NFT: Question for soccer fans. Newb needs help.

I'll be picking an EPL team to root for for the upcoming season. Really want to get into the English premier league.

as its on NBC Sports every wknd. There is some La Liga, Bundelsliga and Serie A coverage here and there but I dont think its regular. As far as an EPL team. Id say read up on them, their history etc. Like the NFL, many have very distinct identities

The league is getting better and better, and should get a boost when the new cba comes out next year. I'm all set to start supporting NYCFC next season.

Brandon Wright Phillips is having a hell of a season

my bad

your local team. Either RBNY or NYCFC

It's the European super league with the best teams in Europe - EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and some others - playing for the championship of Europe. It's a great level of soccer and the most followed competition after the World Cup. There aren't games every week, but in some ways that's good if you follow other sports (which you do or you wouldn't be on BBI).

The UEFA CL has already started at the play-in level. The "super teams" have already qualified by finishing in the top three or four in their country's league last year.
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In comment 11782462 Jon in NYC said:

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your local team. Either RBNY or NYCFC

and do this too ...

Think I've got a better sense of things.

I think the are all really good, but I primarily watch the English Premier League. If you get BeIN Sport, then you will have the opportunity to watch La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), and Ligue 1 (France) and some English lower divisions. NBC carries the EPL, plus their Live Extra app shows every EPL game. Then pick a league you like and start following a team. I really don't see a reason why you can't follow a team in the EPL, La Liga, and MLS, especially when you are first starting out.

In comment 11782491 Jim in Scranton said:

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I think the are all really good, but I primarily watch the English Premier League. If you get BeIN Sport, then you will have the opportunity to watch La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), and Ligue 1 (France) and some English lower divisions. NBC carries the EPL, plus their Live Extra app shows every EPL game. Then pick a league you like and start following a team. I really don't see a reason why you can't follow a team in the EPL, La Liga, and MLS, especially when you are first starting out.

Well I lied, this year I am really following the EPL because my team has recently been promoted back into the league from the lower division. I did follow it a lot last year, but this year will be much more.

While I like the MLS, the EPL is the best league in the world from top to bottom.

If you're looking for an EPL team to latch onto, I suggest Everton. They have Tim Howard, the star US goalkeeper. Also they're not one of the top teams so it's not front-running but they're good enough to be competitive and have a chance at making the Champions League.

A year of watching the Premiere League will get you hooked and then I think you can take a step into MLS. I can't wait for NYCFC myself.

Thanks again.

Write down the top 12 or so teams in the EPL. Put all the names in a hat. Pick one. That is your new team. Fully immerse yourself in it. It's a great way to start watching and caring, if you have no allegiance. I say 12, because its a good way to not necessarily come out with a top team, which could make you feel like a frontrunner. But if you want to be a frontrunner, to be honest, it's more exciting. Following an Aston Villa really is just frustrating. Constant mediocrity is no fun.

my...
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the Barclays Premier League. I wouldn't get all concerned about picking any specific team to support. Personally I find the matches a lot more fun to watch this way.

City of excruciating failure in sports. I don't need to be a front runner, but I do need a franchise much like our Gmen, good ownership, a history of success, and a good chance for future success.

keep an eye on Toronto FC. Michael Bradley & Jermain DeFoe make them worth watching.

If you want a team that has a chance of success you basically need to limit it to the following:

Man U
Man City
Chelsea
Liverpool
Arsenal
Everton
Newcastle
Tottenham

Am I missing anyone?

Big ten, big twelve, PAC twelve are the eurpo leagues or individual leagues. Same type of organization, within a larger entity.

For the flowchart-minded...


Which Premier League Team Should I Support? - ( New Window )

In comment 11782563 SwirlingEddie said:

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For the flowchart-minded... Which Premier League Team Should I Support? - ( New Window )

Alright then... All welcome the new Liverpool fan!!! Yay!

Go fighting ??? Um, whatever you guys are...

even if they don't win?

and support AC Milan. Thank you.

In comment 11782563 SwirlingEddie said:

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For the flowchart-minded... Which Premier League Team Should I Support? - ( New Window )

Funny, but that really needs to be updated.

that's not easy to do, of course since we all have lives.

That said, you should try and watch as much of the top teams as you can. The best place is mid-week Champions League but important to watch them in critical league matches on (mostly) weekends as well.

The four big leagues:

England (EPL): The most-hyped and most entertaining and most accessible but for my money not the best overall in terms of quality. Still a must-watch and will have the best title race between Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs with Arsenal and Liverpool also fancying themselves as contenders. Any matches between these teams is worth watching. Also Tim Howard plays for Everton - a decent side that usually finishes around fifth, sixth or seventh place.

Spain (La Liga): Pound-for-pound the best league in the world last year. The Champions League final featured winners Real Madrid and league champions Atletico Madrid. To show the strength of this league last season, those two teams along with Barcelona, Sevilla and Valencia - this group of five consisted of two continental champions (Real, Sevilla) with the other three knocked out by other Spanish teams. That means none were knocked out by non-Spanish teams. Teams like Bilbao and Sociedad are very good but lesser known to American fans. Bilbao knocked the crap out of Man Utd a couple of years ago.

Many people complain that Spain is a two or three-team race but there are other storylines. Looking for an extreme underdog story? Google new boys 'Eibar'

Germany (Bundesliga): Bayern Munich are reigning champions and will no doubt repeat and Dortmund are a great side to watch. My team (Berlin) plays in the BL, it is a hard league to watch on TV in the States and some knowledge of German football helps so best to watch these teams in Champions League.

Italy (Serie A): Sort of a transition time for this league. Juventus are the reigning big dogs but were forced to make a coaching change and haven't made a dent in European competition in recent years. Usual stalwarts AC Milan and Inter Milan both failed to make it to Champions League. Critics say Italian football lacks the quality but don't be fooled - there are some great players, Italian teams have a distinct style and they could easily knock off some EPL teams if given the chance.

As for TV, the EPL is on NBC and NBC Sports net so easiest to watch. La Liga and Serie A on BeIN so you will have to go to a bar. Bundesliga on GOL - which vitually no one gets but soccer bars will have it. Champions League are on the Fox cable channels.

with some of my friends that in order to really get into soccer, you need to pick a team (and not just a tournament) to follow. Unless you're crazy in love with a sport, you're not going to be inclined to watch unless your team is playing.

I started getting interested in following a professional soccer team back in 2006, after watching the World Cup. Ukraine had qualified for their first ever World Cup (I'm Ukrainian), and made it out of the knockout stage; mainly due to their best player, Andriy Shevchenko. Just before the tournament, he had just been bought by Chelsea. I learned a bit about the club; they had an insanely rich and willing to spend owner, a highly touted manager, a bunch of young talent, and were successful. Take all that and add in the team colors, and it was an easy choice for me.

Little did I know at the time how much Chelsea and their fans are disliked by the rest of the EPL.

Now, it's easily my second favorite sport. With cable providers recently adding multiple outlets to watch the games, I hardly miss a one.

Everybody has their own reasons they pick a club; region you live, family, favorite players, level of play, and many others. Just pick a team you know you can get behind and you have access to their games, and you'll be fine.

West Ham
Forever Blowing Bubbles - ( New Window )

West Ham
Forever Blowing Bubbles - ( New Window )

Their FC song is "Nobody Likes Us, But We Don't Care"

If you can drink and fight, you will be welcome
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Welcome! One phrase to remember as a Liverpool fan: You'll Never Walk Alone, often abbreviated as YNWA. It's the club's anthem. The team you can "laugh at" is Everton. They're also located in Liverpool, UK.
pre-Man City at Anfield: YNWA & a minute of silence - ( New Window )

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Usually the EPL. I have a question for the real soccer fans here on BBI though. I know that I know almost nothing about soccer, but I noticed that no one has mentioned any South American teams. I have Facebook friend that tells me the Boca Juniors from Buenos Aries, Argentina are one of the best teams in the world. Are they, or do they play against week competition? I think that it's interesting that the team was founded by Italian immigrants, which is probably why I'm a little interested to find out more. I also had heard that they were trying to start a team here in the United States, and play under the name of the club. Any thoughts, or info is appreciated!

I would love someone to put a flow-chart like that together for the NFL or MLB.

In comment 11782706 smshmth8690 said:

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Usually the EPL. I have a question for the real soccer fans here on BBI though. I know that I know almost nothing about soccer, but I noticed that no one has mentioned any South American teams. I have Facebook friend that tells me the Boca Juniors from Buenos Aries, Argentina are one of the best teams in the world. Are they, or do they play against week competition? I think that it's interesting that the team was founded by Italian immigrants, which is probably why I'm a little interested to find out more. I also had heard that they were trying to start a team here in the United States, and play under the name of the club. Any thoughts, or info is appreciated!

The South American leagues are usually much weaker than their national team counterparts. Most top Argentinian, Brazilian, etc. players go to Europe pretty early on. I wouldn't call Boca Juniors one of the best teams in the world.

so in South America it's much the same as here in the U.S. The better players get signed in Europe.

there's an equivalent for the NFL:

What NFL team should I root for?

and stumbled across this article from Grantland
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Really cool how they do that and crown a European champ.

Its on every Saturday in the U.S., one of the best leagues in the world (may be the best), and it has a lot of great players you may recognize. Just pick one of the 20 teams and follow them. You'll be surprised at how much you pick up.

welcome to the club. Great time to start following LFC. The style of play is very exciting. We score a ton of goals, but also let in a bunch, so there won't be many scoreless draws.

We are back in the Champions league. We finished 2nd in the EPL last year, 2 points behind Man City. However, we sold our best player (Suarez) this summer.

Good owners (John Henry from the Red Sox), amazing history, top notch fans.

but I'll watch the EPL and I don't really have a favorite team. I enjoy watching the top teams especially when you've got rivalries like Man U and Chelsea playing each other.

I guess you could say that I'm a fan of the sport. I just enjoy watching soccer played at the highest level.

Their league is the most competitive, in that there are more great teams. Most of the other leagues are too top heavy. And NBC Sports coverage is really great. Games are on the weekend in the morning.

And Champions League football is great as well.

at Lincoln Financial in Philly on Saturday with my son. Pretty excited.

Not sure I would suggest these guys to you though. They are one of the bottom 10 teams just playing to hang on to the Premier League with no chance of winning it. However that brings in a whole different level of excitement. They go nuts if they finally clinch 17th place.

Everton. Slightly above the middle of the pack, decent chance in most games, and can root for Timmy.

I asked the same thing on FB a month or two ago, I was completely consumed with the WC and my appreciation for the game went on like a light switch. I have chosen my team using said flowchart above. Liverpool it be for me.

In comment 11783687 PatersonPlank said:

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Not sure I would suggest these guys to you though. They are one of the bottom 10 teams just playing to hang on to the Premier League with no chance of winning it. However that brings in a whole different level of excitement. They go nuts if they finally clinch 17th place.

Love the signings of Rio and Caulker. Really solidifies the back, and works well if they switch to a 3-5-2 with two wingbacks. I am really concerned about midfield and CAM. Granero officially went on a perminant to Sociedad this morning and Taarabt is all but gone. All they really have at mid is Fuerlin and Barton. They have a lot of work to do in the next few weeks.

In comment 11783540 Kevin in Annapolis said:

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welcome to the club. Great time to start following LFC.

Kevin, Just for fun I took the flow chart and wound up at Liverpool. But then used a couple of other sources for "how to pick you EPl team" which covered all conceivable aspects, and I found that I like this pick, with the exception of the Redsox connection :( But nothing is perfect.

In comment 11783688 UConn4523 said:

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Everton. Slightly above the middle of the pack, decent chance in most games, and can root for Timmy.

Been rooting for the Toffees for a couple of seasons now and it's been great fun. A good competitive team that works hard for it's success, with a number of American connections. Plus, as a Giants fan, you have to love a team that cheers "Come on you Blues!" COYB.

We can get some game threads going. Good times!

In comment 11783662 BeerFridge said:

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And NBC Sports coverage is really great. Games are on the weekend in the morning.

Can't wait for Fall. Start the weekends with soccer and Formula 1 in the mornings. Followed by Football pre-game, couple football games, Yankees and then Sunday night Football. Awesome!

Every Liverpool fan, heck every decent human being, needs to know the story of the 96, the Hillsborough Disaster and the subsequent coverups and investigations. If you're not already familiar with it please read up on this dark history and the follow up that transcended the sport and its rivalries.
Wikipedia: The Hillsborough Disaster - ( New Window )

In comment 11783764 SwirlingEddie said:

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In comment 11783688 UConn4523 said: Quote: Everton. Slightly above the middle of the pack, decent chance in most games, and can root for Timmy. Been rooting for the Toffees for a couple of seasons now and it's been great fun. A good competitive team that works hard for it's success, with a number of American connections. Plus, as a Giants fan, you have to love a team that cheers "Come on you Blues!" COYB.

Yeah its official. Everton fan here!

In comment 11783802 Dave in Buffalo said:

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In comment 11783662 BeerFridge said: Quote: And NBC Sports coverage is really great. Games are on the weekend in the morning. Can't wait for Fall. Start the weekends with soccer and Formula 1 in the mornings. Followed by Football pre-game, couple football games, Yankees and then Sunday night Football. Awesome!

I don't do Formula one, but otherwise, that's my Sunday.

In comment 11783807 SwirlingEddie said:

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Every Liverpool fan, heck every decent human being, needs to know the story of the 96, the Hillsborough Disaster and the subsequent coverups and investigations. If you're not already familiar with it please read up on this dark history and the follow up that transcended the sport and its rivalries. Wikipedia: The Hillsborough Disaster - ( New Window )

There was a really good 30 for 30 on this.

But I'll check it out.

In comment 11783807 SwirlingEddie said:

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Every Liverpool fan, heck every decent human being, needs to know the story of the 96, the Hillsborough Disaster and the subsequent coverups and investigations. If you're not already familiar with it please read up on this dark history and the follow up that transcended the sport and its rivalries. Wikipedia: The Hillsborough Disaster - ( New Window )

Wasn't that 1989? Also, ESPN did a great 30 for 30 on it.