The other team(s) you follow

[AndSomeAreAngels]

Yes, we should all have one and only one team in our heart of hearts, and that's something I can definitely empathize with, particularly if you grew up and have been a lifelong, passionate fan.

For those of us in the U.S., I don't think it's the case that's usually the case. And while Liverpool is far and away the team I follow the most, with the most passion, emotion, and conviction, I still consider myself a fan of another team. Liverpool is #1 in my heart and always will be, but I also cheer for Valencia.

What other team(s) do you follow and why?

I really enjoy the flare and openness of Spanish football, and the player I've always really like watching has been Pablo Aimar. Valencia are one of the bigger clubs in Spain, with a decent tradition/history, but also an underdog in many ways to Los Galacticos and Barca. They play a tough, punishing brand of football, but are excellent in the attack as well, with world-class forwards in Villa, Vicente, and Aimar. I love David Albelda; I think he would actually fit in nicely in the EPL, though we're a bit crowded at his DM position.

I also like the USMNT. We're not always the most fluid and fun to watch, but we've got some exciting young players who are quickly changing that. I'm not a huge Donovan fan, but you can't argue with his production. I have high hopes for Bobbey Convey and am curious to see how he and Reading do in the Prem next year. Clint Dempsey represents the new face of American soccer, IMO; a young, fearless, attacking midfielder with a great workrate and tenacity. I would like to see him grow as a player in either Holland or the EPL. I think the speed of the EPL would do wonders for his game.

[quentinc]

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5175/allezlesverts5wl.jpg

St. Etienne is really the only other team I follow. I do watch the Nats every now and then out of compulsion, but I probably couldn't name their typical starting XI.

As a team, Les Verts draw a lot of comparisons to Liverpool. They are the most successful side in the history of French football (they've won Le Championnat 10 times, and La Coupe de France, which is like the FA Cup, six times). They're also regarded as having the most passionatte and supportive fans in all of France.

They just repromoted to Ligue 1 two years ago, and got sixth place and an Intertoto Cup spot last year, their first year back. This year, at the winter break they were only a few points back of CL contention, but have hit a really bad run of form (partially due to losing some key players to the CAN). So the goal for this year is probably just to finish in the top half. Although, in an illustration of the parity of Ligue 1, we're currently in 15th place, but sit only 10 points back of Lille in third place (http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/CLA_D1.html)

I'm also using my tracking of the team to help with my french, largely because there isn't a quality English-language website that devotes significant coverage to French football.

I don't really follow any other leagues with particular interest.

[655321]

The only team I follow with as much fervor as LFC is the San Francisco Giants.

I still watch the Cowboys games because I was raised to and can't completely get them out of my blood. I'll also cheer for the Spurs if I see the NBA on, as one of my best friends is a lifelong fan and I've watched a few matches with him.

And I support the US mens team, but I don't keep up with them as much as I should.

[quentinc]

Well, if we're talking about other sports as well, then I have to mention the Astros. I actually went to the first World Series game in the history of the franchise, which also turned out to be the longest game in the history of the World Series. I didn't get back home until 5 in the morning, and had to go to school the next day. Anyway, here I am standing outside the stadium before the game, in case you don't believe me:

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7645/361151182l6ig.th.jpg (http://img63.imageshack.us/my.php?image=361151182l6ig.jpg)

I don't really follow the Spurs, even though I've lived in San Antonio my entire life. Part of this has to do with the fact that 95% of Spurs "fans" have no ********ing clue what they're talking about, and I don't prefer to be associated with them (I guess that's what it's like to be a Manc).

[Twenty26Six]

http://depewschools.net/wildcats/images/Mast.jpg

[wemess0]

Other than LFC, the only professional club I follow is my 'local' MLS side, Columbus. I usually make it up there three or four times a year for a game. I don't really think I could support another European team knowing that they could easily be drawn against LFC in Europe.

As for other sports, I follow the University of Kentucky's teams and the Baltimore Orioles.

[stanaccrington]

Probably guess from my user name that I follow the mighty Accrington Stanley, "who are they" you may ask, well it a long story and I won't bore you with the full history of the club.
Accrington is a small town in Lancashire and is part of an area known as the Weaver's Triangle, sandwiched between Burnley, Blackburn, and very close to Bolton, Manchester, liverpool, Wigan and Preston, some noteable soccer names there eh, Accrington were one of the founder members of the Football League which formed 22 march 1888, along with Everton, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Derby County, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley, Stoke City, Preston North End,and Notts County. In 1962 Accrington Stanley resigned from the Football League after suffering financial difficuilties, they owed 10,000 pounds to creditors. The story goes and has been substanciated that a man walked in to the office and offered them 10,000 in cash, pay him back whenever with no intrest, but alas it was to late the League headed by the Chairman of Burnley (less the 5 miles away) had already accepted the resignation and Accrington Stanley were no more. In 1968 a group of locals got together and reformed Accrington Stanley and they have progressed through the lower leagues of English football and now sit on atop of the Conference a mighty 13pts clear and a place back in the Nationwide League Proper beckons. Talk about a fairytale, if you need a smaller club to follow then this is it.
Non Soccer team, the Yankees and spring training starts this week........:D

[ghazi]

Nonfooty teams - I love the Chicago Bears, and the Indy Colts. While living in Indy after law school, i had season tix to the Colts and it was mindboggling. . . just hope they can win at least one Super Bowl soon.

Footy teams - Despite loving the NFL for life, only the USA men's team and Liverpool have the power to make me cry like a little beyatch. I love seeing the transformation of the US players from scrappy strugglers to confident and adventurous contenders. Still a work in progress, but it'll be amazing when they realize their potential.

I love watching Real Madrid and Barca for the same reasons everyone else does - when they are on their game, its a beautiful thing. Messi and Ronaldhino have put on some outrageous performances this season. You just know you're watching something special when you watch them play.

[LFCFanInCali]

Liverpool is my one and only club side. I have attended a handful of MLS games just to see a live match, but don't really have a rooting interest.

I do follow the Americans playing abroad, so basically when we play Fulham I want us to win 4-3 with McBride scoring a hat-trick. :D

National sides, obviously the USA, as well as England. And since the Rafalution began, I do find myself keeping tabs on Spain to check out our boys.

[edlova]

I will only give my footie teams

Club:
CT Wolves of USL (went bankrupt a few years back :()

and

New England Revolution (since MLS started :))

Country:
US

and I barely follow Ireland

[zpjohnstone]

It's been a tough season, but I'm a lifelong University of Louisville basketball fan- Pretty much 80% of my early childhood memories are from Freedom Hall.

I'm also a Redskins fan.

The mid 80's was the last time all three of them were good together.

I also support the Chicago Fire, but I have my issues with the way MLS is run, and haven't been to any games since Napierville.

Oh yeah, huge USMNT fan, too.

[liverbird]

Football: As my sig says, DCUnited is #1. MiniLB and I have had season seats since year 1. We have first row seats in the Screaming Eagle area, all standing all singing area.

Liverpool next -- 'nuff said

I travel to support USMNT when I can. Have an Irish passport so Ireland comes next. I have an atavistic support for Celtic and have been to a game at Parkhead.

Spain -- got pull for Barca against Franco's team --RM

Italy -- Roma -- against Nazio

Followed the Washington Diplomats in the old NASL.

Basketball -- Georgetown have had season seats from 1980 on. My first year in Grad school there was John Thompson's first year as coach.

Baseball -- N.Y. Yankees -- my first game was 1957 with my Dad. Mantle homered to beat the K.C. Athletics. Whitey Ford was the pitcher. Been with them through good times and the occasional bad times i.e. 1965 to 1975.

Pointy Ball -- Redskins. They went to their first Super Bowl, a loss, the first year I moved to DC. Fell in love then.

Christ the old bastard has a lot of teams to keep up with:D

Hockey, Arena Football, Lacrosse, College pointy ball, NASCAR, Formula One, Curling and Women's Football, I couldn't give a shit about.

[Crown Paints]

Probably guess from my user name that I follow the mighty Accrington Stanley, "who are they" you may ask

If you drink your milk, one day u could be good enough to play for them...

[Liv'poolFaninAZ]

Only other Footy I follow is the USMNT.

Now for other sports I follow ASU (Arizona State University).

The Phoenix Coyotes (Hockey).

and in Baseball, the D'backs! (2001 was super sweet!)

[twh3]

Football:
DC United-- although I've lived in NYC since 1997, I lived in DC from 1995-1997 and attened a lot of DC United games. I am not one to change rooting interest after it has been established, so I have stayed with DC United despite going to a few Metros games here and there (mostly against DC). I don't mind the Metros/Red Bull/whatever and do watch them on TV, but I support DC.

College American Football:

The University of Michigan (I'm an alum). After Liverpool and the US Men's Nats, I am most passionate about Michigan football.

Non-football:

Raised in Flint, MI, so.... Detroit Pistons, Red Wings, Lions, and Tigers. Again, I'd rather die than root for the Yankees, Rangers, Giants, Jets and Knicks, Nets, Devils, although I always root for the Mets over the Yankees (National League, so who cares). Really tho, maybe being from the industrial midwest also fosters my identification with Liverpool and LFC? The more I learn about the city, the more fond I grow.

[655321]

I still watch the Cowboys games because I was raised to and can't completely get them out of my blood.

It just got a little bit easier to let go of the Cowboys after this week's new signing!