View Full Version : Hislop: USA faces its own club v country debate
Scotty
12 Sep 2008, 02:44 PM
USA faces its own club v country debate
I just witnessed the US national team crush Trinidad and Tobago in a World Cup Qualifier at Toyota Park. The 3-0 scoreline was actually very flattering to T&T. Whereas last week I gushed about Joe Public's performance in the Concacaf Champions League qualifier, I have to walk away from this one with my red, white and black tail tucked between my legs, without so much as an excuse. At least New England have legitimate reasons for their decline in fortunes of late.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/sep/12/majorleaguesoccer.ussport
appoo
12 Sep 2008, 03:24 PM
I'm officially a fan of Shaka Hislop. What a fantastic column
fire428
12 Sep 2008, 03:26 PM
who cares what this guy says.
drew_VT_6
12 Sep 2008, 03:31 PM
I gotta say I enjoyed his comments in the booth the other night. It wasn't watered down bs that we usually get. It was technical information relating to how the game was being played and should be played by either team.
Marko72
12 Sep 2008, 09:54 PM
I gotta say I enjoyed his comments in the booth the other night. It wasn't watered down bs that we usually get. It was technical information relating to how the game was being played and should be played by either team.
Agreed. This stuff... not bad either. He's growing on me, I must admit.
(Re: his appearance on the telecast, I'd say that was a savvy move picking the right guy to talk about the right team. I'm not sure that's a formula I'd want more of, though, in general. I'm not sure as sure that listening to, say, Cuauhtemoc Blanco during a Mexico game in the Hex would be as entertaining.)
Barcasox
12 Sep 2008, 09:56 PM
John Harkes is jealous of his analysing skill :)
Marko72
12 Sep 2008, 10:05 PM
John Harkes is jealous of his analysing skill :)
Absolutely. I watched the game in a loud and crowded soccer bar (as I usually do except when I see a DVR'd match) and couldn't hear most of the commentary, but what I could hear, and Hislop's accent made that part easy enough, was better analysis than I think I've ever heard on a USMNT telecast, must admit.
USAin2006
12 Sep 2008, 10:16 PM
Good column, but neglects to mention Kenny Cooper. What does this guy need to do to get selected (though his partnership with Cunningham hasn't been so fruitful). I also agree that Alvarez deserves a look (though not so sure about Marshall).
DaPrince84
12 Sep 2008, 11:19 PM
John Harkes is jealous of his analysing skill :)
its actually true, lol..
Shaka was great in the booth... outshined everyone there... knew the game well, commented on technical stuff... even got an Eddie Johnson dig in (saying he was brought on to be active, and he didnt look up for it)... ESPN should hire him
Barcasox
12 Sep 2008, 11:26 PM
Absolutely. I watched the game in a loud and crowded soccer bar (as I usually do except when I see a DVR'd match) and couldn't hear most of the commentary, but what I could hear, and Hislop's accent made that part easy enough, was better analysis than I think I've ever heard on a USMNT telecast, must admit.
its actually true, lol..
Shaka was great in the booth... outshined everyone there... knew the game well, commented on technical stuff... even got an Eddie Johnson dig in (saying he was brought on to be active, and he didnt look up for it)... ESPN should hire him
ya, i hadn't seen him in the broadcast booth before, and he actually analysed instead of "ya i agree " or "it is a goal kick" He also tried his best to make them shut up for some time, but it didn't work.
narko
12 Sep 2008, 11:31 PM
ESPN should hire him
They did.
Shaka does a lot of television work for ESPN... just not a lot of American television.
DaPrince84
12 Sep 2008, 11:35 PM
They did.
Shaka does a lot of television work for ESPN... just not a lot of American television.
well I mean for ESPN America...
FnordUnitedFC
13 Sep 2008, 04:59 AM
I'm officially a fan of Shaka Hislop. What a fantastic column
It definitely has the tone and demeanor of someone who actually played football and understand it rather than just blabs about useless crap.
That, in itself, is a rarity in American soccer journalism (looking at you Ives and Trecker).
ty webb
13 Sep 2008, 08:22 AM
I gotta say I enjoyed his comments in the booth the other night. It wasn't watered down bs that we usually get. It was technical information relating to how the game was being played and should be played by either team.
Hislop was fabulous in the booth. I wish ESPN would hire him to do our matches.
His technical knowledge of the game was great. We have rarely had that sort of commentary.
He and Wynalda would be my dream team. Telling it like it is, with no sugar coating stupid mistakes.