Hi. As an England and Stoke City fan, but more importantly a football (sorry soccer) fan i'm really interested in learning more about American soccer after watching alittle bit on late night television over here. I was wondering who I should start supporting as i want an adopted american team any thoughts?
The New England Revolution, of course! We are geographically closer to you and, well... we have "England" in our name!
Really, now. Why would an Englishman want to support the one MLS team whose name is a constant reminder of a war in which his size got its butt kicked? D.C. United would be a better option, since it chose a name that reflects English/U.K. football heritage. I'd try to recruit you to the fandom of the Columbus Crew, but I'm not sure what selling point I could offer. Great stadium?
This always amuses me coming from an Englishman. "Soccer" is an "English" term. Look it up. The MetroStars of course! The next US coach resides there and is building a team that a European may actually understand. Very young players, built around a 17 year old Yank (Gaven - scouted by several P'ship clubs already) who play avery technical, possesion oriented game. By the end of this year, and definitely by next, this will be the best squad in MLS. Also, trying not to upset, but they have a keeper, Johnny Walker (yes, that's his real name) better than anything England has to offer. Apologies to Paul Robinson, but in America he would be 6th or 7th on the chart and lost in the shuffle. Watch M'Stars and why can't England produce a center mid. Last one was Gazza! What's up with that? BTW, Beckham and Gerrard ARE NOT CENTER MIDS.
You have to go with the Quakes. best team in MLS (two of last three titles) plus the best American player -- Landon Donovan -- plays for them. plus we need all the fans we can get.
ok thanks for the replies. I've been a massive football supporter for years have been going to Stoke City forever. What happened to me when I watched some MLS I doon't know it was just very entertaining and I vowed to look into it more and came across this site by accident. Ok so you all have given me some ideas, not that ny of you are bias of course. 1 question who has the nosiest fans and best songs. So far i'm going to be a New England fan or Kansas city fan. But need a team now to stick by through and through. 2nd question any of you american friends cheerying England on in euro 2004 or have you other teams. Thanks again all. I need info lots of info on mls oinly way of really getting anyis by talking to the real fans. Any Stoke City information just ask!
No ill will to England in Euro 2004. Best of luck to them. Jay Denny...first team football next year?
Kansas City generally is regarded as having some of the quietest fans, btw. I'm not one, but being a Chicago supporter would be pretty fufilling given their success year-in-year-out.
TAKK. If you go to www.merseysidepotters.co.uk there is an interesting interview with the Californian.
I was hoping you knew something!!! I know he was your youth player of the year. I know he made the senior bench once or twice as a reward for his play. I know he is running the middle for your reserves. He is in our youth pool, and should play on our next U20 WC squad. I remember reading an article at years end, will try to find it, where Stoke were very high on him, and were looking for him to contribute to the first team at some point next year. Figured with that sort of praise, and those sorts of accomplishments you would know more. Any info you hear of him, fell free to post at Yanks Abroad anytime. If you want to generate new fans across the pond, this is the easiest way to do it. We may not be the biggest sport here yet, but the fans we have are real hardcore. Stoke! Best name in football. If you are famaliar with California surfing culture you will understand. I'm stoked dude!
What? There are other teams? Well, I know Portugal is the host, and Italy has Totti, who's a funny guy in a Yogi Berra kinda way. So if England gets nipped, I'll go with Italy. Unless they get nipped, in which case I'll root for the underdog. We've been there; we still are.
This Yank is more interested in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers right now that the Euros. Maybe I'll start watching by the time the semi's roll around. Unfortunatly, I'm betting Sven's boys will have packed up and headed back to Blighty by then.
Always good to have U.K. fans coming over to check out MLS. Obviously, since you mentioned Kansas City as a possible team, you must be very intelligent. We don't have the best stadium for soccer (it's way too big at this point), but we are a consistent side that is always very disciplined. We draw as well as many bigger cities, but our stadium always gives the impression that its empty. We also have anywhere from 3-6 players in the USMNT pool at most times. We're one of the better possession teams in the league, though other teams like to call it bunkering. We put men behind the ball, but never resort to hasty clearances and are quite comfortable bringing it forward out of the back. We don't bunker, but we'll often just possess the ball aimlessly. We just came off a huge win at LA after a heartbraking loss at home last week. Preki (more commonly referred to as God in this area), formerly of Everton, broke his ankle at the beginning of this season. He had a Shearer-like season last year being named MVP of the league at age 40. Tony Meola (Fat Tony to most) is also a well known player on this side. He is in the last years of his career as well. He was the starting goalie for the 90' and 94' WC squads. Our other capped USMNT players are Josh Wolff, Kerry Zavagnin, Nick Garcia, and Chris Klein. Future talent includes Jose Burciaga Jr., Matt Taylor, and Shavar Thomas. Our coach is Bob Gansler. He demands perfect defense, and was the coach of the 90' World Cup side that qualified for the first time in 40 years.
Oh, and I forgot to mention: The owner of the N.E. Revolution owns another football team (playing in the same stadium which, by the way, is brand new)that has won the US Championship twice in the past three years!! So, the Revolution is in good hands!
Support the Metrostars. I like Kansas City okay, but just so you know they are probably the most boring team to watch in MLS. And New England.... just don't support New England. They will finsih last in the east this year. The Metrostars are near the coolest city and they are the most skilled team. Beckham is also interested in coming to play with the Metros in a few years so the could be the first english player (or one of the first?) playing on the Metros. Also, the metros have the coolest fans, and they are getting a new stadium in the next 60-90 days. Here is a cool metro stie: www.metrofanatrc.com I will probably support England in EURO 2004 because I have been there more than anyother country and two of my very good friends live there.
Of course he is, they named the team after him. As far as loud fans, Chicago. And I'm not just saying that because they're my team.
Definately cheering on the Three Lions next week. Wife is from Liecestershire and I have become a huge fan of England. I'll be glued to the set for all three round games and hopefully farther. Stick around, we always can use more fans.
I suggest observing the league this season, then choosing Chivas USA as your team when they enter the league next season. They are far and away the most beloved team on these message boards.....
It's very simple if you want to support a side that wins more than the others, and therefore will make you happy more often.. The LA Galaxy have the all-time best winning percentage in the league (and the nicest stadium) !
lol well, if I ever support a MLS side, it will be the Earthquakes since I live close to there. Just remember E&P, the quakes have Donovan, and he is kickass. Too bad they have a stupid team name. San Jose FC sounds cooler than San Jose Earthquakes imo. But then again nobody calls soccer football here.