I realize I am setting myself up for a scathing here, but I really enjoyed JP's PBP in the MLS Cup. He focused on the game, and remained objective and analytical in his commentary. He was not overly emotional, did not digress into a wide array of tangents that had little or nothing to do with the game on the field, and refrained from using canned and annoying phrases. Ty, on the other hand, continues to bug. His analysis does nothing to add value to the broadcast, IMO. Maybe the chemistry between the two isn't there yet, but I just don't find Ty's commentary to be at all insightful, and it seems like the flow of the broadcast hits a speed bump whenever Ty opens his mouth. Still, IMO, I think the overall quality of the commentating is a step up from Jack and Ty. Maybe JP and Ty can develop a better chemistry and start working off the same page, but given Ty's failure with either Phil Schoen or Jack Edwards, I am not betting on it. Just my thoughts.
The reason I think JP did a great job? Because I never found myself saying, "Will he shut up?" during the broadcast. Very professional job by JP. Ty, on the other hand, is still worthless.
I actually thought Ty was ok. I thought he did a good job of explaining the substitutions and tactics. I thought he benefitted from JP. I really enjoyed JP, though. They should stick with him.
Does anyone know how we keep plowing through play-by-play guys yet Ty keeps surviving every turn over. One would think that there might be a common reason why most of the broadcast teams have struggled. For someone who has followed JP since he was the voice of US Soccer (in the late 80's and early 90's), it is nice to see him finally make it all the way back after decade of paying his dues. Andy
I thougth JP did a very nice job. I also think his level-headed approach keeps Ty in line. The way he pointed out the controversial plays -- Franchino's second clearly bookable offense, Cobi's drop in the box -- without bludgeoning them within an inch of their life was a breath of fresh of air. Just think if Jack was calling the game HOW MANY TIMES we would been reminded that Franchino should have been sent off. Personally, I remembered just fine. Plus his call of the goal, while not epic, was real in its emotion -- and then he sat back and let the chaos do the talking for a while. Much appreciated.
rob stone seemed to have a gun to his throat... he really seemed to have taken a chill pill, not sure if i like that out of stoner ty seemed to be trying to crack some jokes with jp that were old trade with jack, they didn't work with jp as a result i wonder how hard it is for a cameraman to shoot a soccer game?... i mean no other sport in this country requires the cameraman to focus for so long, it seemed at times that they didn't cut away soon enough and the camera would miss some action... as if they guy controlling relaxed for a second -jim
Politics. I have no inside knowledge but it strikes me that Ty is "connected" both to MLS and US Soccer. How else could one explain his keeping the job? He's got the job for as long as he wants it, sorry to say, unless the political landscape within both organizations changes.
I liked JP and I actually thought Ty had a number of good insights but Ty still has the following problems: -- Hyperbole. Stop trying to inflate everything to epic status, just let the game and players speak for themselves. I have to roll my eyes at least a dozen times a match when Ty is the color guy. -- Obscure references. Ty will drop in obscure references to a game from 10 years ago from time to time without explaining the relevance. Even for a soccer nut like me sometimes I don't know what he's talking about, or maybe I do understand but I wish he would finish the thought so that the average viewer will learn something. -- Take a deep breath every now and then and just shut up. -- Have a deeper discussion instead of constant banter. For example, when PKs loomed at the end of the match, maybe JP and Ty could have talked about the two GKs and what each can bring to a PK. You can take a long enough break from the action to discuss this.
JP was Great! Ty was better, probably b/c of JP. Ty did try to create controversy at the end by taking a hard look at Ruiz to see if he was offside. He quickly determined he was onside, but I thought it was clear right off the bat! JP has been doing ESPN International's UEFA matches for a long time. It may be his personal preference to do those games instead of the MLS games. He does all of the US Women's games lately, so hopefully he'll stick around. What did you guys think about Wynalda? I think he was fine. It seemed like he wanted to say much more and he was cutting himself off a bit. I still like a booth with Wynalda and Harkes, going down to Foudy on the field!
I still like a booth with Wynalda and Harkes, going down on Foudy on the field! [/B][/QUOTE] Fixed your post. In all seriousness, though, putting someone like Harkes or Wynalda in the booth is a good idea. I am not sure if Wynalda is retired yet, though, or Harkes for that matter, but using a guy that modern fans can identify with, as opposed to a has been from the US Soccer dark ages, should be the obvious solution. My favorite pairing would still be JP and Tommy, just for that whole "half-insane color analyst" factor, a la Dick Vitale, Bill Raftery, and Madden.
I think the reason that Ty sticks around so long is that for all his faults, he is a really really nice guy. I had the opportunity to speak to him at RFK before the Uruguay and he couldn't have been nicer and others have told me about similar experiences. In comparison, Harkes and Waldo often come off as either arrogant or aloof (especially as those are Harkes' only two moods) Sure Ty can be annoying sometimes, he can also be funny and he can be what Jack never was; insightful. I think Mr. Keough for all his alleged shortcomings, is a great ambassador for the game here in the US and a good link to US Soccer's past, even if that past did involve Mike Sorber and Desmond Armstrong.
These are two great points, and the ones that consistently have me muting the TV (or switching over to Univision, if possible). The question is, are the PBP guys to blame, or the network? Does anyone ever notice that it gets worse depending on the broadcast channel (yes I know Disney owns ABC, ESPN, ESPN2). My point is, the best called games are on ESPN2. Even when it is (was) Jack and Ty. Why? Less dramatizing, more tolerance for dead air. It almost seems like the more they try to appeal to the masses (ABC), the more annoying the commentary gets.
Stone's "chill pill" might have been taken per the league's instruction after he and Dave Dir yukked it up at the Awards Gala Saturday night. They co-hosted and were practically bouncing off the walls with giddiness. Maybe MLS asked him to tone it down a bit. (Of course, I thought they were pretty funny.)
What I liked (and like) about JP is that he can excited when play heats up, like with a scoring chance, but somehow he adds to the excitement on the field for me rather than getting in the way. I'm not sure why/how he can get away with that but well, maybe it's because he just doesn't over do his excitement because he actually understands what's happening, and he's paying attention to the game rather then telling some useless story. Make any sense?
For the umpteenth time: why do we need a color commentator in the first place? Most English broadcasts feature only one commentator and they do fine. The Spurs-DCU game is a case in point. I believe that JP is just as professional as the English and can do a great job alone. I don't see any reason not to try it.
I agree. If I had the choice between no one or Ty you obviously know what I would choose. I think the reason why JP is good is simple. Experience. He has been doing games from around the world for over ten years now. ESPN basically grabbed Jack Edwards from SportsCenter and made him the lead PBP for soccer without having any experience. I also get the impression that Ty and Jack only watch the games that they are calling. Ty always compares a great move to something Denilson would do. As if the only games he has seen are Brazil games from World Cup '98 and 2002.
I actually thought the announcer in the Spurs-DCU game got really repetitive and needed someone else there to help think of something new to say. Why do we need to do it like the English?
While that is generally true, every now and then you get Martin Tyler and Andy Gray doing a game together and it's incredible. I think they are a great 2 man team. Andy Gray's thick almost unintelligable accent is great to listen to and Martin Tyler is simply the best in the business.
Of course JP was great... I think many of you are unnecesarily harsh on Ty... It was Ty who FIRST pointed out that Cobi Jones needed to move more to the other side.... (it was then backed up by the coach who stated the same). Ty later on point out that maybe Cobi thought he could have his way with Franchino... Ty pointed out that all the play from New England came down the Right side, and that it would be better for them to attack from the left side because of the Sun being in the keepers eyes from that angle... Ty pointed out that there was a wind advantage to LA in the first half (that was not readily apperant on TV). Ty pointed out the lack of playmaking midfielder for New England (e.g Hernandez) Ty suggested that Llamasa may have had a hamstring injury on a bad pass, and that he was struggling to keep up with Ruiz five minutes before Llamasa was subbed (for a hamstring injury). Should I go on..... I think some of you critisize for the sake thereof... A critical analysis would have also indicated these and many other aspects of Ty's call of the game. For my part, I would like to see more of JP and Ty. Maybe they can work. I would also like to see Rob Stone and Dave Dir together. And I would like to see Mad Max Bretos get a shot at TV on ESPN..... But that is just me!
USASoccer, these are all great points. Some of these are more obvious than others, but some truly are insightful. What has always bugged me about Ty is that he never seems to have any chemistry between himself and his PBP counterpart. Like I said in my original post, over time he may develop this chemistry with JP. But I am not betting on it, based on his past failures first with Phil Schoen and then with Jack Edwards. For whatever reason, the commentary just seems to hit a speed bump whenever Ty opens his mouth. While that transition is smoother with JP, I think it needs some work. Or my thoughts could be explained by the nervous reaction I get when remembering the Jack and Ty era.
I posted elsewhere (Bigsoccer & other sites) on Sunday how much I enjoyed JP. Just a great job. I also think Ty (who does have his faults) was better then usual. I wouldn't mind seeing Wynalda get a shot. His work (and Terry Gannon's) in the pre-show and halftime was a lot better then their jobs in the World Cup. My favorite moment of the broadcast (announcers wise) was when Waldo pointed to the Rothenburg trophy and stated (in comparison to Lombardi trophy) "That's the one I really care about though." Loved it. My only major problem with Ty was his usual inane comments. I sat in fear every time he talked about Jay Heaps praying he wouldn't use his now infamous line "Heaps has leaps". For about eighty five minutes he didn't. But just as soon as I could take a breath and relax, he just had to pull it out. Give me JP and Waldo in the booth, Stone and Paysse on the sideline (she didn't really bring a lot this season but she's never bad to look at--plus I'm waiting for the day when one of the young MLS strikers hits on her on the air).
Ty may be a nice guy but IMO, on the air, he seams to come across as the mouthy class know-it-all who won't shut up. He may make insightful comments occasionally, but there is something about his presentation that grates on my nerves. Maybe if they moved him down to the sideline his "friendliness" and love for the game would show through in a positive way instead of an annoying way. I agree with a number of previous posts that the best broadcast team currently is JP and Tommy. Foudy would be entertaining on the sideline. As far as Waldo or Harkes, maybe U.S. soccer needs a say-it-like-it-is commentator. When they retire, throw them in the booth. Until then, I vote for JP and Tommy. "Like a rat up a drainpipe " I'm outta here!
Right on, an excellent response to the incessant Ty bashing in these parts. I think what this demonstrates is that Ty clearly is a good analyst, but needs to work on his delivery and spacing. He needs to relax a little when speaking (it often times sounds like he's on the verge of yelling), and be more selective about when he speaks. I think what grates on people most is that they hear from him too much, so that the value of his analysis is overwhelmed. I think JP will prove to be helpful to Ty in this area, and I am optimistic about them as an announcing team.