How to find your favorite futbol club
So let me guess: You caught the fever?
You’re not alone. It seems like soccer mania has swept across the United States over the last few weeks, as the World Cup has hosted all over North America. From LA to Seattle to Kansas City to Miami, we’ve seen the very best athletes the soccer world has to offer as they’ve competed for their countries, in some of the best soccer we’ve ever seen on this soil. Many people who’ve never watched soccer before have realized why soccer is the most popular sport on the planet.
But what happens when the World Cup is over? For some of us, soccer has long been a way of life—I’ve woken up early every Saturday and Sunday for decades to watch my beloved Manchester United. If you’re a new fan, the great news is that international club soccer will crank up in just a few weeks, presenting you with a smorgasboard of futbol from which to choose.
But which team will you root for? Here are a few ways to help narrow down your choices.
1. COUNTRY — The league you choose matters. England’s Premier League is probably the most accessible in the US, with games on NBC and USA Network every weekend, as well as almost every game being available on Peacock. It’s also probably the best soccer available. Just behind the Premier League, I’d rank Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A, which are both very good, if marginally harder to follow (Serie A games are on Paramount+, which may or may not actually exist). MLS is also a viable option, with every game being streamed on Apple TV. As a soccer nerd, the actual soccer played in MLS is usually a bit, well, aspirational.
2. PLAYERS — Did you find a favorite player in the World Cup? Maybe Lionel Messi will draw you toward MLS, or Harry Kane will pull you to Germany’s Bundesliga. Roughly half the Spanish national team plays for FC Barcelona, while Jude Bellingham stars for Real Madrid. And Norway’s breakout star Erling Haaland plies his trade in the Premier League. Your favorite player may direct you toward a team.
3. TRADITIONS — Part of what makes club soccer so cool is that every team has their own traditions, which makes each game experience unique. When my son and I caught a game last season at West Ham United, we found ourselves in the middle of fans singing a happy song about bubbles. At Benfica in Portugal, an eagle flies around the stadium before landing on the field. Dortmund’s Yellow Wall has been copied by different sports teams around the world.
4. KITS — As a kid, I briefly rooted for the Philadelphia Eagles solely because I thought they had cool helmets. So, don’t be too cool as to not consider the uniforms. One thing that makes club soccer uniforms neat is that they are typically refreshed every season, giving supporters a reason to buy a new shirt each season. Barcelona’s collaboration with Kobe Bryant last season was particularly memorable.
5. JUST WATCH — After all that, this is probably the best advice. Just turn the games on and watch! The games may take a little bit of searching, but then, so does everything these days with all the streaming services. The important thing is that you’re invested and make the effort. Tune in and turn on. Goooooooooaaaaaalll!
