Movember - American Soccer Edition

After a long hiatus, I've decided to return to the blog!
Life has been very busy lately and unfortunately, my blog had to take a back seat.

Movember has come around again, and this is a topic very close to my heart. Cancer has affected my family in various ways, and I greatly appreciate Cancer awareness, especially the special attention MLS pays to it. For the first time this year, I am participating in Movember as well. As my first post-break article, I decided to compile a "Best Of" list of mustaches by American soccer players (both MLS and USMNT players) and personalities, ranked 5 to 1.

Best American Soccer Mustaches

5. Marcelo Balboa

Marcelo Balboa ranks in at number 5 on my list. Marcelo is one of the best players in USMNT history, known primarily for his bicycle kicks. His mustache was not too shabby either!

4. David Beckham

Becks comes in at number 4 on my Movember countdown. The world's best known footballer and former Galaxy superstar managed to make a unique mustache look fantastic. While the critics lampooned David calling his look "pirate chic", Beckham managed to pull off a mustache and now it is just as well-known as his signature set pieces.

3. Shep Messing

Shep Messing, known to many as the first American soccer, star sits at number 3. Shep is probably best known as the NY Cosmos goalkeeper from their Golden Era. Known for his flair and personality, Shep's mustache was an image just as synonymous with the Cosmos as Chinaglia scoring a goal. Shep's iconic mustache is an image all Cosmos fans remember fondly.

2. Sacha Kljestan

Sacha Klestan's mustache is the most iconic current mustache in my opinion. Sacha's 'stache has become part of his image and the Belgian fans of Sacha's club Anderlecht have identified with it. This past summer I visited Belgian for a day, and naturally decided to visit Anderlecht's stadium and proshop (where I picked up a Kljestan jersey). While waiting to get my jersey printed, the lady working the counter shouted, "Le Mustache!" or "The Mustache!" immediately referring to Sacha. As I wore my jersey around Belgium the rest of the day, the locals would shout, "SACHA! L'américaine avec la moustache!" Or, "SACHA! The American with the mustache!"

The look has resonated and given Kljestan an identity with the locals.

1. Alexi Lalas 

Alexi Lalas ranks in at number one (as if there was any surprise). Better known for his iconic look of long red hair, mustache and beard, Alexi was the first iconic, highly recognized member of the US Men's National Team. As the years passed, Alexi decided to clean up his look and shave the beard and mustache and cut his hair. Alexi's clean shaven look was a shock to many, but Alexi has proven he still has his stache skills by growing a fantastic mustache last year for Movember and has matched his feat in a matter of days again this year. 

Alexi puts every other mustache to shame. 

What do you think of this list?

Am I missing anyone? Leave your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to keep an eye out for future posts!