While watching US national team forward Herculez Gomez and club team Santos Laguna's Liga MX playoff game on Thursday night, one couldn't help but notice the magisterial nature of the mustache residing on Gomez's upper lip. Every time the camera cut in close on him, the furry caterpillar was all I could look at.
Sure, Gomez's facial hair of the month isn't exactly breaking news as he's been sporting it and tweeting about it for some weeks now, but given that it's a laid back Friday here at MLSsoccer.com, it's still awesome enough to take a trip down memory lane and remember some of the best — and worst — mustaches in MLS and American soccer history.
First up, the current trend setter and "mustache of the moment," Herculez Gomez. [Mexsport]
Who could forget current Rapids color commentator and former US national team legend Marcelo Balboa? [Action Images]
In what feels like a long, long time ago — only 13 years — forward Alex Comas played two seasons for the MetroStars in 2000-01, and brought his mustache stateside with him. [Action Images]
Coming to the current crop of MLS and American players to sport the look, Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan. (Getty Images)
Then-FC Dallas defender Heath Pearce followed suit in 2010, going for the "Magnum" look. (Courtesy of FC Dallas)
Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty made this furry-hatted photo his Twitter avatar in early 2012, and it's stuck ever since. [Dax McCarty, @DaxMcCarty11]
Even David Beckham himself joined the mustache fraternity at MLS Cup 2012. [USA Today]
Perhaps most alarmingly, then-Chivas USA midfielder Blair Gavin drew the stink-eye from a fourth official in a 2012 game against the Galaxy. (Courtesy of Chivas USA)
Benny Feilhaber's mustache: March-April, 2013. Rest in peace, little fella. [Action Images]
Maybe the greatest ginger mustache ever, Alexi Lalas tweeted this pic — with family pup — before a 2012 playoff broadcast on ESPN. [Alexi Lalas, @AlexiLalas]
Not to be outdone, Kasey Keller went for an even more stated look before a playoff broadcast that same year. [Cork Gaines, @CorkGaines]
And, as always, the best must be saved for last. Without further caption, I present to you US national team defender Desmond Armstrong, who racked up 81 US caps and this incredible photo:
Best? Worst? Most outrageous MLS or American soccer mustache choice ever? Also, tell us who was wrongfully left off the list.
