Who are they: Nevermind the absolutely ridiculous logo, FFC Frankfurt has been the single most dominant team in the Frauenbundesliga era. Since the league’s inception 13 years ago, FFC Frankfurt has collected eight league titles and seven DFB-Pokal Cups. In that time the team has finished outside the top two just three times and has never finished lower than 4th. The team has recently been eclipsed by staunch rivals (and foils) Turbine Potsdam.

The two clubs have perhaps the best rivalry in all of women’s club football. Beyond the football, their opposing philosophies are also pretty interesting. Both teams are the richest in the league but Frankfurt (the Western fat cats) prefer to buy their players while Potsdam (still rooted in Eastern socialist ideals) firmly believe in developing its own future stars. There’s also an unspoken “no-poaching” agreement between the teams although several players have broken this recently. It’s kind of the feminine, German interpretation of the Old Firm/El Clasico/Merseyside Derby all rolled into one.

Men’s affiliation: Nope.

Where were they last year: 3rd in the Frauenbundesliga.

Notable names: Every single name is notable, really. This is the club of Birgit Prinz, Kerstin Garafrekes, Ariana Hingst, Conny Pohlers, Saskia Bartusiak, Nadine Angerer and USWNT rightback Ali Krieger. Krieger joins fellow American Gina Lewandoski in defense. Sweden’s excellent holding midfielder Sara Thunebro also plies her trade there. Longtime Bayern Munich and German international Melanie Behringer will be joining FFC Frankfurt this season, alongside former Sky Blue FC’er Jessica Landstrom. And who says the club doesn’t have youth players? U-20 WWC winners Dzsenifer Morazsan, Svenja Huth and Valerie Kleiner play at the club now and as in the Frankfurt way, both Morazsan and Kleiner were purchased.

Where will they finish: Frankfurt lost both Petra Wimbersky and Leni Laursen Kaurin during the offseason. Can they challenge the likes of Turbine Potsdam or Duisburg, even with that offensive amount of talent? Another 3rd place finish is realistic.

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