Forgive me if this has been discussed before but I haven't seen it on the boards before. Since i've moved out to the west coast yesterday was the first time i've gotten to see United on the Comcast feed. Thank god for MLSNET.COM!!!! Anyway, is anyone else impressed with how good Harkes is on the broadcast? I'm also impressed on how good of a coach he must be, it really comes out while he's commenting on the game. Plus Johnson and Harkes seem to really click in a way that Johnson and Rongen didn't. I'm also pretty impressed with Johnson's knowledge about some of the Crew players. If there was any justice Waldo would soon get replaced by Harkes. Though that would mean he'd probably have to leave his United job.
Watched the replay today and was impressed with Johnson and Harkes. Look forward to hearing them call more games. Anything's better than Wynalda's inane ramblings.
C0L0R C0MM3NT4T0R F0R L1F3!!!!!!11 Seriously, though, I agree about Comcast's commentators; I was just thinking earlier today how much more I enjoy their commentary than Stone/Wynalda or Bretos/Hopkins.
Yes, Bretos/Hopkins is painful. If given a choice between watching a game on Fox Sports Espanol and FSC, I'll take FSE every time despite my minimal Spanish skills. On the other hand, I really don't mind Stone/Waldo. They love the game, and that's usually enough for me. I have also always liked Harkes, and I am pretty unhappy that FSC cut him out of the MLS Wrap. He surprised me with how comfortable he is with the camera, not an easy trick for a jock. If I can get Harksie on games instead, fair trade. BTW, I pulled out my Vasco VCR last night. I forgot how much I miss Gordon Bradley.
I like the Comcast crew as well. Although he really needs a better goal call! "Its in the net! Its in the net! Its in the net!" doesnt do it for me, hehe.
Also, gotta give Johnson credit for working the Wizards game Fri. night, then the DC United game Sat night, and now (Sun. afternoon) down in Miami for the WIz again.
I would enjoy the three stooges more than I enjoy Bretos/Hopkins, particularly Bretos. Gawd, I wish he'd shut up.
I guess something is wrong with me, but I actually like Bretos. Anyway, I really thought the Comcast broadcast was well done. Dave Johnson is able to do all of the broadcasts because he gets a good night's sleep on his "sleep-number" bed. Harkes is a natural behind the mic. I was suprised there was a sideline reporter. Even though I despise the in-game coach interviews. For some reason, it didn't seem as akward or an interuption when this guy talked to Nowak. Also, they had good camera angles, and got to see the fans in the quiet side of RFK for once.
probably because the guy they used (Thaler) is an experienced sports reporter, and not some former player pretending to be a reporter. The former player angle admittedly works sometimes (Lynn Swann is a great sideline reporter for NFL games, and Tony Siragusa is very amusing in his sideline segments) but is often far more annoying than useful.
I wasn't a fan of Harkes on MLS Wrap, but watching the replay on MLSNet.com I also agree, he's great as a color commentator. For some reason all those coaching tips seem more apropos in the course of the game as opposed to on a highlight show. Can't explain. How 'bout for MLS Cup you get both Hudson and Harkes with Johnson on play-by-play.
At least Bretos can be entertaining. Hopkins seems to be fighting his way through his own sentences half the time.
I thought they did a good job, but they do need to work on their timing, something that will (or better) come as the season wears on.
Part of that is because Rongen isn't as good on TV as Harkesy is, and part of it is that Johnson and Harkes have more history together. The two of them hosted the weekly show "Soccer Sweep" on NewsChannel 8 back in the 1997 season.
I thought they were good too. But I guess that won't be all season once Harkes is gone with the U20s. Harkes' insights were good and not just coach-speak cliches. Nowak didn't seem to be as annoyed talking to Russ as he does when it's the ESPN yahoos. Bretos and Hopkins used to annoy the crap out of me, but now they just amuse me. They are the biggest homers in the world, so it's funny to listen to their distorted view of reality. They do seem to be enjoying themselves though.
This really is the best way to listen to those two. Try and understand what they're talking about, and it annoys the living hell outta ya. But keep your own running commentary in your head, and pretend they're just a couple dudes talking behind you in the stadium, and it's hilarious. Bretos can bring out the insane in anybody. Loved Harkesy on Comcast, easy-going and natural commentary. Made a great game for us even better. I totally agree with whoever said upthread (eta: todda74) he seems like a great coach.
that's the first Beavis and Buttthead reference I've heard in 10 years. Harksie would be a great color guy if he wanted to be. He could be like the John McEnroe of Soccer... ie- a funny guy with loads of big-time experience.
I'll give Bretos and Hopkins two things: 1. They show some passion for the game and calling it. They may get annoying, but you can't say they're boring. 2. Listening to them suck Galaxy schlong during the whole game can be so ridiculous that it actually becomes funny. Like in the game last night how Hopkins thought that the PK call against the Galaxy was embellished. On topic...Johnson and Harkes are a great combo. Just another aspect of the entire DC United package that fans are blessed with. ITS IN THE NET!! GOOAALL DC UNITED!