I can't prove it, but I have a feeling that the surge of American soccer fans around World Cup times is largely female. And while there's plenty of reasons to fall in love with The Beautiful Game, it's nice that most of the guys also have The Beautiful Body.

Yes, soccer guys are the hottest, starting in high school when the footie team is smarter, less self important and more likely to be a little indie than the typical worship-me Texas football team. And I haven't even mentioned their calves yet. Oh, those calves!

Luckily for Houston ladies (and men), the Dynamo proudly continue the tradition of hiring the hottest athletes around. I'm not going to deny the sex appeal of a Shane Battier, Michael Bourn, Owen Daniels or Brad Ausmus (who may be gone from Houston but is not forgotten). But the Dynamo has crush objects for every taste, whether it's the fratty SoCal looks of Mike Chabala, the piercing blue eyes of Bobby Boswell (he's from Austin but he has that intense Eastern European look), the megawatt smile (and royal lineage) of Kofi Sarkodie, the Jersey Shore style of Geoff Cameron, the surfer style and washboard abs of Brian Ching or the French-Canadian ginger spice of André Hainault.

As a bonus, the closer-to-earth pro soccer lifestyle means these guys are more involved in the community. This is one specimen of pro athlete that's relatively easy to spot in the wild — if you're looking. Dynamo tend to hang out in packs, and can often be found in Rice Village and on Washington Avenue.

I love that Houston has so many good sports teams to follow — and yes, I focus (mostly) on the action, not the players. But just like the cheerleaders are a fun distraction for the guys, the Dynamo abs players make soccer that much more appealing.

What can I say? We like it hot.