Mastodawn

Black-Eyed Katydid

I have no #PremierLeague history or baggage - which team should I adopt and why?

Context: I'm a longtime casual soccer/football fan - watch international tournaments, follow USMNT players abroad, couldn't care less about MLS (except Messi highlights). I appreciate the quality and visibility of #EPL, but my engagement is limited by my lack of team identity. I typically steer clear of front-runner bandwagons, but I'm also not a masochist (my US sports teams provide enough suffering).

@BEK97 I root for Tottenham and jumped on board with them about 13-15 yrs ago. Why? Because they weren’t arsenal, Man U or Liverpool. Which is all I ever saw anyone rooting for. I’m a glutton for punishment and like underdog teams that have occasional success. Right now, Tottenham is playing under a new coach who has a thrilling style of play. All about playin it on the front foot with high press. They play with inverted backs, which so far has been thrilling to watch. Should you be a spurs fan?

Jeremy D. Goodwin // JDG Aug 28, 2023

@Phreba @BEK97 I adopted Tottenham when I got into soccer with the 2014 WC fwiw. Worst thing they’ve done to me is caused me to miss Jam night.

@JeremyDGoodwin @BEK97 d’oh!!! #COYS , love to see it. And so far I’m absolutely loving the way the team is playing this year.

Jfrites Aug 28, 2023

@Phreba @JeremyDGoodwin @BEK97

Couldn’t agree more. I’m about 20 years in on Spurs and it’s been a ride.

Growing up a Yankee fan when the Yankees sucked I didn’t want to take the short road to winning in the EPL.

It’s been an unreal ride from Bale to Kane and now the future.

Also being a Jew my friends said I had no choice.

Heading to a game on the backend of my trip in the fall.

Goose on the front end and Spurs on the back.

@Jfrites @JeremyDGoodwin @BEK97 love this! I didn’t even mention the Jewish angle as there’s only one team to support if Jewish. It’s been a ride that’s for sure, my son used to call spurs “Real Madrid Academy”. I love where this team is at right now though. Getting younger and playing with a real identify and purpose. Reminds me of the Poch years.

Jeremy D. Goodwin // JDG Sep 19, 2023

@BEK97 @Jfrites @Phreba That was a big part of the equation for me. Anyway, looks like it’s time to get over my Kane mourning and pay attention to this season.

@JeremyDGoodwin @BEK97 @Jfrites perfect timing as the north London derby is this Sunday. This team is in fine form, if spurs can just take a point from arsenal at the emirates, it will be massive. So hard to do well there.

Jeremy D. Goodwin // JDG Aug 28, 2023

@Phreba @BEK97 @Jfrites I chose carefully and the Jewish angle was big for me, too. I’m slow to tune into this season because I’m mourning Kane, whose emergence was simultaneous with my burgeoning fandom.

Black-Eyed Katydid Aug 28, 2023

@Jfrites @Phreba @JeremyDGoodwin nice! Enjoy the old-world jams and football!

Black-Eyed Katydid Aug 28, 2023

@JeremyDGoodwin @Phreba other way around for me. I missed an all-timer college football game that friends & family talk about to this day (ECU Pirates beating top-10 Miami following Hurricane Floyd in 1999) for the Autumn Equinox festival. But no regrets - those late 90s smallish festivals (inc. All Good) were so much fun!

friendlybook Aug 27, 2023

@BEK97 out of curiosity, why the apathy towards MLS? It’s a very entertaining league.

Black-Eyed Katydid Aug 27, 2023

@friendlybook no hate for MLS, it's just always seemed like a minor league to me and I have limited time to watch sports, so I prefer seeing top-level play. I'm sure if I lived in a city with an MLS team, I'd get on board. Maybe Messi will be the spark?

friendlybook Aug 27, 2023

@BEK97 Thats fair, I guess. The standard of play is lower (tho it’s getting better every year)

But holy shit does it make up for it in unpredictability.

Most Euro leagues have 2-3 contenders, and everybody else fighting for scraps, maybe a Euro berth.

MLS, on the other hand, a team can win the league one season and miss the playoffs the next, or vice versa. Any team can win any game; that just isn’t true of the Prem. This year, an expansion team is leading the Western conference. It’s wild.

Chop Aug 27, 2023

@friendlybook @BEK97 I have trouble watching MLS bc of the quality of play. Feels like watching XFL.

Chop Aug 27, 2023

@BEK97 Arsenal.

Enough money behind them to compete on the world stage, but not flooded with Russian/Saudi money or hedge fund cash that’s ruining the sport. Haven’t won anything major in a very long time but on their way up so still kind of an underdog. Exciting players and exciting style of play. Great history.

Great US supporters club. Lots of fans on Masto. Located in North London if you ever take a trip to see them.

Black-Eyed Katydid Aug 27, 2023

@chopaganda solid reasons, will consider, thanks. I'd love to catch a game (match) in the UK someday!