2025-04-29, 10:14 AM - Word count:
If anyone knows me, knows one thing, I am a sucker for a good brand in regards to sports. Soccer (or Football as it is known) is known for typically contrasting North American sports for less reliance on ‘nicknames’ and forming a crest and identity around the city, with a few exceptions. There is a feeling of “prestige” in regards to this, and now we got expansion coming up with an opportunity to create new identities, new brands, and new champions for the SSL. So I, as a newcomer who’s soccer knowledge is limited, will do my best to compile a list of countries and cities I find could be interesting locations for expansion clubs, considering strength and passion for the sport IRL along with GDP and money.
Repeats:
While this league is international, there are countries where, if in real life are any indication, have a rich passion for the game or rich pockets which can support multiple teams. Whether at differing levels or in the same league, these countries could feasibly take on another team. Though there are a few more you could make a case for.
United Kingdom:
It may not be coming home for the World Cup, but as a very casual follower of the sport from North America, the league which was the most well known to me as a Kid wasn’t the MLS, but the English Premier League. Currently we have a Minor club in Inter London, but even in real life, the city holds multiple top level clubs. There are also several teams in the league which have strong followings or dominance. Manchester’s City and United both have had periods of success, and would welcome a team in our fictional universe.
We can also look to the rest of the United Kingdom, Cardiff, Wales, Glasgow, Scotland, even Northern Island and the NOT PART OF THE UK, Ireland. There are wondrous opportunities for branding for clubs across the isles. The Dragon of the Welsh flag (Sorry Shanghai), a Unicorn for Scotland, the Lions of England, a rose, so on. There’s opportunity in the UK.
United States:
The US is not a passionate place for Soccer/Football, at least in terms of the men’s game. Their women’s team is the number one ranked in the world. But if there is one thing the US has, it is money, and strong media. I remember the ‘hype’ when David Beckham went to LA Galaxy, and recently with Messi going to Inter Miami. The game is growing there IRL. The country is wide and vast enough to where there are multiple options. The aforementioned Miami with its sunny weather and opportunity for ‘Vice’ colours, then New York City as the largest market in the country, even some passionate fanbases IRL like Atlanta, Portland, and Seattle can be great places for a club at both the major or minor level. Just please don’t let them form chants, the Americans don’t have ‘banter.’
The Academy:
To keep it brief, the four Academy teams could open and lead the way to clubs in their country. However, I doubt it. Though Australia would be a place I’d give a nod to as potentially being capable of handling multiple teams.
New Horizons:
The league though, in all likelihood, will look towards new places. Here are some places which can be great or interesting options.
Asia/Pacific:
India:
Right now the league has covered the larger population areas in the Asia region with Japan, China, and Korea, but they lack the largest as of now. India is the country with the largest population in the world right now with billions of potential supporters. Though Cricket is still the most popular sport in the country, Soccer is a high ranking one and will still have millions of potential fans. Also, imagine the Bollywood music videos hyping the team up. I also think it will be an interesting chance for branding to explore some of the culture in India and find a way to capture that on an international scale.
Africa:
Morocco:
Though the continent in real life is considered ‘poor’ in the eyes of the Western world, there is one thing Africa has and that is a passion for Soccer. Allie Bunson is currently learning that in Victoria Falls, but as of now, only two places have clubs in Africa, South Africa and Egypt. If we were to pick a place in the continent to support a club, I’ll go with Morocco. Currently they are the highest ranked African nation by FIFA IRL and they have the 5th highest GDP in the continent. Known for its vibrant nightlife, food, and I think the country has some rich culture which could be pulled from for inspiration for the club. Just be warned: If Allie goes there, she’ll stuff herself on Couscous.
Latin America:
Columbia:
While Brazil and Argentina are strong representatives of the region, and could hold other teams given the power of their nations in the sport, I’ll give Columbia the nod. They are the 14th ranked team internationally by FIFA, and Columbia has the 4th highest GDP in Latin America. I can also imagine the potential strength of the future rivalries with Sao Paulo and Bueno Aries. With them also being an expansion team, they will likely be the underdog, much like they are internationally right now with the power of Argentina and Brazil. The only concern… COLUMBIA HAS A VERY HIGH CRIME RATE, AND IS KNOWN FOR TRADING SOMETHING OTHER THAN COFFEE BEANS!
Let’s not mix in with the wrong crowd.
Europe:
Portugal:
Europe is well represented in the league, which does make sense given the population base of most users here being from Europe and North America. But one soccer (or Football) powerhouse which does not have a representative in this league is the country of Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal. They are currently 7th ranked in the world and I am already interested in the rivalry with Spanish team CF Catalunya. Though there are several other high ranked European nations which could have a team like the Netherlands, Belgium, or Croatia, Portugal still ranks high and I think the passion from that fanbase can make for a fun addition to the league.
Feel free to let me know some of your own picks for nations to potentially hold an expansion team and I thank you for listening to my Beav Talk. :)
Repeats:
While this league is international, there are countries where, if in real life are any indication, have a rich passion for the game or rich pockets which can support multiple teams. Whether at differing levels or in the same league, these countries could feasibly take on another team. Though there are a few more you could make a case for.
United Kingdom:
It may not be coming home for the World Cup, but as a very casual follower of the sport from North America, the league which was the most well known to me as a Kid wasn’t the MLS, but the English Premier League. Currently we have a Minor club in Inter London, but even in real life, the city holds multiple top level clubs. There are also several teams in the league which have strong followings or dominance. Manchester’s City and United both have had periods of success, and would welcome a team in our fictional universe.
We can also look to the rest of the United Kingdom, Cardiff, Wales, Glasgow, Scotland, even Northern Island and the NOT PART OF THE UK, Ireland. There are wondrous opportunities for branding for clubs across the isles. The Dragon of the Welsh flag (Sorry Shanghai), a Unicorn for Scotland, the Lions of England, a rose, so on. There’s opportunity in the UK.
United States:
The US is not a passionate place for Soccer/Football, at least in terms of the men’s game. Their women’s team is the number one ranked in the world. But if there is one thing the US has, it is money, and strong media. I remember the ‘hype’ when David Beckham went to LA Galaxy, and recently with Messi going to Inter Miami. The game is growing there IRL. The country is wide and vast enough to where there are multiple options. The aforementioned Miami with its sunny weather and opportunity for ‘Vice’ colours, then New York City as the largest market in the country, even some passionate fanbases IRL like Atlanta, Portland, and Seattle can be great places for a club at both the major or minor level. Just please don’t let them form chants, the Americans don’t have ‘banter.’
The Academy:
To keep it brief, the four Academy teams could open and lead the way to clubs in their country. However, I doubt it. Though Australia would be a place I’d give a nod to as potentially being capable of handling multiple teams.
New Horizons:
The league though, in all likelihood, will look towards new places. Here are some places which can be great or interesting options.
Asia/Pacific:
India:
Right now the league has covered the larger population areas in the Asia region with Japan, China, and Korea, but they lack the largest as of now. India is the country with the largest population in the world right now with billions of potential supporters. Though Cricket is still the most popular sport in the country, Soccer is a high ranking one and will still have millions of potential fans. Also, imagine the Bollywood music videos hyping the team up. I also think it will be an interesting chance for branding to explore some of the culture in India and find a way to capture that on an international scale.
Africa:
Morocco:
Though the continent in real life is considered ‘poor’ in the eyes of the Western world, there is one thing Africa has and that is a passion for Soccer. Allie Bunson is currently learning that in Victoria Falls, but as of now, only two places have clubs in Africa, South Africa and Egypt. If we were to pick a place in the continent to support a club, I’ll go with Morocco. Currently they are the highest ranked African nation by FIFA IRL and they have the 5th highest GDP in the continent. Known for its vibrant nightlife, food, and I think the country has some rich culture which could be pulled from for inspiration for the club. Just be warned: If Allie goes there, she’ll stuff herself on Couscous.
Latin America:
Columbia:
While Brazil and Argentina are strong representatives of the region, and could hold other teams given the power of their nations in the sport, I’ll give Columbia the nod. They are the 14th ranked team internationally by FIFA, and Columbia has the 4th highest GDP in Latin America. I can also imagine the potential strength of the future rivalries with Sao Paulo and Bueno Aries. With them also being an expansion team, they will likely be the underdog, much like they are internationally right now with the power of Argentina and Brazil. The only concern… COLUMBIA HAS A VERY HIGH CRIME RATE, AND IS KNOWN FOR TRADING SOMETHING OTHER THAN COFFEE BEANS!
Let’s not mix in with the wrong crowd.
Europe:
Portugal:
Europe is well represented in the league, which does make sense given the population base of most users here being from Europe and North America. But one soccer (or Football) powerhouse which does not have a representative in this league is the country of Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal. They are currently 7th ranked in the world and I am already interested in the rivalry with Spanish team CF Catalunya. Though there are several other high ranked European nations which could have a team like the Netherlands, Belgium, or Croatia, Portugal still ranks high and I think the passion from that fanbase can make for a fun addition to the league.
Feel free to let me know some of your own picks for nations to potentially hold an expansion team and I thank you for listening to my Beav Talk. :)
![[Image: Allie-Bunson-Sig.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/W4Hpr5YM/Allie-Bunson-Sig.png)
![[Image: 4q9DY7I.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4q9DY7I.png)
![[Image: sDcGmjT.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/sDcGmjT.jpeg)
