I've recently become addicted to English Premier League soccer. Any fans here?

VitoCo1972

I'm out of work and living in Los Angeles, so at noon every day I've been flipping on Premier League, FA Cup or Carling Cup matches and loving it. I'm not really trying to root for any team - although I've seen more Chelsea games because they're just on more. I'm curious if any supporters are on the board and if anyone has ever attended a game?

Compared to typical boring crowds at US sporting events, I'm transfixed by the insanity of these English crowds. It's pretty amazing to watch - especially since at (for example) recent NBA game's that I've been to, you can't get anyone to make any noise unless the jumbotron says "MAKE NOISE!" These wackos at the soccer matches are singing throughout the entire game...sort of makes up for the low scoring affairs and helps build anticipation. I'm curious if "real" fans over there have not been priced out by corporate types like at every major league game that I've been to since 1990 or so. Anyone have any info on this?

I have to say, I've enjoyed watching World Cup soccer in the past, and this interest was sparked by the Champions League Final last year when Man U played Chelsea in the All-England final and it was decided on penalty kicks. Though I never thought I would consider myself a soccer fan because there is just not enough room for it considering I follow MLB, NBA, NFL, The PGA Tour, College Football and College Basketball rabidly and watch the NHL playoffs, Tennis Majors and watch all the big boxing fights and even some MMA. I had always thought of soccer as boring until I started watching EPL.

MPeter

SOCCER = BORING

It's like throwing a tennis ball to your dog in the backyard......five minutes into it, you're ready for something else.

markj111

<< <i>SOCCER = BORING

It's like throwing a tennis ball to your dog in the backyard......five minutes into it, you're ready for something else. >>




I love the analogy.

mickeymantle24

I will just say I am not a soccer fan. Guess I am used to people getting hit without a penalty being called. lol

sagard

I find it much like the NFL. The intensity and effort seem lacking until the playoffs. Then it gets outstanding.

yawie99

Love it. I can barely watch American sports anymore - except for college football and maybe the NHL playoffs - but live for Saturday and Sunday morning EPL action. I've never been across the pond, but would bet that there has been some corporatization of the game. Still, very genuine passion sure comes across the tube, at least.

bman90278

bman90278

My previous post expresses my thoughts about anything pertaining to Soccer.

mcheath

I am a casual Chelsea fan. The Premier league is exicting but the World Cup is truly amazing. I picked up Chelsea as my favorite team after watching Michael Essien will Ghana into the second round in the last world cup. His play was remarkable.

jdip9

<<<I find it much like the NFL. The intensity and effort seem lacking until the playoffs. Then it gets outstanding. >>>

This analogy makes no sense. There are no playoffs in European soccer. Maybe you are referring to the Champions League? And please tell me you're not talking about the MLS?

Anyway, I've always been a huge World Cup fan, and I started getting into both the EPL and Serie A after Italy won the World Cup in 06. I can't say I'm the biggest fan there is, but I can definitely watch an entire EPL match provided one of the Big 4 or Villa are playing. I wish I could find a team to root for though.

The great thing about the EPL is that virtually EVERY game means something. The teams at the bottom are fighting not to be relegated, the teams in the middle are trying to rise up and grab a UEFA Cup spot, the teams at the top are battling for the league title and Champions League spots.

The structure of European football leagues makes the season INFINITELY more intruiging than American sports. With the exception of the NFL, I'm getting to the point in American sports where I couldn't care less about regular season games until about 80% of the way into the season.

yawie99

Yeah, I love the structure of the competitions in England, but I also doubt that most Americans can relate to having the most prestigious domestic tournament, the FA Cup, exist apart from - and simultaneously to, the EPL. It'd be akin to having playoff matchups pitting the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes against the Red Sox in mid-July while the regular MLB season is just entering the second half.

Great morning for you Chelsea fans. I totally jinxed the day by getting excited about the possibility of them, Man U. and Villa all dropping points, only to see all three score late winners.