How to choose your favorite MLS club after the Copa ends

May 8, 2016; Carson, CA, USA; LLos Angeles Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget (17), New England Revolution forward Diego Fagundez (14) and Galaxy defender A. J. DeLaGarza (20) battle for the ball in the first half at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2016; Carson, CA, USA; LLos Angeles Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget (17), New England Revolution forward Diego Fagundez (14) and Galaxy defender A. J. DeLaGarza (20) battle for the ball in the first half at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 2, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; FC Dallas fans cheer prior to game against the Houston Dynamo at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; FC Dallas fans cheer prior to game against the Houston Dynamo at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Support your hometown club

It’s almost an unwritten rule in sports to select your favorite team by current location or birthplace. Being a supporter of a club from a distance is not the easiest thing to do, and you don’t truly get a full fan experience without being in the club’s city.

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As a hometown supporter, you are far more likely to bump into fellow fans of your side, and it’s a blast to be welcomed into the local supporters culture. If you are a fan of another one of your city’s sports teams, there also may be rivalries with cities that carry over from that sport to MLS, which is always a good time.

The main drawback of the local approach is lack of free choice. You may hate the team’s play style. They may have a player, or two, you find you can’t stand. Or, as a Northeast Ohio native Cleveland Browns fan I know this one best personally, your city’s team may stink. While this may make the victory or team success sweeter when it occurs, it may never occur, or you may get fed up before reaping those rewards.

The local approach is certainly the most common in American sports, and one of loyalty. It’s especially enjoyable for the camaraderie among your fellow residents.

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