For years, American football (or soccer, as it’s known in the US) has been seen as a fringe sport. But in recent years, that perception has changed dramatically. In fact, according to a recent study, the English Premier League (EPL) is now more popular among American viewers than any other sport except for the NFL. So what’s behind this surge in popularity? Let’s take a look.
There are plenty of familiar faces
With so many American players competing in the Premier League, it’s easy to feel like you have a rooting interest in almost every team. From Christian Pulisic at Chelsea to Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, and manager Jesse Marsch at Leeds United, there are plenty of USMNT players to choose from if you’re looking for someone to support. Indeed, many of these will be playing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and with so many looking at how to bet on the World Cup from the United States, many will be keen to see how the players that could represent the team in Qatar are doing. And let’s not forget about all the other global superstars who call the Premier League home, like Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and Harry Kane. There’s no shortage of talented players to watch in this league.
The EPL Is More Competitive Than Other Soccer Leagues
Let’s be honest: most American soccer fans could probably name more European soccer teams than they could US teams. And there’s a good reason for that. While Major League Soccer (MLS) is steadily improving, it simply doesn’t have the same level of competition as the European leagues. The EPL, in particular, is widely considered to be the best soccer league in the world, attracting some of the world’s best players. As a result, it’s far more entertaining to watch than MLS.
It’s Easy to Follow Along without Being a Soccer Expert
One of the things that can make soccer tough for newcomers to follow is all of the rules and jargon. But with the EPL, even casual fans can quickly get up to speed and understand what’s going on. That’s because there are relatively few rules compared to other sports (no offside calls to worry about, for instance), and much of the commentary is geared towards newcomers rather than experts. As a result, it’s easy to start following along and enjoying Premier League games even if you don’t know much about soccer.
There are many reasons why Americans have fallen in love with the Premier League in recent years. From its competitive nature to its convenient broadcast times, there’s something for everyone who enjoys watching soccer. If you haven’t already given the EPL a try, we highly recommend it—you might just find yourself becoming a fan!
