So we just put out the top 70 Most Investable Clubs in the country, our list of the best amateur sides deserving of investment and… we should probably explain some things.

As an introduction, allow me to recap the method. When we saw the original twitter post that sparked this whole conversation, we thought it would be fun to build a list of clubs. The problem was, how to do it? The first step was building a master list of clubs to work from, so we literally got together (online) and threw names into a document. When we paused, we had over 100 clubs on the list. Our goal had been 50. So we needed to narrow them down. One of our staff writers trimmed the list down to 70. At that point, we created a ranking system and used a 10 point scale on a variety of categories. Five writers, including myself, ranked the clubs independently. That’s how the list was made.

I am not arguing it’s a perfect system. But some of the proposals we had seen online were just not feasible and were predicated on information that would be impossible to collect or collate. We wanted a working system that would generate a worthy list. And, if I’m honest, I think the system worked for the most part. I think the list is relatively complete and constructed in such a way that makes sense and is defendable. The issues is the human element.

When we built the list, it was a set of six people sitting around a virtual table tossing names out. As the old phrase goes, shit happens. So allow me to right the wrong done to two clubs definitely deserving mention, who, if I’m honest, we simply neglected to include.

FC Buffalo

FC Buffalo has been a member of the NPSL for over 10 years now and, at this point, is a cornerstone of the league. While the team has struggled to achieve success on the field, FCB has excelled at building a professional image that outshines their fellow NPSL sides. The club’s Twitter follower count is double and triple the average NPSL club account, with over 7,000. Paired with another 5,500 followers on Facebook, FCB has mastered the art of social media and is leveraging it to gain even more fans from around the world.

Speaking of around the world, FC Buffalo has also partnered with international clubs for some big name friendlies. That list of clubs includes Monarcas Morelias and FC St. Pauli, famed Bundesliga2 side. FCB even made a trip to Germany in partnership with several German clubs, becoming the first NPSL side to ever play a match in Europe. Creating relationships that extend well beyond the country’s borders speak to a level of leadership and vision most clubs simply don’t have.

It is an easy mistake to make, but one shouldn’t overlook that Buffalo as a growing soccer hotbed. The area is soccer heavy and has been for years. The Buffalo District Soccer League was founded in 2008 and now features close to 80 teams across 6 divisions. There is a ton of soccer talent in Buffalo, matched with interest in the game. FC Buffalo is situated in a market ready for a key investor to rapidly grow the club into a regional powerhouse.

Muskegon Risers

This club was a recent addition to NPSL, after several years of indoor soccer, so I don’t feel AS bad about forgetting them. However, after reading the Twitter posts of Darby Sagala, we have to admit they have a point. In fact, here’s the pertinent Muskegon Risers facts from those tweets:

Men's & women's indoor & outdoor teams
Large social media presence despite relative size(see below)
5000 cap stadium, natural grass(rare in MI) -4000 cap indoor arena with a 10 year lease
Year round operation w/ physical shop & office
Greater attendance than the large majority of clubs listed
City government has invested in the club to the tune of putting 30k into their indoor arena to accommodate the club
A banner hangs on the arena outdoors facing a highway w/ club logo on the arena year round
Active SG

Darby even included the one knock on the club. “Readily, the only knock is market size. Even though thr[sic] Risers draw well there is tremendous potential to do more. Minor league hockey used to draw 3k here.”

Fair enough, Darby. We should have included Muskegon Risers.

This is the last I’ll write about this list because 1. it’s easy to make mistakes and there’s probably other clubs that could make great arguments 2. it was a fool’s errand as no one is happy except MPLS City and 3. it was a ton of hard work. So to all the clubs we wrote about or didn’t, we think you’re worth investing in, that’s why we keep covering this sport without any paychecks. Keep up the amazing work and we’ll keep following you.

And to any investor out there - a business owner, a trust fund baby, a retired millionaire, a tech mogul, a social media influencer - American soccer deserves some attention. There are so many clubs that deserve consideration and, hopefully, some cash. Maybe if we sunk some money into soccer, we could finally start seeing a return on all the hard work.

- Dan Vaughn