We continue our new series on the Free Beer Movement. It's called "Brews and Views" and we pose a question or topic to various prominent soccer persons and, well, they give us their view on it.
We've got loads of get people that have already responded to our call for essay submissions and each week we'll feature a unique perspective on the current topic/question at hand. Kicking it off (pun intended) we're asking our respondents the question, "Why American soccer?".
As inhabitants of the U.S. of A we've got loads of soccer viewing options and limited amount of time. We want our panel of essayists to make their case as to why the American version of the world's game is the one we should all invest in.
Regularly readers know where we stand on this issue. Buy American. It's ours. Build and shape it so it ranks as one of the premier leagues in the world.
The series will include such diverse voices as former U.S. Men's National Team player Alexi Lalas, The Shin Guardian, MatchFit USA's Jason Davis, Church of Soccer, Nutmeg Radio, FutFanatico, MLS Insider, and many more.
Interested in submitting your own answer to the question, "Why American soccer?", then send us an email with your response. Please keep your submission to under 1000 words (that's like 2.5 pages typed!) and include a picture that you feel goes well with your response. Send it to freebeermovement(at)gmail.com.
This week we've decided to start the series with two contributions. Wednesday we heard from SB Nation's Jeremiah Oshan; today an answer to our "Why American Soccer?" question AND a tribute to former Major League Soccer player and FC Dallas TV analyst Bobby Rhine who passed away Monday at 35 after suffering a heart attack.
The essay is written by Zach Woosley (also known as "The Ginge"), host of several shows on the Champions Soccer Radio Network and writer at his own site, "Ginge Talks the Footy".
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| Photo Credit: C1 Photography |
Because that’s what Bobby Rhine would want.
For years Bobby and players like him gave everything to the game of soccer in America, not because it would make them rich and famous, but because they loved the game. They formed bonds with the fans who built the foundations of the modern supporters culture while the players built the foundation for the growth and success we’re experiencing today.
Bobby would want us to be proud of our sport and to treat it with the respect and adoration it deserves. To enjoy every moment we have with the game and to share it with everyone we can so maybe they can experience the love and passion that is so much a part of our lives.
Most importantly Bobby would want us to remember that when the 90 minutes are over, the game should be about bringing us together and uniting us, not pulling us apart. No matter how heated things on the field, when the whistle blows there are more important things like friends and family that deserve the same love and passion we give to the game.
We have the unique opportunity to help continue shaping a sport and it’s culture in the coming years. As soccer stands on the verge of further growth and attention, we set the tone for how the rest of the country will view the game. We want them see the good that comes from the game and the positive influence it can have.
We have the chance to make American soccer something better than what it sometimes is across the globe. Let’s leave out the ugliness that sometimes creeps into soccer and focus on making our game about unity and acceptance.
Let’s love American soccer like Bobby Rhine did and always remember to smile.
Why? Because he would want us to.
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