Forget about the Cameron Crazies—there is another team American fans are going crazy for.

Spain’s FC Barcelona soccer team has built a fan base in the United States over the years as it has developed its powerhouse reputation in Europe. The team includes internationally known soccer superstars such as Lionel Messi and David Villa.

Despite having the MLS, international soccer is drawing more attention from American soccer fans. FOX even played the championship match between Manchester United and Barca, a popular nickname for the team. Barca took home the championship title in the UEFA Super Cup.

Barca’s domination in the international soccer world could be the reason why many Americans are choosing to follow the team. UNCW junior Marty Simpkins, who is a Barcelona fan, said that if he can’t find a local team, he usually roots for the team that is the best. Once he saw Barca beat Manchester United, another internationally loved team, he said he “thought Barcelona was good.”

“We always want to go for the best team; that’s America’s mindset,” said Simpkins. “Americans love the No. 1 team.”

For UNCW senior Thor Morgan, it wasn’t just Barcelona’s top status that made him a Barca fan. It was seeing Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho no longer plays for Barcelona, but “watching him play was what sparked my interest in soccer in general,” said Morgan. “He was a player for Barca when he was at his peak and his playing style was unlike any other.”

The culture of the city of Barcelona also drew Morgan in as a fan.

“As I began to learn more about the sport and the club, it was Barcelona’s philosophy and culture that really made me become a true Barca fan,” said Morgan. “People live, breath and die FCB in Barcelona and they have the most passionate fans you’ll see in the world.”

Still, there is the idea that Americans only support the team because of their victories.

“In recent years, Barca has become almost the unanimous choice as the greatest team in the world, and some argue the greatest in history,” said Morgan. “So, I think many of the fans in America who have suddenly become proclaimed Barca fans have that ‘bandwagon’ attitude.”

Soccer is a popular world sport, and becomes a part of the culture of a city. Senior Leti Soler, who is studying abroad at UNCW from Spain, is a Valencia fan because that is where she is from. She frequently watches soccer with her father, who is a Barca fan, because he is from Barcelona.

“This is just the way it’s always been,” said Soler on soccer in Spain. “It is a cultural thing.”

Since America tends to focus more on other sports like football, baseball and basketball, there isn’t much coverage of soccer games. Both Simpkins and Morgan use the internet and phone applications to keep up with Barca.

Although there is no place where all Barcelona fans can get together in Wilmington, Morgan said that there are a few pubs and bars downtown that will show the matches.

Gradual interest in soccer from Americans could be because of the US men’s team advancing further in the 2010 World Cup and the recent success of the women’s team generated from their journey to the championship game against Japan. They lost, but their success sparked more interest in the team.