Give Tommy Smyth a shot at NATS

[red lass]

I think after reading Tommy Smyths chat , that he deserves a shot at a NATS game. He did very well during the World Cup. The non soccer people who I knew loved him. Tommy got a lot of air, and face time , and won lots of new fans. He could be the one to help the ratings grow. The US has friendlys coming up, what could ESPN lose by giving him a game or two. Its not like he does not know the game. I say forget the accent, give the old onion bag a shot.

[Wolves_67]

I saw that he also said in the chat that it was one of his dreams to do the nats.
I'd like to hear Clint put a bulge in the ol' onion bag.

[thurd]

he was the guy who they had on PTI before the world cup? if so hes a funny guy

[afgrijselijkheid]

couldnt agree more

[asdf]

Couldn't agree less. He always rips the US team and their quality of player.

I love the Irish and am even an Irish citizen but we need US born announcers (as well as coaches, refs, administrators, heck mascots too) in order to improve our game domestically.

[Rocket]

Originally posted by asdf
I love the Irish and am even an Irish citizen but we need US born announcers (as well as coaches, refs, administrators, heck mascots too) in order to improve our game domestically.
What does the nationality of an announcer have to do with improving soccer in America?

The goal should be to get ratings up, and the key to doing that is to hire top-caliber broadcast talent.

I happen to think Lalas would do an excellent job, but Smyth would be a great choice as well. I don't know what it is about Keough, but he justs lacks that extra something that makes for an excellent announcer.

In my opinion, the quality of announcing has its biggest effect on the ratings of moderately interesting matches.

About anyone could announce a great game and people would stay tuned. And about anyone could announce a dreadfully dull long-ball match and most everyone but the most die-hard would change the channel.

But for the vast majority of games that are moderately interesting -- well that's where a great announcer can keep folks tuned in, while a so-so announcer may find some of his audience channel surfing to see if something better's on.

[Wolves_67]

Jack Edwards had lots of enthusiasm which was good for US Soccer. Tommy Smyth has both enthusiam and good soccer knowledge which was something Edwards was a bit short on.
I hope Tommy gets a shot at it.

[MLSNHTOWN]

Originally posted by asdf
Couldn't agree less. He always rips the US team and their quality of player.



I have to agree with you. He is not the USMNT biggest fan. That being said, some of the things that he rips them on in my mind is relatively justified. He was screaming well pretty much all throughout the Cup that the Irish left back (plays for leeds, completely drawing a blank right now) will get exposed for being sub par from the rest of the team. He was.

I think he is just calling it how he sees it. He constantly refers to the need of the USMNT to improve. I couldn't agree more.

Give the ol' onion bag a shot.

[Wolves_67]

Originally posted by MLSNHTOWN

I think he is just calling it how he sees it. He constantly refers to the need of the USMNT to improve. I couldn't agree more.

Give the ol' onion bag a shot.
Kinda like a soccer version of Howard Cosell and we all know that any sport that Howard worked with improved in it's national standing and public interest.
Not saying that Tommy would have that kind of impact but any straight from the hip, calls it like he sees it character could be a help.

[Red Devil11]

Tommy Smyth shoots from the hip.Dont ever think that he will be a cheerleader, that will never happen. Did you hear him , on the Roy Keane , Mick mc Carty affair. Tommy ripped the two of them.I think its great he rips players , and knows why he does it. OK he is not righ 100% of the time , but he has great insight.As someone already said, he had a real go at Ian Harte, but he was right Harte was terrible at the WC.
I think its very small minded , to say dont give the guy the job, because he has an Irish accent. To me thats the reason we never heard him get a chance. I think the people involved should think again, in my mind Smyth deserves a chance to do some games.

[MikeLastort2]

I think it's time we finally handed the mic over to Brent Mussberger. He's awesome.

[cpwilson80]

I always feel like I get two games when Tommy Smyth makes the call: the one I'm watching and the one he's calling. In the Champions League, Mike Hill is the one doing the play by play, while Tommy is the color guy.

We have a pretty good announcer in JP Dellacamera. I like Tommy in the studio as a pre-game/half time guy, but I wouldn't want him calling the entire match.

[ShadowNC]

Put JP and Tommy in there and I don't think I'd have any complaints at all.

[Soccerholic]

I'd love to see JP and Tommy call a Nats match.

[pupusa3000]

Call me crazy, but I always wondered what it would be like to have Andres Cantor call an MLS game in english. I know that he called the Olympics with Lalas, but if remember correctly most people didn't agree with it. But if he got a couple MLS games under his belt, I'm sure he could be pretty good. Imagine the excitement and emotion he could put into a game with his patented goal calls.

[MD_05]

TAB RAMOS
he knows plenty about soccer, has no English accent, and is an identifiable(sp?) figure to soccer people. I never knew he had any interest to call games in the booth, but Jeff Bradley mentioned his name in his article, so there must be some interest. I think this gut deserves a shot, not to mention he's one of my favorite players all-time :)

[skipshady]

Originally posted by MD_05
he knows plenty about soccer, has no English accent, and is an identifiable(sp?) figure to soccer people. You can say exactly the same about Tommy. :p

[Kaiser]

Come on, how great was it when Jackie Stewart announced auto racing back in the day? That was the best!

[RobtheAggie]

I love it when he does th CL games. It is great to hear guys who make moe than the combined USMNT get ripped. Cantor's emotion did not work well in English. Hispanic radio announcers can make opening a can of paint sound exciting. For some reason Cantor and English broadcasts did not work out. If anyone has a copy of the Olympic games, watch them, and you will see what I mean.

[eric515]

Originally posted by MD_05
TAB RAMOS
he knows plenty about soccer, has no English accent, and is an identifiable(sp?) figure to soccer people...

Exactly...to SOCCER people. IMO, having a guy like Tommy Smyth in the booth will expand your audience, just because people find him entertaining. No middle of the road fan is going to tune in to see what Tab has to say, I hate to break it to you. Think of it like Dick Vitale...how much is he identified with College hoops?? Even Bill Raftery to a lesser extent...or John Madden with the NFL. Play-by-play guys are so supposed to be accurate, eloquent, and give you the facts...color analysts need to colorfull...Tommy is that.

I always felt Tommy and JP would be the most explosive combo...