MLS Fight Night - Rafa Leaves His Marquez

Editor's Note: Before we even write anything... let's get this out of the way... Everyone's favorite American soccer commentator with his best line ever (that's not really saying much with that), "Marquez fell. Maybe a fly got into his eye."

Watching Major League Soccer highlights last night one might think hockey season broke out. Sporting KC's Kei Kamara mixing it up against Matt Pickens and the Colorado Rapids was the nightcap, but the undercard in the early evening proved to be the most compelling.

The American soccer world is buzzing about the post-game handbags between New York Red Bulls Rafael Marquez and LA Galaxy's Juninho. One of the league's DPs in a brouhaha with the Galaxy's midfield cog.

The whole incident (video embedded at the end of the post) started at the final whistle when Marquez, with a history of animosity towards American internationals, threw the game ball at Landon Donovan. There's been some dispute as to whether the Red Bull midfield was throwing the ball back to the ref or at Donovan, but it seems pretty unlikely that the latter explanation outweighs the former.

Either way, Adam Cristman jumped to Donovan's defense, leading Marquez and Galaxy forward to exchange poorly thrown punches (Cristman got a good couple of shoves in there, but man Marquez whiffed). Midfielder Juninho arrives on the scene and as both teams involved themselves in the fray and a trailing elbow (maybe? hard to see...) from the Brazilian struck New York's Stephen Keel. The defender took a theatrical tumble and, Marquez, seemingly mentally attached to Keel, did so too, under some sort of phantom contact from an unknown assailant.

The instigator now became the victim.

Donovan had plenty of choice words for the behavior and play of the Red Bulls squad, alleging their East Coast rivals are a "cheap team". 

On the plus side... David Beckham was able to avoid getting into the fight. That's incredible self-restraint from the man.

In the end, though, this is all about Rafael Marquez and his continual immature behavior. The former Mexican international has a bad reputation of for these types of incidents from the Cobi Jones headbutt to the karate kick to Tim Howard. Earlier in the season he criticized his New York teammates for not being good enough and was suspended for a match for the remarks. 

In his two seasons with the Red Bulls Marquez has solidified himself on the "busts" list of MLS designated players, notching just two goals and six assists and generating quite a lot of accusations of being lazy and unproductive for his side.

Red Bull coach Hans Backe deserves some blame, naming Marquez captain upon his return from suspension and rolling out bizarre rosters (16 players, anyone?) and tactics that would (and have) frustrated any marquee player (ask Theirry Henry how happy he's been this season).

So maybe Rafa wanted to be done with the 2011 season? Maybe he was just tossing the ball back to the ref? Maybe he's kind of a jerk? 

Either way Marquez isn't what New York needs in its midfield for 2012 and building for the future (next season the Mexican will be 33) and so why not get it done and over with now. Red Bulls have the money to go out and look for a new DP with less baggage and more motivation. The long-suffering fans of New York deserve better than watching a side struggle and slough through this sort of drama.

Better Know A Supporters Group" Viking Army Supporters Club

We're still here!

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 the New York Red Bulls' Viking Army Supporters Club. 

As told to the Free Beer Movement by Viking Army's Greg Buchberger.

The Basics


SG Name: Viking Army SC

MLS Club: Red Bulls New York

Stadium: Red Bulls Arena

Year SG Founded: 2010

Section Name (if other than SG name): South Ward is the name of the supporters end of the stadium (Sections 101, 102, 133).

Any other SGs apart of your section? Empire Supporters Club (Section 101), Garden State Supporters (Sec 133)

Location of SG in Stadium (section #, side, direction): South end behind goal, Section 102.

The Meaty Questions


What are the origins of your groups’ name?

New York had a disastrous season in 2009 which prompted a major shakeup in the front office. Erik Soler (Norway) was brought in as well as Hans Backe (Sweden) and Joel Lindpere (Estonia? ESTONIA!? Close enough...). We had a brand new beautiful Stadium, we were winning and a glimmer of hope grew in the South Ward. Our Founders showed up to games wearing mock Viking helmets as a sign of affection for Hans Backe. The Hans Backe Viking Army was born.

During the offseason between 2010 and 2011 the process began in growing to a recognized supporters group. We changed our name to Viking Army Supporters Club for sustainability, since no coach lasts forever. As to the sustainability of a Viking them when/if all the Scandinavians have left, well, we still call our team the Metros, so what does it matter?

Favorite chants/songs?

As Long As I'm Breathing, New York’s Red And White, We’ll Be Coming.

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


The 12th man concept is not cliché, it’s fact. Supporters involve themselves in the experience and are more than passively witnessing a spectacle; they are a part of it, and what makes soccer unlike any other experience in the world.

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

We literally have members all over the world. Some found us by following their players career from afar now that they transferred to Red Bull New York, others walked past us pregaming and wondered what all the hubbub is about. Whether near or far, home or away, day or night, we are constantly brainstorming on how to show our love for the team, have a few laughs along the way, and to prove our theory that if a free beer gets people to games, then a pitcher hooks 'em for life. And we don't care if you want to wear a Viking helmet or not, just SING!

Greatest game(s) in team history?


As painstakingly recorded by the tireless archivists at MetroFanatic, the best game of all time is May 5, 2001: MetroStars 3, DC United 2.

Down 2-0 at home against your Archrival is not happy, especially since Metro was not playing particularly well up to that point. Then Clint Mathis scored in the 79th minute, and Rodrigo Faria equalized in the 88th minute. And then amazingly, in the 90th minute Petter Villegas slotted in for the win.

Then again there was August 26, 2000: Dallas Burn 4, MetroStars 6

Score once it’s a goal. Twice it’s a brace. Three times you have a hat trick. FIVE times you are Clint Mathis.

More recent memory… June 2, 2010: NYRB 2, Dynamo 1. JPA scores on a set piece for a win at very last minute. Crowd went wild… you had to be there.

Predictions for this season?

Realistically, many empty kegs and an end to the 16 year cupless drought. Optimistically… We want the Cup!

Why Major League Soccer? Why American soccer?

Many great names have come through this league over time, and only getting better. MLS is becoming more than just a career extension for the aged, it's an opportunity to get minutes and be a part of building history instead of riding on what’s already been built.

As a result, the game and the culture surrounding the beautiful game in the US is unlike anywhere else in the soccersphere, and it is breathtaking watching it blossom.

For more information and/or to join about Viking Army check out their website.

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VIDEO - MLS All-Star First XI

Major League Soccer announced the starting eleven that will face Manchester United July 27 at Red Bull Area.

Here's a video from MLS breaking down the selections. Who's missing in your opinion?



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NEWS WATCH - Red Bull Arena to Host 2011 All-Star Game Against TBA

After all the hub-bub the announcement was a little less than "major", but it was nice none-the-less. Major League Soccer will be returning to the New York/New Jersey area for the 2011 All-Star Game. Harrison, NJ and the shiny, almost-new Red Bull Arena will host world super club TBA on July 27th.

Wait... did we say TBA? Oh yeah we did. The All-Stars' actually opponent will be announced at a later date.

Point is, though, that the 2011 event will be at one of the league's finest stadiums. RBA debuted to great fanfare last season and one of MLS' marquee events deserves to be in a proper soccer specific stadium. Not that last year's ASG at Houston's Reliant wasn't great.... it was just in a football stadium.

Rumor has it that Barcelona could fit the mid-season classic into their U.S. tour much like Manchester United did last year.

We don't deal with rumor on this site... only cold, hard facts of course.

Video from the announcement:




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Who We're Buying a Beer For...

It's been quite a while since we've run our "Who We're Buying A Beer For" column that honors individuals and groups that help grow the game in the United States. With a busy World Cup season behind us, the middle of the Major League Soccer season upon us, and the beginning of the European leagues on the horizon it's time to get back in the beer buying swing of things.

We're not in the business of debating the merits of mid-season exhibition matches for our MLS sides. Plenty of people going on about how no self-respecting league would disrupt their season calendar (but then again the EPL has the Carling Cup which is about as worthless of a tournament as we've ever seen), but no one will argue that these "Summer of Soccer" series playing out across the U.S. have been anything but a boon to our domestic game and the visibility and profitability of the teams involved in the matches. There are some 41 (we think...) international teams that have or will have played a match stateside and there's no doubt that the world sees America as a soccer hotbed and a place ripe for investment. Unless your Portsmouth.... then coming here was a terrible idea.

But as American soccer fans watch on in starred-eyed wonder as the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, etc come to our shores its worth taking stock in the fact that our domestic sides are putting up one hell of a fight against their "superior" opponents. Now many of these European giants are rolling out their youngsters and B/C-sides, but that shouldn't take away the fact that even that wouldn't have been possible even a few short years ago.

Kai Kamara going all "Poltergeist" on the ball.

So kudos to the Kansas City Wizards and Red Bull New York for convincing wins against Manchester United and Manchester City, respectively. The beer's on us! Perhaps a Boulevard for The Wiz and some Brooklyn Brewery for New York (not RB and Vodka, for sure).

New York hosted a great little tourney over the weekend, the Barclays New York Football Challenge with clubs City, Tottenham, and Sporting Clube de Portugal. A great feature for the new home of former French international Thierry Henry. He bagged his first goal for the Bulls and we're tickled pink as to what he might bring to MLS for the rest of the season and beyond.

Kansas City was the fourth stop on United's five city "US Tour" (that included a stop in Toronto, CANADA) and Manchester's loss to the 10-man Wizards. In The Guardian they used the word “embarrassing.” The Daily Mirror calls it a “surprise” while The Sun used the term “preseason shocker.” We call it "fun".

Fun that 50,000+ came out to Arrowhead Stadium in the heart of the Midwest to see a soccer match. Fun that, hopefully, many of them will return to watch the Wizards for the rest of the season. Fun that KC launched their 2011 season ticket drive for seats in their brand new stadium on the back of this game. Fun that catching a soccer match on a beautiful Sunday evening is the perfect end to the weekend.

Wayne Bridge, check your bedroom. You just got scored on again.

Lest we forget that Red Bulls took a scalp as well on Sunday. Henry and Co., falling to Tottenham on Friday were the top team on yesterday afternoon over Blankchester City. Dane Richards was an absolute beast and burned Wayne Bridge like he was John Terry in his bedroom (Ouch! Couldn't resist!). One (spectacular) goal, one assist. Now only if he could do that in league play. Over the weekend nearly 100,000 caught four games in the sparkling Red Bull Arena.

This Wednesday the "fun" continues as the Major League Soccer All-Stars will play Manchester United in Houston, Texas. The Free Beer Movement will be there and we're looking forward to a spirited, if in the end, meaningless match.

What do all these international friendlies mean to us Americans? Money in the bank for the foreign teams for sure, but in a larger sense it puts the thought in the heads of many Americans, soccer fans and otherwise, that the U.S. is a great destination for top-notch soccer and the home of some pretty good games as well.

We'll drink to that.

Photo Credits: Getty Images

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VIDEO - Thierry Henry's Debut for Red Bull New York (from MLS MatchDay 360)

Coolest part?

Henry scores in his Red Bulls debut and repeatedly points to the turf saying "I'm here. I'm here."

Yes. You are.

Welcome to America.

Welcome to Major League Soccer.

May you help build this great sport in this great country.

Thoughts on Henry's debut? His impact on Major League Soccer? Soccer in America in general? Leave 'em in the comments section.



Photo and Video Credit: Major League Soccer

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Shit-Faced Look-A-Likes #3

Maybe you see it. Maybe you don't. Maybe it was just something that we thought we saw after a hard nights drinkin'. A quick glance and there is was. A brief semblance of recognition between one personality of the soccer world and something random outside of it.

It's "Shit-faced Look-A-Likes" a new feature from the Free Beer Movement!

Up next:

One's a maniac leader stuck on an mysterious and weird island and the other is a character from the hit ABC show from "Lost".

Richard Alpert ---------------------------------Juan Pablo Angel

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Video Viernes: The Path to Red Bull Arena

Beautiful new advert for New York Red Bulls and their new stadium. Every MLS side should have something as attention grabbing and powerful as this.



Read about the new Red Bull Arena.

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Who We're Buying a Beer For...

We've got a real cosmopolitan group of beer honorees this week for all you loyal readers. From rap moguls, to government administrators, to bricks and mortar we've got it all here for you at the Free Beer Movement.

First off is the modern renaissance man Mr. P. Diddy aka Sean Combs. Rapper, producer, fashion designer and now, maybe, owner of Crystal Palace FC. According to several reports out of the British press (and a few domestic sources) the formerly named "Puffy Daddy Diddle Do" is looking to help out the cash strapped and administration-threatened club.

We're not entirely in favor of having sports team become the playthings of American millionaires (or from any country for that matter), but having such a high profile owner, as long as run responsibly (which from the sounds of how Palace has been run so far ANYTHING would be better) could help raise the profile of the sport in America. Which is, of course, what we're all about.

And let's face it (prepare yourselves for a bit of an aside) American soccer could use a little more P Diddy in its life. We're sorry.... but if you have to choose the metrosexual, probably Robbie Williams-listening, David Beckham as the "hip" face of American soccer or the diamonds and Cristal world of Diddy we're going to come down on the side of the rap star.

American soccer, despite the great stories of Altidore, Davies, Howard, Onyewu, and other black players lacks the draw in an African-American community dominated by basketball. Any in-roads down this path is a positive step forward. Coming from an un-hip white guy, we'd take some hip-hop culture in the game. This is a good start as well.

Beer? Cristal (how appropriate!)? What's your poison P Diddy? It's on the FBM.

From the top of the charts to the backrooms and boardrooms of Washington DC comes a beer for Federal mediator George H. Cohen (standing behind Don Garber in light gray suit) who was the keystone in the Major League Soccer owners and Players' Union finding agreement to avoid a work stoppage the week the League was supposed to kick off its 15th season.

The Obama appointee was brought in last week to be the glue that binds and he worked his mediating magic to bring the two sides back from the brink. What seemed like an impossible situation a few short days ago came to a satisfying resolution Saturday afternoon.

So while the federal government is getting shat all over week in and week out American soccer fans have one thing to thank the paper pushers in DC about; a domestic soccer season brought back from the brink.

Don't even know if this pencil neck drinkings, but we'll meet up with him at Molly Malone's with the rest of DC United's Barra Brava to buy him a few rounds.

Lastly, this week saw the grand opening of the new jewel in the soccer specific stadium crown of Major League Soccer, New York Red Bulls' Red Bull Arena. We're not sure if buildings drink beer, but maybe we'll just poor a few out at the front gate.

Even the New York Times' George Vecsey was impressed and recently that publication has been on the FBM's shit list. We're glad that rag cleaned up its act. Now we can focus on the Washington Post and douche-hole Chad Norman

For as disappointing as New York has been as a MLS franchise (minus their Cinderella run to the Cup Final the year before) it is good to see such positive investment in soccer in the Big Apple.

A worldly city finally gets the world's game. And as much as people mock the purchase of the side by the energy drink, Red Bull, there's no way this stadium gets built without their money. So hats off to them... even if you turned a team into a walking billboard. That's cool.

Check out this great video from opening night, a 3-1 victory over Pele's former and Robinho's current Brazilian side, Santos.





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