So, new soccer fan: you've watched, and enjoyed, the World Cup. You're thinking that this soccer thing seems pretty fun, and you don't want to wait until the next World Cup - in June 2018, whole years from now! - to watch more soccer.
But what to watch? The USA men's team doesn't have meaningful matches again until next summer, and the women's CONCACAF championship isn't until October. It's a long time until you can again don your red, white, and blue scarf, and forget the words to "America the Beautiful." You need something now. It's time to dive into the glorious world of club soccer.
Years in the past, this meant pestering the kid who studied abroad one semester and came back with a Manchester United jersey and an annoying habit of saying "cheers" instead of "thanks," but I'm happy to report those days are long gone. You are awash in soccer choices. It's important to pick the right one. That's where SoccerCentric comes in; let us be your faithful Sherpa, guiding you among the mountains and helping you pick the right league for you.
The thing you liked best about the World Cup: Cheering for the Americans! U-S-A! U-S-A!
What you should watch: Minnesota United FC and the NASL
Minnesota's home team plays in Blaine; if you can't make it up there, their home games are broadcast on Channel 45, which you get at your house. The Loons are the home team, the local squad, and while it's true that the NASL is the American second division, it's also true that this doesn't mean Triple-A soccer. United's players aren't property of MLS teams, waiting for a callup to the big leagues; they've got their own championship to win. If you enjoyed being part of cheering for the home team, it's America and Minnesota for you.
(A word to anyone who complains about the quality of American soccer, or says they won't get invested in Minnesota soccer until MLS comes here, or anything along those lines: oh, sorry this game isn't good enough for you, Bobby Robson. While you're over there pontificating on whether the game is worthy of your attention, the rest of us are going to be over here, actually watching soccer and having fun.)
The thing you liked best about the World Cup: That, unlike baseball or football or basketball, the games are over in two hours
What you should watch: MLS
Love American sports, but hate that an American League baseball game now takes four hours to play? Allow Major League Soccer to step in. You can transfer over all of your usual prejudices: it's still safe to hate New York and Los Angeles (though not the second LA team, which is in terrible shape because of a crazy owner.) If it's local prejudice you want, you can cheer against Chicago and Kansas City, and it's always fun for a Minnesotan to cheer against Dallas. Plus: Hate Boston? Well, New England is terrible and their owner (Robert Kraft, the Patriots' owner) is the worst in the league! Ah, delicious schadenfreude.
