Ranking The Most Popular EPL Teams In The United States

My Football Facts ⇒ Articles

By Jonathan Lewis | 18th OCT 2021

While American football will always be the top –football- in the United States, with events like the Monday Night Football games being one of the most important dates in the NFL regular season, there’s no secret that Americans are fans of EPL football or soccer, as well. Given the massive popularity that the sport of football has around the world, with many of the US’ top players all having played or playing for EPL teams, and with the English Premier League being the most popular and competitive professional football league in the world, US football fans have taken to some of its most popular teams as their favorites.

For years now, the EPL and its teams have made it a point to reach out more and more to the US market, with preseason tours and exhibition matches, as well as having their matches broadcasted on a weekly basis by major sporting media outlets. But which teams rank as favorites for US fans? Let’s break down the list.

Honorable Mentions

Some teams like Tottenham, Bolton Wanderers, Leeds United, Fulham, Aston Villa, Everton, and Sunderland have all managed to make positive and lasting impressions within the US growing soccer culture, especially because of the team’s having had American players in their rosters throughout different spans of their history. Players like Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller, Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, and Brian McBride to name a few have all called the EPL their home for extended periods of time, all while leaving very good impressions upon English football fans while also allowing for the relationship between the EPL and the US flourish.

Manchester United

In the world of sports, especially from a business point of view, Manchester United sits right at the top of the Olympus of sports organizations in the world with teams like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers, and New England Patriots accompanying them. This is why it’s no surprise that the “Red Devils” are the most popular EPL football team in the United States. With a constantly growing fan base that amasses around 35 to 40% of all American EPL fans, Manchester United has become one of the most followed and beloved squads in the country, with their preseason tours and matches always being some of the most sought after tickets.

Also, it doesn’t hurt to have someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, social media’s most famous athlete be their main attraction card. Moreover, this team has proven to be a very sought-after option at both land-based and online sportsbooks. Also, there are many players who visit online casinos to get a low wagering casino bonus.  However, many of these online casinos also feature a sports betting option, and players who visit them usually choose Manchester United as one of the bets on their virtual betting slips. So, even for those in the gambling industry, Manchester United is a great business option.

Liverpool

Is there any place in the world, apart from Manchester of course, where Liverpool is not a fan favorite? Be it because of the romanticized history that the club carries, their ever growing loyal fan base or simply because they’re a team that are easier to like than to hate, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool have made their way into American fans and their relationship seems to not show any signs of stopping any time soon. Former American goalkeeper Brad Friedel played for Liverpool back in the late ’90s and with LeBron James as a part-owner of the team, Liverpool’s relationship with the US will only continue to grow as time progresses.

Chelsea FC

Have you heard of a certain Chelsea player called Christian Pulisic? Well, believe it or not, one of Chelsea’s best young talents is American. Now, that’s not the reason for Chelsea’s popularity in America, but given that football culture is taking off in great ways in the US, with more and more youngsters looking up to players like Pulisic as inspirations to get their playing careers going, Chelsea has garnered a very big following. Just like Manchester United, since Chelsea joined the ranks as one of the most popular and powerful football teams in the world, they’ve made it a point to extend their reach to the American market, with preseason visits and exhibition games against other European squads and MLS teams as one of the main attractions that the “Blues” offer their American fans.

Manchester City

Some time before Manchester City was the team we know today, they had an American as one of their more important players, Claudio Reyna. But, of course, everything took a pivotal 180-degree turn once Manchester City became the giants that they are nowadays. After becoming one of the most dominant and popular teams in all of international football, Manchester City went on to become one of the most popular football teams in the US. Manchester City has been perennial guests of the preseason EPL and European team tours across the US for years now, with Mancini and Balotelli’s episode in a game against the LA Galaxy, always remembered as a highlight of City’s visits to the US. Nowadays, with US goalkeeper Zach Steffen, who serves as Ederson’s backup in Man City’s first team, there’s still an American presence in the “Citizens” roster.

Jonathan Lewis is an MFF sports writer