Los Angeles Galaxy Dominates MLS Facebook Likes by State

The Major League Soccer season kicks off with a Sunday-night doubleheader, and Facebook teamed up with Fox Soccer to study which clubs have the most likes in which areas of the U.S. and Canada. Facebook pointed out in a Sports on Facebook post: Each state and territory is color-coded based on which official team page has the most Facebook likes from people who live in those areas. At first glance, you might notice that the Galaxy logo stretches far and wide. The Los Angeles team has a Facebook fan base spanning 15 U.S. states across the southwest, southeast and near the Great Lakes. And Fox Soccer went into more detail, with a specific focus on California and Texas: As expected, there is a strong regional flavor to the distribution, with teams performing well in their local areas. There are two teams, however, with significant backing over an expansive amount of territory in the U.S. MLS Cup holders LA Galaxy are the favorite team in 15 states, more than any other team. In addition to its expected superiority in the Southwest, the Galaxy also performed well in the Southeast (a clean sweep from North Carolina through Louisiana) and the Upper Midwest (Michigan and Minnesota). The extent of its support largely stems from the inroads made during the David Beckham era. Seattle finishes second in the rankings among American teams by placing first in seven states. Sounders FC earns the top spot in Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, in addition to its home state of Washington. Alaska and Hawaii both fell into the “Rave Green” column, too. Canada is split along regional lines. Toronto FC dominates in the eastern half of the country and maintains support all the way through Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Vancouver Whitecaps FC picks up its support in Alberta and sustains its backing in its home province of British Columbia. The Montreal Impact -- oddly enough -- does not claim superiority in Quebec based on the available data. Montreal is one of three teams omitted from the map entirely. Chivas USA and the San Jose Earthquakes are also ruled out by the superiority of the Galaxy in California. Sacramento Republic FC continues to cultivate a fan base capable of pressing for inclusion in MLS somewhere down the line. Its base of support starts in the state capital and spreads through a large portion of Northern California. San Jose’s county-by-county support essentially surrounds the Republic along the coast and toward the border with Oregon. The border war in Southern California revolves around the pitched battle between the Galaxy and Club Tijuana. For the moment, the Galaxy holds the edge. The MLS side maintains its advantage through most of the area, particularly in the inland areas. Tijuana is restricted in its support to the two counties along the Mexican border, though it is worth noting that the Xolos have made considerable strides in the overall depth of their support in recent years. Chivas USA manages to carve out just two countries in the middle of the state as its home base. It is little wonder then why the club folded at the end of last season. Los Angeles FC faces a difficult task to make incursions into Galaxy territory and carve out a slice of territory to call its own. Three teams vie for supremacy in the Lone Star State: FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo and North American Soccer League side San Antonio Scorpions. FCD benefits from its longevity to occupy the most area in the state. The expected stronghold in the Dallas area extends through much of northern Texas, though there are several counties without the necessary amount of data to register a preference. Houston generates considerable support in the metropolitan Houston area and reaches all the way down into the southern tip of the state. San Antonio musters an advantage in its own market, but its room for growth is constrained by the proximity of Dallas to the north and Houston to the east. The season-opening doubleheader Sunday features New York Red Bulls at Sporting KC at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the New England Revolution visiting Seattle at 9:30 p.m., with both matches airing on Fox Sports 1. Readers: Do you follow MLS?

Social Pro Daily

Los Angeles Galaxy Dominates MLS Facebook Likes by State

The Major League Soccer season kicks off with a Sunday-night doubleheader, and Facebook teamed up with Fox Soccer to study which clubs have the most likes in which areas of the U.S. and Canada.

David Cohen

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David Cohen