Soccer has never been more popular in America. I don’t have any of the facts needed to back that statement up. But it feels true doesn’t it?
Maybe my perception is skewed because I live in the nation’s top media market for the Barclay’s Premier League, but I’ve never seen more people gravitating towards both world football and domestic football.
There are any number of entities who should be given credit for the success of soccer in America, but more than the U.S. Women’s National team, or the men, or ESPN or Messi or whatever, much credit has to be given to NBC. The Peacock owns no rights to MLB, consequential college football or basketball, or the NBA. It owns the rights to one NFL game per week and a Super Bowl every three years. And it owns the rights to the NHL. This is all to say, NBC is not a sporting giant. It lags well behind the other three major networks in sports.
So, heading into the 2013 season, NBC took a big risk and bet on the Barclays Premier League. In their first two seasons of owning the BPL’s broadcasting rights, NBC set itself apart from every other network in its coverage of a singular professional sports league. Utilizing NBC Sports Network (and, it should be said, giving that formerly weird, ambiguous network an identity) NBC created great companion programming for the matches they were airing. Beyond that, they made every match accessible. Previously, under Fox and ESPN, you were forced to watch Manchester United and whomever was playing Manchester United. NBC Extra Time gave viewers instant, free access to every West Bromwich, Sunderland, and Everton match. And for some, that’s not that exciting, I’m sure. But for others, it exposed them to different styles of footballing and has helped to create fanbases for those clubs here in the States that otherwise might have existed, but no one would have noticed.
So here we sit on the precipice of something really seismic. Soccer is officially not going away in the U.S. It’s only going to become more popular as more matches become available to more people. Fox will begin broadcasting Bundesliga matches this season. And Fox, ESPN, and UniMas will continue broadcasting MLS games. And hopefully (their contract expires at the end of this season) NBC will continue to grow the English Premier League, the best league in the world, here in the U.S. Gone are the arguments about the virtues of soccer. If you’re still trying to tell everyone it’s too boring and too low scoring, stop. You’ve already lost a battle you didn’t even need to be fighting. People care. Atlanta and Minneapolis will soon have first-division American soccer clubs. Both already have excellent supporters groups. If you dislike soccer so much, I’m sorry, but you’re running out of countries in the world where you can avoid it.
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The 2015-16 Barclays Premier League seasons begins on Saturday, though it’s worth noting, the season never really ends. Your favorite team, or your future favorite team, plays all year. Once the official club season ends, you can find your favorite club playing exhibitions across the world, from Hanoi to Houston. The peak of a professional footballer is really in the mid-20s. Some players excel into their early 30s. Few do it into their mid 30s and on a rare occasion, someone will excel past 35. It’s a year round game and because of that, it’s a young man’s game.
What follows is my own little idiot’s guide (written by one, for one) to the 2015-16 BPL (or EPL if you prefer) season. Clubs listed are in alphabetical order. Star player is a a stretch for some. Skip to the end for my predicted order of finish and other tidbits.
Arsenal
Plays in: London
Nickname: The Gunners
Wears: Red and White
American Sports Comp: Dallas Cowboys (former powerhouse turned competitive punchline)
Star Player: Alexis Sanchez
2015-16 Expectations: Win the whole thing. It’s been over a decade since Arsenal finished the season top of the table. Expectations are rightfully high this season. Arsenal’s biggest weakness may have become their greatest strength this offseason when they added former Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Cech. Arsenal is probably the deepest squad in the EPL in the midfield and may turn to natural midfielder Theo Walcott to provide some speed at the forward position.
Aston Villa
Plays in: Birmingham
Nickname: The Villains
Wears: Claret and Blue
American Sports Comp: Cleveland Browns (spurts of success, mostly surrounded by mediocrity and failure)
Star Player: Jordan Ayew (notwithstanding that he’s never actually played a match for Aston Villa)
2015-16 Expectations: Maybe get relegated. Aston Villa has never been relegated out of the Premier League, but if it’s going to happen, this might be the year. The squad lacks depth and certainly lacks proven punch up front with the departure of striker Christian Benteke (now at Liverpool).
AFC Bournemouth
Plays in: Bournemouth
Nickname: The Cherries
Wears: Red and Black
American Sports Comp: Like if the Toledo Mud Hens were promoted to Major League Baseball tomorrow (making EPL debut this season)
Star Player: Sylvain Distin (?)
2015-16 Expectations: Play exciting football and hope to stay up. Bournemouth plays a ferocious attacking brand of football, which is to say that they’re bound to get thrashed a few times this season. Goal difference could matter for them at the end of the season. Of the 3 newest editions, they’re by far the most intriguing, in terms of watching them.
Chelsea
Plays in: London
Nickname: The Blues
Wears: Blue
American Sports Comp: St. Louis Cardinals (Very successful, insufferable and sometimes racist fans)
Star Player: Eden Hazard (reigning Player of the Year)
2015-16 Expectations: Win again. Chelsea will look to repeat as champions this season, despite making very few changes to last year’s club that, as the season wore on, started to show some cracks. That said, no one of consequence left Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will look to do as they always do: take a 1-0 lead, drop 9 men back defensively (park the bus) and hope to hold on to the victory. Some people think they suck all the joy out of football, but I’d never say that….
Crystal Palace
Plays in: London
Nickname: The Eagles
Wears: Blue, Red, and Yellow
American Sports Comp: Seattle Mariners (Cool stadium, good fans, little hope of ever winning anything)
Star Player: Yohan Cabaye
2015-16 Expectations: Alan Pardew left his managerial post at Newcastle with the club in shambles, came to South London, and now has Palace poised to make another run at a top 10 finish. The offseason addition of Cabaye from Paris Saint-Germain was a stunner and, as such, might be the move of the entire EPL offseason. Look for Palace to finish top 10 and possibly be in contention for a Europa League spot.
Everton
Plays in: Liverpool
Nickname: The Toffees
Wears: Blue and White
American Sports Comp: New York Jets (Second tier in their market, haven’t made a title run in a very long time, will sneak up on you and compete despite flaws)
Star Player: Romelu Lukaku
2015-16 Expectations: Europa League. Granted, last year’s trip through the enclaves of Eastern Europe did nothing to help the Toffees’ EPL season as they languished in medicority despite lofty expectations. It’s a make-or-break season for Manager Roberto Martinez. He may need to make a run at the Champions League to retain his job, given the amount of talent at Everton. Problem being: there’s a lot of talent at the other top 6 clubs and only 4 Champions League spots to go around.
Leicester City
Plays in: Leicester
Nickname: The Foxes
Wears: Blue and White
American Sports Comp: Columbus Blue Jackets (Also a sports organization that wears blue)
Star Player: Leonardo Ulloa
2015-16 Expectations: Somehow, Leicester snuck out of the relegation zone last season. They probably won’t be as lucky this season. The loftiest of expectations for this club is simply for them to stay up.
Liverpool
Plays in: Liverpool
Nickname: The Reds
Wears: Red
American Sports Comp: Boston Red Sox (Supporters so vocal that you can’t help but be a little annoyed by their dedication. Also, play in an historic stadium. Also owned by the same person)
Star Player: Jordan Henderson
2015-16 Expectations: All over the map. Liverpool fans will tell you this is a team that can make a run at the Top 4. Rational people will tell you this is a club that will have to contend, like their Merseyside rivals Everton did last season, with life in Europa, playing Thursday matches in rural Bulgaria before returning home to England to play the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United. It’s not an easy road and frankly, might be the end of it for Boss Brendan Rogers.
Manchester City
Plays in: Manchester
Nickname: The Citizens
Wears: Sky Blue
American Sports Comp: Los Angeles Dodgers (After years of failure, new owners came in with limitless money and decided to buy titles)
Star Player: Sergio Aguero
2015-16 Expectations: Realistically, a top 4 finish, but with the financial commitment ownership has given, anything less than a title will not be enough. Squad depth will be the real concern, as it was last season. A healthy Sergio Aguero will go a long way towards Man City’s success.
Manchester United
Plays in: Old Trafford, Greater Manchester
Nickname: The Red Devils
Wears: Red
American Sports Comp: New York Yankees (After years of success, they still throw limitless money at players to varied results)
Star Player: Wayne Rooney
2015-16 Expectations: Championship. Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United are, I believe, the only 3 teams that are deep enough to make a run at EPL glory. United might be slow out of the box, as they were last season, but there’s such a dynamic influx of talent, led by Memphis Depay, that it’s hard to see them not fighting it out until Week 38 for a championship trophy.
Newcastle United
Plays in: Newcastle upon Tyne
Nickname: The Magpies
Wears: Black and White
American Sports Comp: Oakland Raiders (Frightening fans known for their less than welcoming nature. The club is also always mired in controversy)
Star Player: Mousa Sissoko
2015-16 Expectations: Hanging on by a thread would be considered a great success for Newcastle in 2015-16. This is a club in constant turmoil, no matter who is at the helm. It’s hard to get big name players to come to Newcastle and it’s hard to get young talent to stay there. That revolving door doesn’t lend itself to great success.
Norwich City
Plays in: Norwich
Nickname: The Canaries
Wears: Yellow and Green
American Sports Comp: Tampa Bay Rays (Charming in their small-time nature, you can’t help but root for them to do well even though the financial backing isn’t there)
Star Player: Wes Hoolahan
2015-16 Expectations: They were good enough to stick around two years ago, but faltered late. This time around, they’re just as good. This isn’t a team that will make a run at any glory, but it should be one that’s safe for another season.
Southampton
Plays in: Southampton
Nickname: The Saints
Wears: Red and White
American Sports Comp: Houston Astros (Great youth development is leading to a period of tangible success)
Star Player: Ryan Bertrand
2015-16 Expectations: If life, or football, were fair, Southampton would get to compete for trophies. Instead, they have to sell off their young talent and rebuild with other young talent. The Saints play a fun style of football with a solid backline, led by fullback Ryan Bertrand and centreback Jose Fonte. Up front, it’s speed for days with Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic, and finishing ability with Jay Rodriguez and Graziano Pelle. Another Europa League bid would be a big boost, but I look for Southampton to struggle playing in this year’s tournament for the first time.
Stoke City
Plays in: Stoke-on-Trent
Nickname: The Potters
Wears: Red and White
American Sports Comp: Buffalo Sabres (Team playing in a random industrial post without any history of great success)
Star Player: Mame Diouf
2015-16 Expectations: The most intriguing team of the offseason, Stoke has rebranded from being a grind-it-out club, reflective of the cold, industrial town they reside in to a Barcelona-light, pass-happy, possession-happy, beautiful football playing club. Some think that’ll translate to Europa League while others think a strictly mid-table finish is the best expectation. That said, whatever happens, they’ll be fun to watch for the first time in a long time.
Sunderland
Plays in: Sunderland
Nickname: The Black Cats
Wears: Red and Black
American Sports Comp:Detroit Lions (Never really any good, but never quite the worst)
Star Player: Adam Johnson
2015-16 Expectations: Get the PR campaign all booted up for their 2016-17 run at the Championship Division crown.
Swansea City
Plays in: Swansea (Wales)
Nickname: The Swans
Wears: White and Black
American Sports Comp: Toronto Raptors (Only team from a country other than England in the Premier League. No great history of success.)
Star Player: Gylfi Sigurdsson
2015-16 Expectations: Continue their trend of mid-table success.
Tottenham Hotspur
Plays in: London
Nickname: Spurs
Wears: White and Blue
American Sports Comp: Kansas City Chiefs (One of the best home-field advantages and fan bases in the sport despite not having a lot to really brag about)
Star Player: Harry Kane
2015-16 Expectations: This is the yea…..no I’m joking, they’ll just make it back to the Europa League again.
Watford
Plays in: Hertfordshire
Nickname: The Hornets
Wears: Yellow and Black
American Sports Comp: New York Islanders (Powerhouse in the 1980s. Barely alive since)
Star Player: Etienne Capoue
2015-16 Expectations: In the swimming pool that is the bottom of this table, hope to hold their breath just long enough to outlast the other bottom-feeders.
West Bromwich Albion
Plays in: West Bromwich
Nickname: The Baggies
Wears: White and Blue
American Sports Comp: Pittsburgh Pirates (Competitive from the 1950s-1980s, not much after that, on the incline now)
Star Player: Sadio Berahino
2015-16 Expectations: See: City, Swansea.
West Ham United
Plays in: London
Nickname: The Hammers
Wears: Claret and Blue
American Sports Comp: Brooklyn Nets (Cool new stadium opening next year. Always forgotten about in their large media market)
Star Player: Diafara Sakho
2015-16 Expectations: Rumors of their demise have to be premature. This was a club that finished 12th, 13th, and 10th in each of the last three seasons. And frankly, the bottom of this table is so crowded, that I have a hard time believing West Ham will be opening their beautiful new stadium in 2016-17 with a Championship division match against MK Dons.
FINAL TABLE
1. Manchester United
2. Arsenal
3. Chelsea
4. Manchester City
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Everton
7. Stoke City
8. Liverpool
9. Crystal Palace
10. Swansea City
11. West Bromwich Albion
12. Southampton
13. Norwich City
14. West Ham United
15. Aston Villa
16. AFC Bournemouth
17. Newcastle United
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18. Sunderland
19. Watford
20. Leicester City
NOTABLES
Player of the Year: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
First Manager to Get Sacked: Steve McClaren (Newcastle United)
First Also-ran Manager to Get a New Job: Paul Lambert (Newcastle United)
Biggest Disappointment: Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Best Incoming Transfer: (tie) Memphis Depay (Manchester United), Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace)
Worst Incoming Transfer: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Team To Make Furthest Champions League Run: Arsenal (Quarterfinals)
PROMOTED FOR 2016-17
1. Blackburn Rovers
2. Hull City
3. Middlesbrough
Mid-Atlantic Bias 