Guilty Pleasures for the American Newbies

Everyday I receive email from various readers new to the sport of soccer, particularly the American ladies and of course my mom. (By the way, thanks to all for the feedback, support, and insightful questions.) Newbie readers love the blog, love the passion, and are curious about a sport they once mistakenly thought was boring. The number one question I get over and over again is a fairly simple one: There are so many teams, so many countries, so many styles of play: who should I support??? Never fear brave fans, this American Soccer Maniac is here to save the day...

 
In order to properly address our reader's concerns, let me make a few points clear. Football is an EVER evolving sport/business, with players switching teams at an alarming rate during the winter and summer transfer periods depending on a team's financial situation, player performance, management team, league standing, etc. Add relegation to the mix and you may not recognize your team on a year to year basis if you don't keep up. (Relegation: in soccer, the last place teams are demoted from the major league to the minor league while top minor league teams get promoted to the majors. Certainly the NBA, NFL, and MLB should consider adopting this system to increase competition amongst poor performing teams or consider contracting, especially the NBA!) Consequently, I've decided to create a 'recommend viewing list' of teams I consider very enjoyable to watch during the current 2010-2011 season. These various clubs serve as a football advertisement for newbies and represent a great reference point to begin your football indoctrination. 

Please keep in mind, these teams aren't necessarily the best teams in their respective countries; however they are usually fun to watch and ultimately support if you give them a chance...As an added bonus, I have included a link to a snapshot of each team compiled by our friends at Goal.com, a favorite watering hole of this fan. Enjoy your journey throughout the world of football and welcome to the life-long passion......We Salute You!

Lord Sabre

In no particular order of preference (click each team for link to more info):

• Arsenal (English Premier League)
• Udinese (Italy's Serie A)
• Borussia Dortmund (Germany's Bundesliga)
• Valencia (Spain's La Liga)
• Napoli (Italy's Serie A)
• Villareal (Spain's La Liga)
• Barcelona (Spain's La Liga)
• Shakhtar Donesk (Ukraine)
• Tottenham Hotspur (English Premier League)
• Bayern Munich (Germany's Bundesliga)
• Manchester United (English Premier League)
• Roma (Italy's Serie A)
• Fenerbahce (Turkey's Spor Toto Super Lig)
• Paris Saint-Germain (France's Ligue 1)
• PSV (Netherland's Eredivisie)
• Bayern Leverkusen (Germany's Bundesliga)
• Lille (France's Ligue 1) 
• Porto (Portugal's Liga)

 Here are additional clubs that fan's love worldwide:

(AC Milan, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Olympic Marseille, Sevilla, Olympic Lyon, Celtic, Juventus, Ajax, Chelsea, Benfica, Lazio, Manchester City, Athletico Madrid, Fiorentina, Aston Villa, Werder Bremen, Rangers, Schalke '04)