Some people say there is no history in American soccer. They think that there was nothing before MLS, or maybe NASL. they think that soccer has always been rooted in the major cities, and that community clubs are alien to American sporting culture.
Those people have clearly never encountered the Milwaukee Bavarians.
Formed by German American immigrants in 1929 as Fussball Club Bayern (Football Club Bavaria), the club have been a force in Wisconsin, and national, soccer almost since their inception. They have won eight national championships, and five National Amateur Cups. Last season, they won both the National Amateur Cup and the USPL National Championship, beating Sporting AZ 3-2 in the final.
Suffice it say, these boys are good.
But the club is also much more than a men's senior operation. They run youth teams from 8U upwards, as well as training from as young as 6U. Currently, the Bavarian Soccer Club supports teams for boys and girls from ages 6 to under - 100. Like DKCU they are a non-profit operation that seeks to represent its local community both on and off the pitch.
Perhaps their most famous alumni is Bob Gansler, former head coach of the US national team, who guided the men to the 1990 World Cup. This was a team made up primarily of amateurs and and college players, so it was no mean feat.
Unlike DKCU however, Bavarians are their own masters. They operate out of a 15 acre complex just to the north of Milwaukee, which is really something to behold, and definitely aspirational for many of our peer clubs.
This weekend's match-up promises to be a tough one. The Greens could definitely use your support. If you fancy making the relatively short tri up to Milwaukee, full details of the vebue can be found here . Be sure to check out their clubhouse wuhile you are up there. The Bavarian Bierhaus is a goldmine of US, Wisconsin and Milwaukee soccer history. Plus, there's beer.
See you there! And if you can't be there, all the usual places will be updated with the address for the live feed. Can't promise you the professionalism of Brien Martin, but we all have our crosses to bear.