Help Me Pick a Soccer Team

[T B0NE 10]

I have never been into soccer in my whole life and I don't grasp much of the strategy yet. However 3 of my roommates this year are obsessed with FIFA 10 and I need to pick a team to play them with. One guys a Bayern Munich guy, one has Liverpool, and the other has Barcelona. Since I know nothing of clubs help me pick a club so I don't end up with like the Chicago Fire. Lets stick to German or Austrian teams since I study German and am planning on either studying abroad there or visiting there sometime.

[bacon06]

If you want to follow a German team with an American, Steve Cherundolo is captain of Hannover 96. Michael Bradley also plays for Borussia Monchengladbach and Jermaine Jones plays for Schalke 04.

[TooLiveBrew]

Not sure about the '10 rosters, but Werder Bremen, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Stuttgart, & Hamburg (HSV) rounded out the top 7 finishers in the real-world Bundesliga last season (Bayern Munich & Schalke finished 1-2). Whatever you do, imo you definitely want a team that's talented enough to hang with B.Munich, Liverpool, & FC Barça -- three of the best club teams in the world.

EDIT: I'd also say consider what kind of style (4-4-2, 4-3-3, etc.) you work with best, and see which teams have players to match your style.

[Funketown]

If you were playing FIFA 07, I'd say go with Santos. I tore up the Brazilian league with Mascherano, Tevez, and Nilmar!

 

I'd go with Schalke if you choose the German route. They have a huge stadium and fans that will pack it, a huge determinant of long-run dominance. A club with great history like Moenchengladbach could be fun, but I don't see them dominating in the future.

 

Just remember that whatever team you pick in the Bundesliga, they'll take a backseat to Bayern Munich for quite some time.

 

Given that your roommates already have the Bundesliga, EPL, and La Liga covered, you could take a club from France or Italy. Olympique Marseille and Inter have had success recently, and are generally well-run clubs.

 

Just don't be "that guy" and choose Man U. Although it would make your relationship with your Liverpool roommate quite funny.

[sbrylski]

I've also started watching EPL matches on Saturday mornings, so I'm looking to pick a team as well, EPL though. I might try Manchester City.

[TooLiveBrew]

If you were playing FIFA 07, I'd say go with Santos. I tore up the Brazilian league with Mascherano, Tevez, and Nilmar!

 

I can't believe I'm not the only one that still plays '07. I love that game.

[Diskono]

Play as Fulham and beat the Liverpool guy a lot.

[nsimps]

Borussia Mochengladbach is where Michael Bradley plays for a German squad. Otherwise you might look into playing with a squad near where you're going to be in Germany/Austria.

[bigredrobbo]

Forget Austrian teams - you'd have more luck playing with Chicago Fire! As for German sides, all the names mentioned are decent (but not spectacular) sides. Since Borussia Dortmund stopped being the main challengers to Bayern, most are good without being special. Video games in particular seem to favor history and reputation quite a bit, so I guarantee none of the other German sides will be competitive to those mentioned for your buddies.

 

I'd suggest maybe an Italian team like Inter or AC Milan, Juventus or maybe Roma. Failing that, the English sides always seem to do well, like Chelski, Arsenal or the obvious choice, Man. Utd.

 

Unless you want to go with the best mix of reputation, current squad and history not yet mentioned - Real Madrid!

[T B0NE 10]

I may have to be Chelsea, Man U or Real Madrid because everyone is amazing at the game and I'm terrible

[ILuvDaBush]

I would probably pick Man City. They have a video game roster in place and it will undoubtedly irk your Liverpool mate because of the different set of rules City seems to play by. Following them may be a pain because they don't have any sense of cohesion but their roster is made for gaming. And as they say, when in Rome. Otherwise, you could always buck the trend and go with a team like Ajax. I love me some Ajax!

[TooLiveBrew]

Ok, outside of German teams, just choose a superpower team. All your buddies already have.

[Mike2k33]

Just so you know, as a fan of Liverpool, I will be rooting for your buddy in all FIFA 10 matches. Also, I'd pick Real Madrid given the clubs already taken.

 

If quality of the team was of no importance I'd choose League 2's Burton Albion, wonderfully nicknamed the Brewers.

[RyDogg66]

Im Atletico Madrid. They have some good strikers and I have had a lot of success with them.

[kilgore37]

Watch some of the games then pick one that you like. I started watching like 6 years ago and like a lot of the players on Chelsea. Plus they where on TV a bit so I could watch them most weeks. Now with the internet you can follow most any team but please don't follow Man U. It's like rooting for the Yankees.

[TooLiveBrew]

Rooting for Chelsea isn't? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[chrisisoutrunning]

I was thinking the same thing only with Real Madrid. I'd vote them as the Yankees if we're looking at $$ spent.

[sbrylski]

Be someone a little bit different. Take a second tier team, like F.C. Porto.

[kilgore37]

Rooting for Chelsea isn't? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

Well I started the year before Roman showed up and Ken Bates wasn't a big spender. Also if you look at the last 3 years we've spent very little for a top 4 team. Hell Villa and the Spuds out spent us

[Diskono]

Well I started the year before Roman showed up and Ken Bates wasn't a big spender. Also if you look at the last 3 years we've spent very little for a top 4 team. Hell Villa and the Spuds out spent us

In transfer fees, sure. But in terms of actual salary, Chelsea have to be way ahead of everybody except maybe those two in Manchester.

 

Fun fact: Chelsea wouldn't exist today if Fulham hadn't declined an offer to move to Stamford Bridge.

[Funketown]

In tragic soccer news, France was able to beat Bosnia-Herzegovinia of Former Yugoslavia and the Middle Western Balkan Peninsular State of Hrsdgegver.

 

Perhaps we could turn this into a soccer thread? I've really enjoyed watching back-to-back-to-back EPL matches on ESPN and my computer while watching my puppy on Saturdays. I can't say I'm a Chelsea fan, but they have been a blast to watch so far.

[kilgore37]

We also cut our wage bill quite a bit specifically this year. We let 3 huge earners go and replaced them with 2 lesser earners. Plus our 1st team squad is quite small only 19. Chelsea is off to a fantastic start, After scoring the most goals ever in the premier league and the most ever in the top flight in over 40 years. Can't wait till the end of September to put City in there place.