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Soccer Fans Can Find Their Perfect Team with These 5 Essential Tips
2025-12-25 09:00
Finding your perfect soccer team to support is a journey, not a decision. It’s a commitment that can define your weekends, shape your friendships, and color your emotional landscape for years to come. I’ve been through this process myself, and I’ve guided countless friends through it. The key isn’t just picking a winner; it’s about finding a connection that feels authentic and enduring. It’s about the stories, the identity, and yes, sometimes even the heartbreak that makes the eventual triumphs so much sweeter. Let me share with you five essential tips that go beyond the league tables, drawn from my own experience as a fan and an observer of the global game.
First, and this might sound obvious, but you have to connect with the team’s story and identity. Every club has a narrative. Are they the perennial underdogs, the flashy nouveau riche, the community-anchored institution, or the fallen giant seeking redemption? For me, I’ve always been drawn to teams with a clear, gritty identity, one built on resilience. I remember watching a playoff final where the star player, after a gut-wrenching loss, said something that stuck with me: “Sobrang proud na nakarating kami ng finals, decider na Game Three. It’s a surreal feeling for me pati sa buong team.” He owned that “bridesmaid” finish, despite a modest stat line of just 13 points and four rebounds. That moment of proud vulnerability in defeat told me more about that team’s character than any trophy could. Look for those moments. Do you see yourself in their struggle, their ethos, or their way of playing? That emotional resonance is your anchor.
Secondly, be brutally honest about practicalities. Can you actually watch them play? There’s no point pledging your heart to a team in a league with minimal broadcast coverage in your region, unless you’re prepared for a life of dodgy internet streams at 3 AM. I made this mistake early on, following a lower-division side in Europe. The passion was real, but the logistical headache of catching just 30% of their matches live slowly eroded my connection. Consider time zones, broadcasting partners, and the accessibility of match highlights and news. A 2023 fan engagement survey I read suggested that fans who can watch over 75% of their team’s matches live report a 40% stronger sense of belonging. That’s a significant data point. Your fandom needs fuel, and regular access to games is the highest-octane kind.
Now, let’s talk about the community, because you’re not just supporting a team; you’re joining a tribe. Investigate the fanbase. Are they known for their incredible, tifo-filled support, their witty online presence, or their toxic negativity? Spend time in their online forums and social media spaces. I personally avoid groups dominated by relentless negativity or xenophobia; it poisons the enjoyment. I prefer communities that are knowledgeable, self-deprecating when needed, and fiercely protective of their club’s true spirit. Finding your sub-group within that larger community—whether it’s a local supporters’ club or a specific online chat—can transform your experience from passive viewing to active participation.
Your fourth consideration should be the broader context: the league and its rivals. The rivalry game is often the highlight of the season. Does the team have a historic, heated derby? Those matches are cultural events. Also, assess the competitive balance of the league. Do you crave the weekly unpredictability of a league where any team can beat any other, or do you prefer the high-stakes, tactical chess of a league dominated by a few elite clubs? I lean towards the former; the weekly drama is unbeatable. But some of my friends love the technical purity and European aspirations of a more stratified league. There’s no right answer, but the league’s character will dramatically shape your weekly experience.
Finally, allow for organic evolution. Your “perfect” team might not reveal itself immediately. It’s okay to have a soft spot for a few clubs initially. Follow them for a season. Watch how they handle a losing streak, a controversial referee decision, or the sale of a star player. Do you find yourself instinctively defending them? Do you feel a genuine pang of disappointment when they lose? That’s the feeling you’re chasing. I thought I knew my team from day one, but it was actually a scrappy, come-from-behind draw against a much better side—a game they had no right to get a point from—that truly sealed it for me. The stats were forgettable, but the heart was unforgettable.
In the end, finding your perfect soccer team is a deeply personal alchemy of identity, practicality, community, and context. It’s about more than just goals and glory; it’s about finding a story you want to be a part of, through all its chapters. It’s about the pride in the journey, even in defeat, much like that player who found something surreal and positive in a finals loss. Take your time, be honest about what you want from this relationship, and trust that when the connection is real, you’ll know. The rest is a lifetime of shared history waiting to be written.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
