First started watching in the years when Gareth Bale ....

... was breaking through at Tottenham. To take advantage of his strengths, the Spurs played a fairly attacking and swashbucking game -- which generated lots of action-filled 3-2s and 4-3s.

This was the inverse of the defensive-minded, cautious soccer I had become used to with the US World Cup teams -- seemed like a totally different sport. In 2009 Tottenham was the club furthest from the US turtle-style, so I liked them right away.

I didn't learn about Tottenham history and rivalries until a little later. And no way would I have rooted for the bandwagon teams. Back then this would have been Manchester United especially.

I did learn to hate Arsenal pretty quickly though.

In response to this post by HokieNoVA

Posted: 05/09/2019 at 4:25PM

So how does a US soccer fan decide which EPL club to support? -- HokieNoVA 05/09/2019 2:59PM

I lived in London about a half mile (as the crow flies) from Craven Cottage -- North Main Hokie 05/09/2019 6:42PM

I became a Huddersfield fan... -- SteveInBaltimore 05/09/2019 6:19PM

I think you mean Championship :-) ** -- North Main Hokie 05/09/2019 6:28PM

Umm, yes -- SteveInBaltimore 05/09/2019 6:32PM

The reason I became a Red Devil fan is because when I was younger -- VTHokie2000 05/09/2019 5:46PM

I settled on Everton because i first liked the name... -- One4VT 05/09/2019 4:52PM

Tim Howard's long run there probably picked up a lot of US fans too.... ** -- North Main Hokie 05/09/2019 6:27PM

I think there is a latent US fanbase that the Club is neglecting -- One4VT 05/09/2019 6:50PM

This is how.... -- Vtskier1 05/09/2019 4:36PM

First started watching in the years when Gareth Bale .... -- VToncologyNurse 05/09/2019 4:25PM

Started watching on some past incarnation of Fox Soccer around 2000/2001 -- s.mill hokie 05/09/2019 3:54PM

I became a fan back in the 80s and my team was... -- No1Hokie 05/09/2019 3:33PM

My parents were born/raised in Liverpool - historically, Liverpool was the -- B777Fr8Dog 05/09/2019 3:29PM

I've asked friends who are EPL fans who I should like -- WestyHokie 05/09/2019 3:16PM

If only there was a thread halfway down this page explaining such. ;-) ** -- vthokieq 05/09/2019 3:15PM

Which thread is it? ** -- WestyHokie 05/09/2019 3:17PM

More to his last question in his post...but here it is... -- vthokieq 05/09/2019 3:19PM

Thanks, that's a great article ** -- WestyHokie 05/09/2019 3:39PM

Lived in Nottingham when they were in the EPL -- VT Pops 05/09/2019 3:13PM

Yes, but Forest or County?!? -- North Main Hokie 05/09/2019 6:24PM

Most definitely Forest. I could have played for Notts County back then -- VT Pops 05/09/2019 9:05PM

Don't really have an english team -- ElbertoHokie 05/09/2019 3:02PM

My EPL allegiance is based on pure, stupid chance -- Hokie Fiji 05/09/2019 4:55PM

First started watching in the years when Gareth Bale ....

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