re: I'm switching my allegiance in club soccer...

That's quite a bit of spin saying 'Pool have been "mostly a shite side domestically" in their stretch of recent CL success. Your response to thenry's Bama fan comparison reiterated his point. It doesn't matter how many European championships you have in your trophy case, it matters what team you have in that particular season. Liverpool won't be a contender in the future in Europe because of their history, they'll be judged on their talent and luck in that particular year's competition. Same with anyone else. I don't think anyone really sees AC Milan this as a favorite in Europe despite their history...

And you're very optimistic about Comolli. I'm not sure he's accomplished enough to merit that sort of confidence.

On my last Liverpool related note, 'Pool contacted Borussia Dortmund's manager about their position, but he declined. Another name the journo threw out there (that was totally him speculating) was Ralf Ragnick, who he dubbed Wenger-esque.

quote:

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Stanford Bridge

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some chelsea fans might not like that

Newcastle is a good club to follow as well. Whoever said that the PL doesn't feel right without them is correct. Everton is a respectable side. Sunderland is an up and comer as well.

yea, Newcastle would be a good team to follow also..

B-Mac...I've decided you can convert me to L'Pool if you break bank and take me to a game at Anfield on your dime. I need to experience it first hand.

frick...me

FC United, for serious.
Newcastle or Bolton I'd say. It's hard to pull against Bolton or Fulham with StuHawk and Dempsey on their sides

I think Henderson can connect us...be in touch with him. I'll give him my info to forward to you. Much appreciated bro.

ETA: And a Comelli e-mail would be bitchin', thank you kindly.

I'd rank the clubs to follow in EPL this way

1) Fulham: always been American friendly, currently home to Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson (not for much longer, however)

1a) Everton: one of those borderline clubs that can break into the top four without throwing City or Chelsea dollars around. Tim Howard between the sticks. Strong history and rivalries.

2) Bolton: Stu Holden, and Owen Coyle plays very attack-minded, aggressive football.

3) Tottenham: Another history rich club on the rise, plays attractive football, and usually makes a run over here in the US during the summer.

Those 4 clubs also have strong rivalries with one of the traditional "Big 4" (Fulham - Chelsea, Everton - Liverpool, Bolton - Nevermind, Tottenham - Arsenal)

Don't forget, there are other leagues and countries to follow. I'd start with an MLS team if you don't have one.

On the European front, Spain plays the most attractive football, Germany is the most competitive, and France usually has great young talent. Italy is on the downslide but still has exciting sides like Napoli or Palermo.

Possibilities:

Spain: (assuming you want nothing to do with Barca or RM): Villareal (Jozy Altidore) would be my top choice, with Sevilla and Valencia as competitive sides who always seem to be in the mix. Mallorca is cool too b/c Rafa Nadal is an owner.

Germany: Jermaine Jones looks on the out at Schalke, so you have Cherundolo at Hannover, Daniel Williams at Freiburg, and Rico Clark at Frankfurt, as well as Michael Bradley at 'Gladbach. Germany's dominant side, Munich, is the biggest club but for some reason seems supportable to me. Borussia Dortmund is worth a follow as well; a lot of history and on fire this year with great young talent, especially Shinji Kagawa.

Italy: Palermo and Napoli are good non-big sides, Roma is a big side but usually secondary to Juve, Milan, and Inter, and Milan is a well-run club that will always be in the European mix.

France: Davies at Sochaux, I enjoy watching Bordeaux for a reason I can't pinpoint, and Captain America is at St. Ettiene.

Holland: Another fun league. Ajax are kings and usually filters through the best talent in Holland, but there are some other entertaining sides. PSV has American connections (Run DMB) and history, and Twente is a new up and comer who has been at or near the top of the table from seemingly nowhere recently.

Personally, I enjoy following American players in any league, some of the borderline teams or the ones I mentioned in the big leagues, and then the dominant sides in lesser leagues. It makes it easier to keep up with the teams and gives an interest in a league with no real connections to you.

Enjoy the hunt. Remember, no matter what these fools tell you, you don't owe anything to a club. You can pick as you like, because unless I'm unaware of some family connection, you have no real connection to these clubs. It's why I like to follow Americans, because that's the only real connection I have to a club.

And the club certainly does not choose you. That's romanticized and literally impossible, unless you actually get offered a contract by a club, which would just be cool.

I'd suggest Bayern then. Potential, but currently are in a shite hole. You can experience pain for now, but they will turn it around (eventually)

I have my permanent side in Man U, as I too got lured into the whole winning every year appeal. But now I have several players I follow, which leads me to follow a multitude of other clubs. I don't make allegiances because players can turn to shite and get dealt in no time