There’s no doubt that soccer is becoming increasingly more popular across the States. And with the country set to host the next FIFA World Cup in 2026, excitement is set to reach fever pitch over the coming seasons.
The recent signing of Lionel Messi by David Beckham’s Inter Miami is a sign that the sport is growing at an exponential rate and looks set to keep doing so.
So, today we have decided to look at the most popular soccer teams in America according to polls taken by fans that look at their perceptions of clubs and national teams from around the world. Let’s get right to it.
Here are the 15 most popular soccer teams in America.
15. Real Madrid
No doubt the biggest club on the planet, Spanish behemoths Real Madrid are also the most decorated soccer team in Europe.
The team known to fans as ‘Los Blancos’ have won a staggering 14 UEFA Champions League titles alongside countless La Liga and Copa Del Rey successes.
The Spanish capital has been home to some of the sport’s biggest legends over the years, players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldo Nazario, and Roberto Carlos (alongside dozens more) have all graced the field at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, delivering success at every turn.
14. New York Red Bulls
One of the largest clubs in the MLS’s Eastern Conference, the New York Red Bulls began life as the New York Metro Stars before being sold to European soft drink giants Red Bull in 2006.
The New Yorkers weren’t the only club to be bought up in this manner, though it hasn’t hindered their popularity in the years since.
The club’s best MLS performance came in 2008 when they finished as runners-up to Columbus Crew. The Bulls have enjoyed plenty of success in cup competitions however, winning the MLS Cup on two occasions as well as the Supporters’ Shield three times.
13. Chelsea FC
One of the most supported teams in the south of England, Londoners Chelsea rose from the ashes in the early 2000s after being bought by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
The Russian transformed Chelsea into a winning machine that went on to challenge the established order in the Premier League.
Chelsea is also two-time UEFA Champions League winners, taking the trophy in 2012 and 2021. Due to the war in Ukraine, Abramovich was forced to sell the club to American investor Todd Boehly who has continued the club’s vast spending.
12. Nashville SC
One of the newest members of the MLS system, Nashville SC initially played their soccer in the USL before making the step-up in 2020. They currently play their home matches in front of a 30,000-strong crowd at Geodis Park.
The club is yet to win a major honor in the MLS, though have made the playoffs in each of their first three seasons, suggesting success is in their future. Star player Hany Mukhtar is a prolific goal scorer that hit 26 goals in 2022.
11. Manchester City
The latest members of the UEFA Champions League winners club, Manchester City are arguably the greatest soccer team on the planet right now and are loved for their attacking style of play and immensely strong squad.
Super striker Erling Haaland is perhaps the best player in the world and scored a staggering number of goals last season, it would be a shock not to see him win the Ballon d’Or this year.
Pep Guardiola has built a dynasty that goes far beyond being ‘noisy neighbors’.
10. Liverpool FC
Another Premier League side that has enjoyed plenty of success in recent seasons, Liverpool FC is a historic soccer team that has always been loved in America.
Their Anfield home is a popular tourist destination for fans coming across from the States and their club anthem ‘You’ll never walk alone’ is famously sung before each match.
Current manager Jurgen Klopp delivered the club’s first Premier League title in 2021, stopping Manchester City in the process.
9. Brazil National Team
A nation with plenty of its citizens living in the US, the Brazilian national team are the greatest international soccer team in history.
The tika-taka specialists have been dazzling soccer fans for decades and are the home of some of the greatest players to ever step foot on a soccer field.
Legends such as Pele, Neymar, Ronaldo, and more have all worn the yellow and blue strip over the years and have always been loved by fans around the world.
8. Italy National Team
The current champions of Europe when it comes to international soccer, the Italian national team is vastly popular with the nations’ diaspora across the US.
There are thousands of Italian nationals living in this country, making their team very popular and their matches available to watch in most US cities.
Italy are also one of the most successful countries in the history of soccer, they have four FIFA World Cup titles to their name.
7. LA Galaxy
Back in the MLS now and the most popular club in the Western Conference. They are also one of the most successful on a continental level having won the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2000.
The Galaxy became well known in the late 2000s and early 2010s for bringing a host of European talent to the US in the form of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, and Ashley Cole.
It can be argued that the club is responsible for the growth of the sport over the past decade.
6. Mexico National Team
Given their nations’ proximity to the US, it’s hardly surprising that the Mexican squad is very well supported in this country.
They may not be as successful as some of the other countries on this list, but the Mexicans have always loved soccer and are proud of their team whenever they play at the highest level.
Mexico was eliminated at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the group stages for the first time since 1978. This marked a disappointing period for the nation.
5. Chicago Fire
Time to head back to the Eastern Conference for the fifth-placed team on our list. Chicago Fire has recently rebranded and remains loved despite the changes.
The Fire are one-time MLS Champions, winning the title in 1998. They have also taken the US Open Cup an impressive four times and the Supporters’ Shield once.
Fans of the club will remember legendary forward Hristo Stoichkov playing for the club between 2000-2002.
4. FC Barcelona
Another vastly influential club in the history of soccer, Catalan giants FC Barcelona have taken plenty of trophies back to the Nou Camp over the years but their La Masia youth system is what made them the behemoths they are today.
Responsible for producing legends such as Xavi, Iniesta, and Lionel Messi, Barcelona revolutionized soccer with their intricate play-style in the early 2010s.
Success has been fleeting in recent years, however in winning La Liga in 2023, they’re back on track.
3. Manchester United
One of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United has won 20 Premier League titles and is the most successful club in England.
Their Old Trafford fortress is another popular stadium for tourists from the US that want to experience all the Premier League has to offer.
Most Manchester United matches are aired in the US and fans across the country often support them alongside their local MLS club.
2. USMNT
In the past fans could be forgiven for not really caring about the US Men’s National Team as they repeatedly fell short of expectations at major tournaments, however in recent years they have stepped up and are performing admirably.
In holding England to a draw at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they raised hopes for the future.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the country, with hopes of a challenge for the trophy growing with each passing season. It would be some feat if they were to pull it off.
1. USWNT
While the men are still building towards major success, the women have been doing it for years already. Easily the most talented women’s team in the world for the past decade, the US has won the women’s World Cup four times and finished as runners-up once.
Aside from the World Cup, the women have also won the Olympic tournament on four occasions and the CONCACAF Championships five times. They will face a challenge to defend their World Cup crown this year however as England continues to improve.
The US is the only country where the women’s team is more popular than the men’s national team.