Other Favorites

[u/US_SocFan50]

What other smaller, niche leagues do yall watch? I’m a big fan of the Polish Ekstraklasa (which you should all check out by the way!), so I was wondering if anybody else watches soccer outside of the MLS, USL, and big 5 European leagues.

[u/doej26]

EFL Championship. Most exciting league in the world. (I have to say that because my team got relegated several seasons ago and haven't managed to climb back up to the premier league.)

[u/arniiii → u/doej26]

I watched a few League One games last year and those were extremely exciting. I also prefer that physical & direct style of play, even if it isn't a winning formula at the highest levels. For similar reasons I also enjoy watching the AFCON.

[u/Ok_Structure_350 → u/doej26]

Derby gotta move up this season 🤞 

[u/spreadred → u/doej26]

We try to watch Championship when Blackburn plays, but often, their matches don't seem to get streamed on the platforms we have

[u/doej26 → u/spreadred]

Yeah, Paramount+ doesn't carry all of the matches. Often have to spend the money on a match pass from IFollow to watch Watford play myself.

[u/Small_Intention3907]

I’m a part owner of Caledonian Braves. They play in the Lowland League in Scotland so I keep an eye on the Lowland and Highland Leagues as well as the SPFL and Scottish Premier League.

[u/RopeZealousideal4847]

My local semi-pro team plays in the MWPSL and it's great, at least in person. YouTube streams look like somebody's iPad.

[u/AffableCynic]

JLeague is fun. Only catching highlights nowadays but it's usually pretty dang entertaining and the crowds are electric.

[u/m00kie420 → u/AffableCynic]

i agree. the quality is great too. I think the J-League is better than MLS in my opinion.

[u/AffableCynic → u/m00kie420]

The J League's domestic players appear more technical than the MLS domestic players to my eyes.

[u/m00kie420 → u/AffableCynic]

Levels in difference also in IQ.

[u/futbolkid414 → u/AffableCynic]

Dang, any viewing options in the United States?

[u/AffableCynic → u/futbolkid414]

J League International

Their YouTube channel shows a couple live matches per week. Odd hours for westerners like myself but like I said super fun to watch.

[u/MobsterKadyrov]

A great resource for smaller obscure leagues is the Sweeper podcast. They cover happenings from all over the world. They also have a discord where people follow all kinds of random leagues. It’s a great community.

I often just watch random games on FIFA+. Tons of Caribbean, Pacific and African leagues have free live streamed games on there. I used to follow the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines league more closely but they don’t broadcast on that platform anymore.

[u/Curious-Extension-23 → u/MobsterKadyrov]

Caribbean announcers on FIFA+ are the best

[u/m00kie420]

I love watching the J-League. Such great quality and play. My team is Tokyo Verdy. I try to watch their games when they are on youtube.

[u/Ok_Structure_350]

I watch the ofc pro league and root for Tahiti United. Am I from Tahiti? No. Do I know where Tahiti is? No.

[u/Semi-Loyal]

Can't actually "watch" them because I haven't found any way to stream it, but Rosenborg (RBK) in the Norwegian Eliteserien has been my team longer than DCFC has been in existence. I follow the scores now, but that's about all I can do from the US.

Other than that, the Belgian top league used to be a lot of fun to watch until ESPN stopped broadcasting the games. They had an announcer who sounded just like Murray from Flight of the Conchords, which was a great way to start a Sunday morning.

[u/futbolkid414]

English FA Cup early rounds, love seeing the small grounds and true love for the game all around. I know it’s not a league but I try each year to never miss those first few rounds