Total Soccer Show: USMNT, Champions League, EPL, and more ... Has a relegated side ever played in the Champions League? | Listener Questions
Mar 21, 2026
A lively Q and A covering whether a relegated club has ever played in the Champions League and curious cases like Wigan and Union Berlin. Discussions about rare goalkeeper substitutions for tactical reasons and why they hardly happen. Suggestions for clubs worth supporting across Europe. A deep dive into what a minister of sport does and how governments interact with football bodies.
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No Second Division Team Has Played Champions League
- No team has played in the UEFA Champions League while in their country's second tier; near-misses happened in other European competitions instead.
- Wigan and Union Berlin made Europa/UEFA appearances while in lower divisions, and Champions League qualification mostly requires top domestic finishes or recent Europa League winners.
Fan Ownership And Community Programs Build Club Credibility
- Clubs with strong fan ownership and youth development tend to be seen as 'good guys' despite occasional scandals.
- Graham and Taylor cite Ajax and Real Betis for majority fan ownership and community initiatives like Betis' annual toy donation game.
Choose Local Or Community Focused Clubs
- If you want a less problematic club to support, prioritize local or community-focused teams and those with fan involvement.
- Joe Lowry recommends supporting local clubs or teams like Seattle Sounders that enable fan votes and strong community impact.