Alas, we've come to the end. Of the special, that is. Not the Bogotá derby. Oh that's still going on. And will continue for a long time. Actually, right now, these are golden days. In it's 66 year history, both these Bogotá clubs have never been able to sustain themselves near the top of the league for such a long time. Colombia's two semester, 8-playoff team system certainly helps. But every Millonarios-Santa Fe match in recent years has had significance. The way a derby should be.

In the big picture, Millos firmly hold the upper hand. In 290 clásicos to date, they've won 111 to Santa Fe's 78. Their 14 league titles, the most of any team in Colombia (but Atlético Nacional with 13 and now two in a row are fast on their heels), also doubles Santa Fe's seven. But Santafereños will always remind them that they were the first. The OGs. Colombia's first-ever title holders in 1948.

The Bogotá derby is fascinating and historic sports theater with legends like Alfredo di Stefano, Wilington Ortíz, René Higuita and Alfonso Cañon in past playbooks. And all this has almost entirely escaped North American attention. But if you want to learn about Colombia's football in a hurry, look no further than the rivalry heating up its capital.

This special was originally produced for and published by NTN24/RCN in Bogotá.

The third installment in our special on 'el clásico capitalino' features the biggest problem marring the resurgence of Colombian soccer. Supporter violence. Certainly not an issue exclusive to Colombia, soccer fan violence highlights a crippling issue in most Latin American countries. 

Organized supporter groups called 'barras bravas' are often the culprits of stadium riots, violent clashes between rival supporters and worse, fights amongst supporters of the SAME team. Too many innocent deaths, supporter bans, and matches played in empty stadiums have taken place in recent years due to hooliganism in Latin America, and Colombia specifically. After speaking to fans, media, and club officials of Millonarios and Santa Fe, we find the magnitude of the problem is not totally agreed upon.

While they all say it's a rotten few who spoil the reputation of supporter culture in Colombia, is supporter violence fútbol's problem, or the manifestation of deeper social issues? And where should the onus lie? On the clubs or the government? It's more complex than you think...

Here is the first installment in a four-part special on the historic Bogotá derby I produced for NTN24, a Colombian-based international news outlet. Everyday we'll post another part in the series, which starts off with an in-depth look at the wild passion of both Millonarios and Independiente Santa Fe fans.

If you aren't familiar with Colombian soccer, it's ridden a roller coaster in the past few decades, which this special aims to capture through the scope of this huge rivalry in the capital. Considered one of the best leagues in the world in the late 80s and early 90s thanks to the backing of drug cartels, Colombian soccer suffered after the government stepped in to clean up the game. Today, it's enjoying a resurgence. Despite tumultuous times, the passion of these fútbol crazy fans has never wavered. 

The special features interviews in both Spanish and English with Millos and Santa Fe club presidents, legendary Colombian football journalist Henry 'Bocha' Jimenez, and fans of both clubs. That dude with the goofy walk at 1:08? That's me.

Also, this is somewhat similar to what we're going for with American Fútbol. As informative, with similar club access, but less newsy and more artistic. Obviously, there's no way we gain access to an archive of footage like NTN24 has, but it's more stories like these we'll produce on our trip.

Apologies for the silence around here of late, but there sure is lots bubbling under the surface in the world of American Fútbol. Believe it or not, coaxing donations out of in-laws and bartering with Colombian car dealers for a sponsored vehicle is taxing work.

However, this week we did have time for a chat with an MLS official about the growing Latino impact in MLS. Of the roughly 460 players in the league in 2013, 142 hailed from Latin America or are of Hispanic descent. When 30% of your domestic league is Latino, it's an impact worth exploring, no?

Gabe Gabor has been with MLS and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) since the early days, starting off with the now defunct Miami Fusion, and now serves as an International Communications representative. He’s seen the ups and downs of the league, and has been behind the Latino outreach from day one. As an Argentinian based in Miami, he’s certainly well-placed to comment on the topic. Here’s our Q&A with Gabe:

First off, Latino representation on the field has never been better, but what about in the stands? What is MLS doing to try and get more Latino supporters through the gates?

Good question. First of all, we know have the highest percentage of Hispanic viewers and fans of any other pro sports league in the US.

However, our mentality on increasing this percentage has changed. It used to be ‘Let’s convert sports fans into soccer fans.’ Now, it’s ‘Let’s convert soccer fans into MLS fans.’ But in terms of Hispanics, we aren’t telling the Boca Juniors fan in New York City, or the Santa Fe fan in Miami 'you should stop supporting their teams.' But obviously, you can only support these clubs remotely, through TV. So if you want the stadium experience, then support your local team. That’s the message we have to get through. And each team in the league has it’s own marketing initiative toward Hispanics that are trying to do that.

We also have the most robust Hispanic media outreach of any U.S. sports league. Whereas other leagues have a Hispanic recognition month, we’ve been doing it every month since the start of the MLS. Hispanics are part of our DNA. A huge chunk of our players originate from Hispanic countries, as do our fans, and we've recognized that from the beginning.

With the recent departures of Michael Farfan (Philadelphia), Rafael Baca (San Jose), Jose Villarreal (LA) and the most recent circus with Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver), is there any concern in MLS about losing top Latino talent? 

No. MLS has and will continue to become a more desirable league for players from Latin America. Why? Because we have top training facilities, it's secure here, we have financially viable teams, and year after year, the league becomes more competitive.

(In terms of attendance), it's not a concerning factor. With Chivas USA, the problem is they lack a quality product. They certainly don't lack Hispanic players. A good example of this is the two championships Houston Dynamo won in a row. The majority of their fans at that time were Hispanics, but they had zero Hispanic players. It proved the Hispanic fan is an educated soccer fan that will come out for good competition. So for clubs, it's more about bringing players on to help a team, not players who your Hispanic demographic might cheer more for. If it’s a quality team, they’ll come out regardless. 

What about the Hispanic fans who mostly support Liga MX or other Latin American leagues, how does MLS want to convert them? 

First, if you look at our ratings on Univision, they’re solid. So we know there is interest there. The way we want to convert them into supporters of MLS, like I mentioned, is to get them to the stadium, where they can experience a good, competitive atmosphere you obviously don’t get from TV, no matter what league you are watching.

But we also need to prove to them the MLS is the real deal. That’s why MLS is so absolutely focused on winning the CONCACAF Champions League. The goal is to show more success against Liga MX teams, and get us on the world stage and give people an MLS team to cheer for at the Club World Cup.

Another part of our initiative to become one of the top leagues in the world by 2022 includes media outreach to a lot of Latin American countries. In the past few years, I’ve been to Mexico, Colombia, Argentina twice, Brazil, Honduras and Costa Rica to meet with national media outlets to educate them about our league and develop a relationship. Why? Because we know for a fact that a Colombian American is more likely to hear about how Juan Pablo Angel is playing for the New York Red Bulls by reading Colombian news. It’s a great way to spread awareness and change perception of the league, and a big part of our overall strategy for the Hispanic market.

Colombia, in fact, has become a big part of this strategy, because in recent years they have become a market leader in Latin American news, along with Argentina.

On the field too, Colombians have become a big part of MLS, leading Latin America in exports to the league for the past few years. What do you think is behind this Colombia influx?

The same reasons I mentioned before: it’s safe here, the clubs are doing well financially, there's good competition, and, on average, our stadiums draw bigger crowds.

But also, for a lot of Latino players, to be a star on the field and live a normal life off it, that’s an attractive thing. They don’t get that in their own countries. Guillermo Schelotto talked about that a lot at Columbus. He was a huge star for them and he loved playing here. I really recommend the MLS Insider story on Diego Valeri. He talks about this exactly, going from Argentina to Portland. 

Last question: What are your thoughts on MLS expansion in Miami? It's divisive topic, and many doubt the demographic after what happened to the Fusion. I find it interesting some people point out that the high Cuban population cares more about baseball than soccer, causing the assumed soccer-loving demo to be a bit deceiving.  

Well, Miami isn't what it was in 1998. At that time, the population was 60 per cent Cuban, now its 40 per cent. So things have changed in that regard. But lots of other things have too. The size of the league, the level of play, the market, exposure is readily available in television here, it’s all different. I really think there’s a great opportunity here.

We’re focusing hard on getting a great stadium in downtown Miami, putting together a great product on the field and finding proper ownership. Obviously we’re working with David Beckham and his people. And I don’t think many people realize how smart a business man David really is. 

Many thanks to Gabe Gabor for taking the time to chat with us. You can follow him Gabe on Twitter @MLSGabor.

The brains behind Colombia's tourism motto got it right: "The only risk is never leaving". Last week, after a year calling  Bogotá home, I left Colombia. Risky move.

After about a week back in the States, the re-entry culture shock is in full force. I haven't had an exotic fruit juice in days, can't retrain myself to flush toilet paper, and am lost without the sounds of drunken soccer fans "Uuuyyshh!"-ing in every corner tienda.

You might know Colombia as the country with an endless armed conflict and the origin of your morning cup of Jo and perhaps your other favorite pick-me-up. 

But Colombia is way more than cocaine and coffee. I know you know that. But last year when I told friends and family I was moving to Colombia to work on a farm, you bet those were the first words out of their mouths. Sadly, I get it.

Not many people know Colombia for its endless supply of exotic fruits, or as home to the world's 2nd highest mammal population, or as the rainiest country on Earth.

Or that the FARC Rebels, who've been at war with the State for 49 years, have dwindled to a mere 7000 guerrillas and ongoing peace talks in Havana are deeper and more substantial than ever before. Like most things in Colombia, an agreement will take a while, but it will happen.

Things are looking up for Colombia. Us soccer romantics always love to talk about how soccer can explain a country. In Colombia, it really does.

Back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, Los Cafeteros epitomize the new Colombian hope.

Sixteen years ago, Colombia teetered on being a failed state. The government ramped up efforts against guerrillas and the closely-tied drug cartels (which used domestic football clubs as key money laundering vehicles). The dirty workings of Pablo Escobar's Nacional, the Cali Cartel's América de Cali, and José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha's Millonarios were stomped out and purified. During that time (about 1996-2010), Colombian soccer struggled, internationally and domestically. But now, it's back.

My best memory of living in Bogotá was the night Colombia qualified for Brazil. Down 3-0 to Chile at halftime, an epic comeback confirmed their long-awaited return to the World Cup. I likened it to Liverpool in Istanbul, but here's my full account of that night.

To feel the Colombian pride and passion that night, even as a gringo transplant, was truly amazing. It's an infectious feeling. One we will capture and share with you throughout our journey through Latin America to Brazil next summer.

So why leave? Because the next three months are vital in terms of pre-production and fundraising for American Fútbol. Work best done stateside, alongside my partners Petar and Sam.  

Of course, I'll miss the Colombian soccer culture most, but there are a host of other things I'll miss as well. Like  the Tamale lady who'd wake me up every Sunday morning with her Tamale! Tamale! Tamaleeeee!!!" shrill.

I'll miss cheap rum, mango cups, and being "tall".

I'll miss the soups. Oh man, the soups. Ajiaco, sancocho, frijolada. I can hardly explain their deliciousness.

I'll also miss the people, their friendliness and their admirable ability to not give a shit. At times infuriating, at others inspiring.

My friends, and the cavernous apartment that clearly once belonged to a moderately successful drug dealer (Who else installs a marble fireplace and a bidet in otherwise modest quarters?), will also be missed.

Oddly, I think I'll miss the busses, or those sardine tins on wheels. I'll miss seeing  people hover over a recently vacated seat waiting for it to cool down for fear of contracting herpes from the heat left by its former occupant.

I will NOT miss the disastrous garbage collection system, Colombian's inability to form lines, and the catcalling. The machismo culture, in general, is gross.

Of course, Colombia has huge societal and political issues. It's one of the world richest in natural resources, yet poverty is rife. It doesn't equate. But unlike many countries with this problem, they're improving. Every day Colombia's future gets a little brighter.

And in three months, when we stop in Bogotá and Cali for this project, I know it'll be even better. And even harder to leave.