# Help an American Start to Follow Soccer (Football) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 5, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842 "2011-05-05T15:25:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Wash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@Wash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wash)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/41 "2011-05-05T18:13:54Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I completely understand. I am currently fighting off becoming a Yankee’s fan by virtue of my new home town (though it is damn hard not to like the Yankee’s when you live in Yankee country.) I’m guessing from this that you live in New York then? In that case, do yourself a big favor and catch the PATH train out to Harrison, NJ for a New York Red Bulls game. As much as I hate the Pink Cows (FC Dallas fan, here), they have _the_ best stadium in the league (modeled on many of the European stadiums), and they’ve shown they’re willing to splash the cash, at least as much as is possible in a salary capped league, in order to win, bringing in former Arsenal, Barcelona and World Cup winning striker Thierry Henry, as well as Mexican star Rafa Marques (also formerly of Barcelona) and Canadian MLS Cup MVP Dwayne De Rosario. Get a seat a couple of sections away from the supporters group (Empire Supporters Club) so that you can soak up as much of the atmosphere as possible. The supporters groups are the most passionate fans of the club, the ones that stand and sing/chant/cheer for their team for the full 90 minutes, and you’ll find that, though mostly in their 20’s and 30’s, there’s still a fair representation of ages, backgrounds, etc. You shouldn’t have any problem finding people around you who’ll help explain what’s going on if there’s a call you don’t understand, but for the most part the game is pretty easy to follow. I’d also really recommend making your way over to the supporters section during halftime and chat with the guys and gals there - I don’t know anyone in ESC, but if they’re like any other MLS supporters group, they will be very welcoming and you’ll probably find yourself being invited to join them for the second half and post-game tailgate. You’re not going to see nearly the quality of play that you will watching the Champions League final on TV, but there’s just something about being at a game, fully immersed in the atmosphere, that supersedes watching on TV, at almost any level of play. When Lionel Messi scores on TV and you hear the roar of the crowd, it can be pretty spectacular, but when your team scores right in front of you and you are part of that roar? Well hopefully you’ll get to experience that for yourself (unless you’re playing Dallas, of course). > [@](#): > > So, I guess I am a Liverpool fan by default? That seems…less than fulfilling though I can’t really tell you why. I’ll work out the fan thing later I suppose. Don’t pick a team yet. Watch some games and get a feel for how each team plays and some of their star names. Once you’ve found a team that you enjoy watching and identify with, regardless of win, loss or tie, that’s your team. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/42 "2011-05-05T18:15:50Z")
Yeah, a lot of teams have a few weeks rest, maybe a couple of months, then go on foreign tours to get ready for the new season, and to try to attract new commercial interest from foreign fans in America or the Far East or wherever they end up. Of course over the summer some foreign leagues will still be going, those countries like Russia where the winter is too cold to play, or countries in the Southern hemisphere, maybe some of the South American leagues. Or, if you want to expand your sporting horizons a bit further, there’s always cricket. First thing’s first, though, the end of the EPL, the final of the FA cup and the final of the European Cup (aka Champions’ League). Then watching the transfer window to see who goes where and waiting for the Charity Shield come August. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/43 "2011-05-05T18:27:04Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > So now that I have a game to watch, what do I need to know? I would definitely set up to watch the ManU/Chelsea match this weekend - it will potentially go a long way towards deciding the league title, and should be a great match. Also the CL final is a great place to start as well - a very high-impact match between two of the absolute giants. If you don’t have “a team” yet there’s a solid chance that watching Barca will get you hooked on them - they are an amazing club right now. > [@Wash](#): > > Don’t pick a team yet. Watch some games and get a feel for how each team plays and some of their star names. Once you’ve found a team that you enjoy watching and identify with, regardless of win, loss or tie, that’s your team. I also agree with this. I started watching EPL by recording most of the Fox Soccer matches and just following the teams that seemed interesting. The first year I really watched I followed Liverpool (they had Crouch at the time, who was fascinating for being so physically unique), Reading (newly promoted at the time, and fun to watch for awhile - no longer in the league), and Fulham (McBride then, Dempsey now - good American connections at the club). Eventually I settled in as an Arsenal fan due to Henry and their general approach. This has not been the best thing for my sanity, but when they play well they are second only to Barca in attractiveness, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/44 "2011-05-05T18:42:40Z")
My favourite aspect of football watching is actually the end-of-season relegation battles at the bottom of the league table (bottom three teams get relegated to the lower division). Sometimes the championship is pretty much decided several games before the end of the season, so the contest at the top of the table rather fizzles, out except for teams vying for Champions League places. But the battle at the other end of the table is always, always nail-biting. When teams survive at the last minute they celebrate like they’ve won the league. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/45 "2011-05-05T18:55:27Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > What do I need to know to start following the sport? I would suggest you start by reading about British matches on the BBC (because they’re in English) and watching South American matches (because they’re in almost the same timezones). ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/46 "2011-05-05T19:08:45Z")
Or the truly excellent football pages at the Guardian. If you want to get inside the irreverent mindset of soccer fandom, the Fiver (daily newsletter) and the Knowledge (basically the soccer version of the Straight Dope) are good places to start. I’m particularly fond of the team nicknames the Fiver comes up with, such as “Firewall FC” for Scunthorpe United (because, if you inspect the word “Scunthorpe” closely, you may see why it can set off net filtering software). ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/47 "2011-05-05T19:50:52Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > My favourite aspect of football watching is actually the end-of-season relegation battles at the bottom of the league table (bottom three teams get relegated to the lower division). Sometimes the championship is pretty much decided several games before the end of the season, so the contest at the top of the table rather fizzles, out except for teams vying for Champions League places. But the battle at the other end of the table is always, always nail-biting. When teams survive at the last minute they celebrate like they’ve won the league. This is a post that I feel like I should understand, but I don’t think I really do. What do you mean they get relegated to a lower division? How do the divisions work? Clearly not the way they do in American sports. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/48 "2011-05-05T19:58:25Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > This is a post that I feel like I should understand, but I don’t think I really do. What do you mean they get relegated to a lower division? How do the divisions work? Clearly not the way they do in American sports. As I understand it, at least in the British football leagues, the bottom few teams in a league each year get demoted to the next-lower-level league for the next season, while the top few teams in a league (except for the Premier League, which _is_ the highest level) get promoted to the next-higher-level league for the next season. This Wikipedia article on the English league system might help: > **[English football league system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_football_league_system)** > > The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for men's association football clubs in England, with five teams from Wales, one from Guernsey, one from Jersey and one from the Isle of Man also competing. The system has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between leagues at different levels, allowing even the smallest club the theoretical possibility of ultimately rising to the very top of the system, the Premier Le... You’re right, there’s nothing like it in American sports. Imagine if the worst MLB teams got demoted to AAA every year, while the top AAA teams got promoted to the majors. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/49 "2011-05-05T20:00:44Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > This is a post that I feel like I should understand, but I don’t think I really do. What do you mean they get relegated to a lower division? How do the divisions work? Clearly not the way they do in American sports. Most leagues are organised into divisions - the EPL is the top division in England and contains what should be the best 20 teams. Each team plays every other team twice in a season (home and away) and the winner is awarded three points. If the game is a draw (tie) both teams get 1 point. At the end of the season, the lowest placed three teams (based on points awarded) are relegated - they move down to the lower division and are replaced by the top three teams from that lower division. So if, say, West Ham are relegated from the EPL this season (distinctly possible) they will play in the Championship (the next division down) next season. ETA: Most countries structure their leagues in a similar way, but there may be differences in the number of teams per division, number promoted or relegated per season etc. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/50 "2011-05-05T20:12:44Z")
And relegation really matters, because it can be financially catastrophic (sponsorship and prize money is much lower in the lower divisions). Sometimes clubs gamble by spending big to try and stay in the Premier League. If they get relegated, they have to sell off players fast to reduce the wage bill. Portsmouth FC, for example, were relegated last year and almost went out of business completely, although in their case they were already in big financial trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/51 "2011-05-05T20:25:56Z")
And the most romantic aspect of the game is the fact that ANY team in england…ANY, can make it to the top flight. Yes, purely amateur teams can dream of playing against the big boys and if they can improve year on year then there is nothing to stop them doing just that. All they need is to be affiliated to the FA (which all are) and work their way through the various leagues. Rare for teams to come all the way from semi-pro to premier league but it can happen. [Wimbledon F.C.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimbledon_F.C.) are good example of this. ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/52 "2011-05-05T20:27:41Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > And relegation really matters, because it can be financially catastrophic (sponsorship and prize money is much lower in the lower divisions). Sometimes clubs gamble by spending big to try and stay in the Premier League. If they get relegated, they have to sell off players fast to reduce the wage bill. Portsmouth FC, for example, were relegated last year and almost went out of business completely, although in their case they were already in big financial trouble. Am I correct in thinking that relegated clubs actually get some financial help of some kind because of situations like this? I’m sure I heard something about that, but my memory is a bit hazy. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/53 "2011-05-05T20:30:42Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > And relegation really matters, because it can be financially catastrophic (sponsorship and prize money is much lower in the lower divisions). Sometimes clubs gamble by spending big to try and stay in the Premier League. If they get relegated, they have to sell off players fast to reduce the wage bill. I refer the right honorable gentleman to the statement regarding [Leeds United](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeds_United_A.F.C.) I made some moments ago Actually, looking at the wiki entry for Leeds, the “history” headings tell the story on their own. I particularly like “financial implosion” and “play-off misery and relegation” > [@](#): > > 1 History > 1.1 Pre-Leeds United > 1.2 1920–1960: Football League > 1.3 1961–1975: The glory years > 1.4 1974 – The Three Fortnights of Brian Clough; Jimmy Armfield Replaces Him > 1.5 1975–1988: Legends fail as managers > 1.6 1988–1995: The second golden era > 1.7 1996–2001: Living the dream > 1.8 2001–2004: Financial implosion > 1.9 2004–2007: Play-off misery and relegation > 1.10 2007–2010: Third tier for the first time > 1.11 2010–present: Return to The Championship ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/54 "2011-05-05T20:31:47Z")
> [@PaulParkhead](#): > > Am I correct in thinking that relegated clubs actually get some financial help of some kind because of situations like this? I’m sure I heard something about that, but my memory is a bit hazy. Yes, “parachute payments” over the first two or three (?) seasons that the relegated club spends out of the EPL, and they can amount to a reasonable amount of money, a few million anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/55 "2011-05-05T20:33:40Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I refer the right honorable gentleman to the statement regarding [Leeds United](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeds_United_A.F.C.) I made some moments ago I thought I’d spare your feelings by using another notable example of financial meltdown 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/56 "2011-05-05T22:02:41Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > I thought I’d spare your feelings by using another notable example of financial meltdown 😃 But by being so blatant about choosing another example it somehow hurt more! You forced me to come up with it myself, cruel…very cruel. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/57 "2011-05-05T22:08:40Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > All they need is to be affiliated to the FA (which all are) and work their way through the various leagues. Rare for teams to come all the way from semi-pro to premier league but it can happen. > [Wimbledon F.C.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimbledon_F.C.) are good example of this. Actually, Wimbledon are two good examples of this. One and a half, at least. AFC Wimbledon, formed by the bereft supporters of the original club nearly a decade ago and entered in the lowest level of English football, in the Combined Counties Premier League (by my reckoning about nine levels beneath the Premier League), will tomorrow play the first leg of their Conference National Play-off Semi-Final, should they win the play-offs (having finished in the top play-off place during the league season) they will be promoted into the fourth level of English football, back amongst the professional clubs in the League. That would also put them only one level below the original Wimbledon, now MK Dons. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/58 "2011-05-05T22:58:58Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I am curious and want to give the sport a fair shot. I followed hockey for the first time this past season and really enjoyed it, and am interested in expanding my horizons further. Watching the game at the highest level on TV is one thing. But you’ll do even better if you 1) go to a local game and 2) get a ball and try it yourself. Kick and control against a wall, get a couple of mates and play 2-on-2 with jumpers for goals. IMO the best soccer to watch is when you get contrasting playing styles or formations, classically European v South American. Or the continually flowing African sytle e.g. Nigeria v the short passing style favoured in Northern Europe e.g. Croatia. Or the frentic Scots v the patient minimal risk Italy. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/59 "2011-05-05T23:26:13Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > jumpers for goals That’s going to confuse them, because a “jumper” is a dress in the US! What’s more “mate” means sexual partner, or a ship’s officer, not so much a buddy. ---
**Author:** ![willthekittensurvive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2011, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842/60 "2011-05-06T09:26:28Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > That’s going to confuse them, because a “jumper” is a dress in the US! What’s more “mate” means sexual partner, or a ship’s officer, not so much a buddy. sounds awesome! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-an-american-start-to-follow-soccer-football/580842.md?page=4)