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Schwartz: A Guide To The Top Soccer Clubs In The World

By Peter Schwartz
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It seems like I have the same conversation with my son all of the time.  He's playing his FIFA video game and always has a question about an international soccer team.  Sometimes I can give him the answer and sometimes I can't.

But now the answers to all of his questions -- and questions from all soccer fans -- can be found easily in a new book entitled "Club Soccer 101," written by Luke Dempsey and published by W. W. Norton & Company.

Soccer has never been more popular in the United States.  And fans of the beautiful game have never had so much access to a game that is growing in this country every year.

"This is really to do with the explosion of soccer in America -- not only in the MLS and the United States men's and women's teams, but on television," said Dempsey, who is originally from England but has called the United States home for the last 20 years.

"You can watch as much soccer as you want now from leagues all over the world."

"Club Soccer 101" cover
"Club Soccer 101" cover (Credit: W. W. Norton & Company)

Dempsey has compiled 101 essays on his top 101 clubs from all over the world. He goes through the history of the biggest teams from the the top leagues, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona, A.C. Milan and Bayern Munich. He also looks at such MLS teams as the New York Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy.

Now soccer fans can learn about all of these teams in a fun, nicely organized must-have soccer manual. It's clear that the number of soccer fans in our country is higher than ever before.

"I've noticed that wherever you go in America, you see soccer shirts from the MLS, English Premier League and from all over the world," said Dempsey. "I figured that it might be interesting for American fans -- especially who might not know everything there is to know about teams around the world -- and give them some background."

In choosing the 101 teams to cover in the book, Dempsey went with successful teams or teams with incredible stories and incredible histories. He also chose teams from important geographical locations.  He delves into each club's top stars and statistics.

During my conversation with Dempsey, I asked him to name his top-five most popular soccer clubs in the world, and he came up with an interesting list.

No. 1: Manchester United

"They're a massive global club," said Dempsey.  "I think there are more fans of Manchester United in Malaysia than there are in Manchester."

No. 2 Barcelona

"They never used to be as big as they are, but I think that Lionel Messi has really changed that around."

No. 3: Real Madrid

"Primarily because of Cristiano Ronaldo, I see a lot of Real Madrid shirts in cities around the world."

No. 4: Arsenal

"That might be because I'm surrounded by Arsenal fans in New York City when I go there. They're a big club and they have lots of superstars."

And for number five, Dempsey decided to stay at home. Make that his current home country, and not his former.

No. 5: Seattle Sounders

"They're not the biggest team in the world, but they're certainly the biggest team in America. They get 45,000 people to every home game, which would put them in the top six in the Premier League."

From a local standpoint, Dempsey includes the New York Red Bulls in his top 101. He goes through the club's history, which began in 1996 as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars before the name was changed to the New York Red Bulls in 2006.

Dempsey didn't care for the team's original name.

"Easily the worst name for a major sporting franchise every concocted," writes Dempsey, who resides in New Jersey and is a Red Bulls season-ticket holder.

But things have certainly turned around in recent years for the Red Bulls, who last season captured the MLS Supporters' Shield for finishing with the best record during the regular season.

But things are going to change for the Red Bulls next season.  After 19 seasons of having the New York/New Jersey area to themselves, the Red Bulls will have their first ever local rival when their 20th season kicks off.

New York City FC joins Major League Soccer in 2015 and will play at Yankee Stadium.

"It's going to be fascinating because the Red Bulls have needed a local rival for a long time," said Dempsey. "Clearly Manchester City and the New York Yankees are going to put a lot of funds into it, and they're going to bring in top players."

And they already have some top players in place, including Spanish star David Villa and Frank Lampard from England.

These are good times for soccer fans, not only in the New York metropolitan area but all over the United States.  MLS is doing well and the national teams have captured the attention of American sports fans during international tournaments, including the World Cup.  In addition, fans in the United States are also following foreign leagues like the EPL thanks to television.

Many soccer fans know everything there is to know about all of these teams, but many fans need a little extra help.  "Club Soccer 101" is that extra help for the soccer novices, but it's also a good resource for the most educated soccer fans as well.

For more information on the book, click here.

You can follow me on Twitter @pschwartzcbsfan.  You can also follow Luke Dempsey @ClubSoccer101.

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