All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

EPL is quality, I just happen to like the Italian game better.

And, as long as we're talking about it, let's choose up sides, throw our cards on the table, etc. Who's your team? (Those who say "Manchester UNited!" or "Chelsea!" will be asked to provide proof and reason for why they chose those teams. The same goes for "AC Milan!" "Juventus!" or "Real Madrid!").

EPL: I don't feel like I should have a team. My family has absolutely no English blood or ancestry, and I have yet to take a long-awaited trip to the UK. But a friend has sung the virtues of West Ham United for years (during his best man speech at my wedding, he said "two great events have happend recently. Viz Glortho got married, and West Ham beat Preston North End to gain promotion to the EPL!"). So if I have an EPL team, it is them. I don't know the words to Always Blowing Bubbles, I thought the Elijah Wood movie was pants (snicker, snicker), and I have yet to view a tape of the FA Cup Final. BUt okay, I claim West Ham.

Serie A: AS Roma. When I was younger, I liked their colors. Stupid, I know. BUt I really fell for the team six years ago when it entered the season with all those players, including Hidetoshi Nakata, who I am a fan of. They also had Batistuta, and a host of others on that 2000-01 Serie A champion. Also a big Totti fan. It's nice to pull for a team that is usually quite good, but isn't buying its way to the title every year.

Bundesliga, La Liga, etc. I just like watching the games.

Also, whichever team picks up Clint Dempsey (I'm hoping West Ham), I will support. And I am definitely pulling for Reading to stick in the EPL.

 

Liverpool, hence my Go Reds comment from earlier.

Two reasons -- Steven Gerrard (damn, I love that man -- in a totally hetero way) and You'll Never Walk Alone.

I just started getting into soccer about five years ago, however.

 

I dont have an EPL team. Im trying to get my editors to let me write "Pick an EPL team to root for column"...oh wait a minute, I already read one of those.

 

EPL: (Sheepishly looking around the room) ManU, because of Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Newcastle because of Shearer. I'm really pulling for Reading this season.

SPL: Celtic, Hearts, Hibs and even Rangers. Hell, I love all the SPL sides.

 

All pale in comparison to Leeds United.

 

Actually, all pale in comparison to Chelsea. West London what!!!

I'm positively giddy at the thought of Michael Essien, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard roaming the central midfield.

 

Chumps, all of them.

Robbie Blake and Gary Kelly, now there's two players money can't buy. And, uh, er, maybe Tony Yeboah can come out of retirement?

Dammit! Fucking Leeds getting relegated sucks ass.

 

I root for Man United because I thought the name was really cool when I watched the First Division game on PBS growing up. Then, when I got back into seriously watching soccer about 6 years ago, they played such a great style that you couldn't help but like watching them. If that is glory hunting, so be it.

Otherwise, I generally root for teams because of individuals players (especially players from the US) or an attractive style of play. I don't really have a vested interest in any other team.

 

I've followed soccer for longer, but just started following the EPL about the same time. I fell in love with Liverpool because that's where Michael Owen played. When he took off for Real, I had to make a decision. I realized I'd come to really care for the team. And my man-crush has transferred to Gerrard, as well.
Don't really have a favorite team in any other league. I do hope those with Americans (PSV, etc.) do well.

 

Eng-er-lund: Everton. Because gloryhunters suck. ;D (Plus, they signed Joe-Max Moore, one of my favorite players, and had a good run with Brian McBride).

J-League: Ventforet Kofu. This is a small, mountain town team that gave up over 100 goals in a season not too long ago ... now they're holding their own in the top flight. Great story.

Other: Clubs with Yanks Abroad -- or at least those that treat their YAs well (Hi Spurs!).

I'm definitely country before club, though.

 

My teams have been stable through much of my life:

Glasgow Rangers (Meeting Barry Ferguson, Bobby Malcom and Kris Boyd back in June rawked hard. Ferguson handing me drinks was even cooler.)

New York Red Bulls (Formerly MetroStars)

I always follow local. I'm a big proponent of the idea that if you don't follow MLS you can't really say you are helping much. I understand wanting to "watch the best." But I just don't get how you can completely ignore something until it lives up to that standard. How is it supposed to reach that standard or even stay afloat long enough to reach that standard?

In any case, I've got my Rangers swag and am still waiting on the RBNY stuff (which doesn't look like it will come out this year).

 

We've had this discussion before, but Indeed.™

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Cory Gibbs is good to go at Charlton after receiving a work permit ... now if only it weren't for that pesky knee injury.

Meanwhile, Brian McBride says no mas to international soccer. It's a good move for all concerned, despite what Eric Wynalda's crocodile tears might tell you.