300-seat home for women's soccer in the ATL. Quite a site that most men's teams (Austin included) would be jealous of. A great turnout for the stadia's debut as well despite the 1-0 loss.

Every single soccer-specific-stadium that's built in the U.S. is a step in the right direction and its great for the city of Atlanta and the investor-group of the Beat to have decided that there was enough support for American women's soccer in their town to push this endeavor forward. If you build it they will come. These are the sorts of efforts that the growth of American soccer is built upon.



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The FBM 6-Pack Interview Series: "Superfan" Erin

There are few people who completely embody the ideals of the Free Beer Movement more than our interview subject this week. We're chatting with Erin D. aka "SuperFan". Her USMNT fandom has been featured on "The Original Winger" and the US World Cup Bid site. If you follow her exploits on Twitter you'd also know that she's one of the biggest proponents of "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER" in the world.

This summer she's traveling to South Africa to follow the US National Team and to do so she's selling... what else? Beer koozies to help support her cause. If you're short any preservers-of-beer-coldness we highly recommend these. You can also follow her journey on her blog as well.

Erin was kind enough to share her story of soccer and beer and more beer. And just because a sixer isn't usually enough for Erin this "FBM 6-Pack" actually has a ninja beer attached to it; a bonus seven-pack! Read on.

1) You're often referred to a "SuperFan". Where did the nickname come from and how did you earn it? How do you plan on retaining such an honor?

It started after the USA vs Costa Rica game in Washington DC. The Original Winger did a write up and after it was posted it was linked to by the Go USA Bid for World Cup 2018/2022. When the did the brief write up/recap and linked to the original story, they titled it "MNT Superfan has her day in the sun (and rain)". My friends saw it...started calling me Superfan and it spread and ended up sticking. I went ahead and embraced it. There are worse things people could call me! . As far as retaining the nickname? I am just going to keep doing what I am doing...which is being passionate about the sport and my teams. There are plenty of other Superfans out there doing what I am and more. The more Superfans the better.

2) You also happen to enjoy beer a lot. What is it about beer and soccer that go so well together? What's your poison?

The camaraderie that comes with hanging around at a tailgate before a game and then marching into the stadium and giving it your all for 90 minutes...there is nothing like it. At the tailgates you get people from all walks of life. All nationalities and socio-economic groups are represented and the majority have two things in common: Beer and The Beautiful Game.

I can invite non soccer friends to a game and they are mildly interested....when they find out that soccer fans DO tailgate and drink beer before the game they become a lot more interested. I am pretty sure every person I've brought out to a game has enjoyed it immensely. When they get to the tailgate before the game they have this realization that soccer fans aren't that different than other sports fans in our country.

As far as my poison...being in Houston, it is HOT and SWAMPY for most of the MLS season. We also like to start our tailgates plenty early. I usually stick to a light beer. Plenty of people give me crap for that...and that's ok. I can definitely enjoy a good brew. At soccer games...I stick to the cheaper light stuff. I am a teacher after all...and the keg beer usually isn't anything too fancy.

3) You're a female island in a sea of male soccer fans. How do you feel about that? What's different about being a fan as a woman versus a man? What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages? What can American Soccer do to get a larger female fan base?

I love being around all the guys. They guys I hang out with know and respect me and always look out for me. They know I am passionate about the game and will give everything I have during the game. Being a woman and a fan...I'll sometimes meet guys who don't know me and find out I am a soccer fan. They will sometimes assume I know nothing about the game and are surprised when I do. I think an advantage is that I've got that group of guys that looks out for me. A disadvantage, like I said before, is when you go to an away game or the likes and you've got people who don't know you assuming you are there just because your with your husband or boyfriend. The assumption that I would only be there to be with a guy.

4) How many National Team matches have you attended? What are some of your favorite USMNT moments?

Let's see. My first USMNT game was last year in Chicago against Honduras. I had watched plenty of matches before but only last year REALLY started traveling for both club and country matches. From the moment everyone met up at the pregame bar before heading to the stadium, I was hooked. The atmosphere and passion was electric....and I felt at home. It was at that game that I KNEW I needed to go to World Cup. After that I went to the El Salvador game in Salt Lake City, Costa Rica in Washington DC and the last one I attended was the Honduras game in LA.

My favorite moments from games I attended would have to mostly come from the DC game vs Costa Rica. The emotions surrounding the game where just incredible. The energy and passion during the game. The stands at RFK just rocking for 90 minutes...and the last minute goal were just incredible feelings. Then after the game when all the players came around....it was all just a surreal experience. Another great moment would have to be watching the game a few days earlier vs Honduras. It was a closed circuit feed with only one US friendly bar in Houston showing it. The feed was horrible and you couldn't tell what was going on. But the passion in that place was just amazing. I was so happy to see that many people pack into a place...under the assumption of paying $20 just to watch the game (they ended up not charging cause of the poor feed). It was just amazing.

5) You're also a huge Houston Dynamo fan and a member of the Texian Army. Tell us why the Dynamo are the best team in Major League Soccer?

I respect our players and organization so much. Starting with the front office. They are always around and approachable. I've walked up to Oliver Luck at a few games to ask stadium and other questions and he is always open to answering them and talking to the fans. From the COO and Vice Presidents on down to the ticket reps. I have had nothing but great experiences.

As far as the players, not only do I enjoy watching them on the field...but what they do for the community day in and day out is just amazing. There are always players at Texas Children's Hospital talking and visiting with the kids. They are out there just being upstanding citizens in the community...but ones who are also approachable and love hanging out with their fans. They respect and care for their fans as well. I imagine that it is this way in many MLS cities as well and that every fan believes THEIR team is the best. That's great...the more players and fans around the league that are getting the word out about this great sport the better. The Dynamo and their players have a special place in my heart.


6) You're travelling to South Africa for the World Cup. How big of a trip is this for you? What games do you have tickets for? What are your hopes for the USMNT there?

This is a huge trip for me. The farthest I've been from Texas is Canada and Mexico. So for me to be going to South Africa is pretty big. I don't know if it will really hit me that I am going until I board that plane.

I have tickets to the three US group games. I also have tickets to the Netherlands vs. Denmark game and Brazil vs. Cote D'Ivoire. I am very excited. I would love to see the US win the whole thing. Do I think that has a high chance of happening...probably not. But why not dream big? Like I tell my students...you've got to set high goals. Settling for mediocrity just isn't good enough. Can I get cheesy here? What is the saying...Shoot for the moon and you'll always land among the stars? I say if you are going to the World Cup...your goal HAS to be winning it. Otherwise, why bother going?

7) You've begun raising money for your trip by selling koozies. Tell us some more about that campaign.

I am a single teacher with a mortgage (and a house that flooded last year and was unlivable for 6 months! Whole 'nother story). This is an expensive trip. I knew others were doing things to help raise funds for their trips so I started thinking. I thought about a shirt...but that could get expensive to produce and ship and you have to deal with sizes, etc. Then I thought about what would represent ME and knew I had to do a koozie.

I don't think they are as big in other parts of the US...but in Texas everyone has koozies for their beer/soda/water drinking. I guess when it is hot outside we are trying to keep our beers colder for a little longer. So, I had a friend help me with the design and got them printed up. I think that a koozie is something that any USA supporting person can use even if you aren't a big soccer fan. People get very patriotic when it is our country being represented...so I'd like to see a lot of people with USA koozies in their hands this summer! People can order them on my blog. I also plan on updating the blog while in South Africa. That was my main reason for starting it...so people can get a fans view of the World Cup by checking out the blog in June.

To order koozies you can go to: http://tinyurl.com/usakoozie

Meet Aztex Amber Ale (a Supporter's Group Brew)

A few months ago we posted a photo essay of the Free Beer Movement's participation in beer brewing with members of Chantico's Army, the supporter's group of the USL/NASL side Austin Aztex.

From the mind of one of CA's members, Ed, a team-specific brew was born, the Aztex Amber Ale. At long last the drink itself has gone through its natural process and is finished!

Ladies and gentlemen... Version 1.0 of Route 29 Brewery's Triple A!

Delicious, delicious beer.

Having bank rolled some of this batch (we're calling ourselves the AAA's "malt daddy"), the FBM is pretty happy with the results. The beer itself would stand up well against any of the ambers we've had previously. Traditionally, we've felt that ambers are traditionally weaker that other types of beer and we were initially hesitant to lend our backing to a "red" beer, but since it is the Austin Aztex color it was kind of a given. Ambers, themselves, always seem to be just too mild in flavor and coming from a Indian Pale Ale lover; it just lacks any punch.

This amber, however, has some good hops to it without being overwhelming. Just enough punch to set it apart from other, milder ambers, but not enough to argue that it couldn't be considered an amber. The color is a perfect amber (sorry our picture doesn't do it justice) and the liquid is free and clear of any floaties (a techincal term).

The only downside to the first batch is that the beer doesn't hold its carbonation as long as a standard beer. Between having a pint of the stuff sitting around (not the usual at FBM HQ mind you... just testing out the brew) and the bottle in the fridge the beer can get a little flat if not consumed in a reasonable amount of time.

Overall, for a first effort on this recipe our brewer Ed has done a fantastic job.

Ed hard at work.

Ed is already hard a work getting ready to brew another batch with some tweaks before the pre-match tailgate for the Aztex's exhibition March 14th opener against Major League Soccer side, Houston Dynamo. He acknowledged that the carbonation was a little inconsistent between each bottle and, being a fan of hoppy beers, he was hopping to kick it up a notch for the next batch.

There's something pretty unique about American soccer fans not only getting behind their local team, but getting behind making a beer that supports it as well.

Who We're Buying a Beer For...

More Major League Soccer love this week as two of our three brewski honorees hail from the domestic league while the other is a product of the American college system.

1) Landon Donovan

The cross-the-pond Major League Soccer product made waves this past week scoring his first goal for his English Premier League team, Everton. It was no Clint Dempsey super-strike, but the goal put LD on the score sheet and fueled Internet rumors of an extend loan deal for the Los Angeles midfielder.

As we've said time and time again any goal-scoring exploits for our boys overseas is good for the domestic game and the American soccer movement. Even if Lando doesn't come back at the beginning of the MLS season he is still a developmental success story for the league.

Donovan is the highest profile player MLS has ever had and continued success aboard is only going to help the US National Team this summer in South Africa. Fans of American soccer have to balance the want of Nats team success versus that of the league's profile with or without LD. It's a tough call, but we're willing to sacrifice the Galaxy's 2010 success at the expense of a Landon Dovovan sharp off a half season in the EPL.

Donovan's contributions to his new Everton side have already been well received by the Toffee faithful and his and fellow Nat Tim Howard's stellar play in goal has reversed the club's fortune's in England.

Here's the goal (fingers cross it hasn't been lawsuited out of the Inter-web-o-sphere):



2) Stu Holden

Speaking of developmental success stories for MLS... Stu Holden, a midfielder for the Houston Dynamo or should we say former midfielder for the Houston Dynamo. The USMNT starlet (and current replacement for Dempsey if he can't shake his injury) penned a loan deal with English Premier League mid-tablers Bolton.

Word on the street is that the "Iceman" is suffering from a mid-hamstring strain and so he didn't feature in the Wanders weekend action, but should see some PT real soon.

Going back to our point above; even as we, as fans of MLS, mourn the loss of our marquee players to foreign league, we need to be proud that the products of our league are desired in far away places. For now and the near future the league is focused on smart growth and player development. Obviously, there is the want to increase the level of play and, of course, the compensation of the players in the league (something up for discussion during the current collective bargaining agreement talks), but until the day comes that Major League Soccer is sustainable, compete salary-wise with the big boys, and an attractive option for American players and others we need to be satisfied that our league's best and wanted aboard.

If you managed to get through that last run-on sentence then congrats. The same congrats we want to extend to Holden for making the jump to the EPL. Even though the Dynamo will be hurting without him (and Ricardo Clark who made the jump to Germany.... probably should get him a beer, too) for the 2010 season each player no one would ever argue that Holden made the wrong call taking a European vacation.

3) Charlie Davies

ESPN's Ives Galarcep reported this past week that USMNT striker Charlie Davies was making a better, and faster, than expected recovery from his injuries sustained in that horrific car crash back in October 2009. Galarcep spoke to Davies and his training on his progress and received tons of welcome news for Nats team fans.

"Charlie is pretty much light years ahead of where anybody would tell you he should be," said Jim Hashimoto, the former U.S. national team trainer who is overseeing Davies rehabilitation. "When everybody heard about the accident, including myself, it was like, 'OK, this is going to be a long one' -- and it's still going to be a long one, but to see his progress is pretty amazing."

Just when it seemed as though the top players for the National Team we're going to be sidelined for South Africa our fortunes reversed. News out of England reported that Dempsey's injury is not as serious as previously thought, Jay DeMeritt is back from his eye injury, Gooch is on the mend in Italy, and Maruice Edu is seeing playing time at Rangers in Scotland again after an extend layoff.

With the USMNT squad looking more secure going forward it makes results like the friendly against Honduras look less troubling. With our European regulars manning the front lines against England on June 12th things are looking up.

Final words Charlie?

"I know I can come back and be one of the best strikers in the world. I know with the improvement that I'm making, if I can continue that with this new feeling I have now, it's going to be tough to stop me.I plan on making a difference at the World Cup."

Fuckin' sweet.

Who We're Buying a Beer For...

We're got an all-Major League Soccer line up this week for our brew list as we anxiously await the beginning of another domestic soccer season in America (especially since our Liverpool is dropping a big one in England). We're looking to honor the passion and drive that the league and fans are driving to support soccer in America.

1) Houston Dynamo Fans

New stadiums are popping up all over the United States, but sadly not yet for the Dynamo of Houston. The fourth largest city in the country recently elected a new mayor and not the guy who favored building the two-time MLS champions their new casa.

Despite this obvious set back, Dynamo fans rallied last week to highlight their cause to move out of their college digs, Robertson Stadium. A bit of fan activism that shows that American soccer is trying to flex its collective muscle and add another soccer-specific-stadium to the league.

Playing soccer in a college (and probably a throw-ball) stadium is exactly like living in a college place. For a while it's nice just to have a place to play/live; you don't mind the fact that your roommates are slobs or their are football lines on the field and the sidelines look like a bulldozer ran down them. Sure, you really like the "quaint-ness" of sharing a bathroom with four other guys and, sometimes, their girlfriends or sharing with a NFL franchise that cares nothing for soccer (I'm looking at you Krafts and Patriots).

But its time to graduate and get a real place. Time to take down the Bob Marley posters and stop eating only Jack's frozen pizzas for dinner. Time to stop sharing gate and concession revenue and have some space to put up your championship banners not hidden in a corner.

Time to take action. Here's to the Texian Army and Houston Dynamo fans fighting the good fight!

2) Kansas City Wizards

And see what hard work will get ya? The Wiz broke ground for their new stadium this past week. Great news for the soccer-specific stadium movement in America. While the stadium won't be completed until the 2012 season it just highlights how important for the sport to grow in the U.S. it is to have great facilities for our teams.

That can only happen if we, as soccer fans, invest our time and money in these local clubs. If you are an soccer fan in American you have an unique opportunity to be a "financial founding father" of this sport. Our hard-earned dollars, put to good use in American soccer clubs, proves to the powers-that-be that it is worth the time and money investment for them to build stadiums, develop quality players, and serve their fans as best that can.

Clubs like Toronto, Seattle, and this year's expansion team, Philadelphia have proven that fan activism is THE key to successful club growth in American soccer.

3) Sons of Ben

The FBM just got done reading this month's issue of Soccer America that featured an article about the new Major League Soccer franchise in Philly. With their inaugural season about to kick off this spring its important to think about just how important the supporter's group, the "Sons of Ben" were to bringing soccer to the "City of Brotherly Love".

The SOBs (nice abbreviation!) began in 2007 on the 301st anniversary of their namesake Benjamin Franklin's birthday and quickly grew to be a supporter's group numbering in the thousands despite the fact that Philadelphia had no MLS team. With a rumored franchise on the way the group formed a strong backbone to the city's MLS bid creating a season ticker drive that in 2007 that netted 2,800 requests!

With their team's first season on the horizon nearly 9,000 of the allotted 12,000 season tickets have already been snatched up by Union supporters. The SOBs efforts have allowed the league to post another public relations triumph even before kickoff of their 15th season.

Fan-led efforts are creating momentum for soccer all across the United States. While the Free Beer Movement is small-fries now this is the wave we're trying to ride as well. When we're in Philly we'll be sure to stop by McGillin's Old Ale House and buy them a round.