or, maybe more likely, those who grew up playing the game. i think a lot of joe sixpack complaints about soccer, and announcers' tone deafness to the game, are because they haven't played, and can't distinguish the signal from the noise. like someone said upthread, DO'B would start stories as an attack got into high gear. the only explanation i can think of is that to dave, it's all just dribbly dribbly until the occasional shot. those who have played and watched a lot of the game are able to see the subtlety in the build-up or the defending, to know when a ball is a poor cross instead of a shot, etc.
I am still willing to give Dave O'Brien some more time. I mean, you have to assume he applied for this job - that he actually wants it. So let's give him a chance. That said, it does sound like he's announcing a baseball game at times. But he is a competent announcer. WHY I HATE BALBOA At the end of the Crew v Fire game, O'Brien asked his thoughts on the result. Balboa said that the tie - one point each - was a good result for the Crew and the Fire? maybe it was for the Fire - but one point was a good result for the Crew. Hell no it wasn't. This was their home opener. They'd lost 2 in a rown and got pounded in each game. They are now winless in 3 games. A tie a good result? Its better than a loss but it still ain't good. That's why Wynalda is so muc better. At least he adds some color as a color commentator. Better than this middle of the road crap. Balboa may be fine for Regional broadcasts - like doing Rapids games that no one watches anyway - but not national broadcasts.
Four or five games into his soccer pbp career? I think he's doing fine. Do I think he should "currently" be the #1 "voice of soccer" on TV in the U.S.? No. However, he does have plenty of potential, and he has improved. And I'd say he does a better job than many of the team pbp announcers that have doing their jobs for years. For my money, JP and Derek Rae are currently the two best U.S. based soccer PBP announcers.
Nope, I don't think he should be number one. But I do accpet the minimum. I am suprised that that you think he is doing fine, but you ofcourse are entitled to your opinion. I see almost no potential here. And better play by play? How so? I don;t hear that. But then again, I have a hard time getting past all his other assinine comments and babble to really give his PBP just do. Improvement? I have heard each of his broadcasts and honeslty see zero improvement. The snow game against Poland was the clincher for me. This was one of the worst broadscasts I have EVER heard. And my tolerance is very high for these kind of things. He doesn't know the game, thats clear. I can live with that if he would just do the play by play. But he doesn't. He's babbles about other stuff. He says things that are just untrue. He's doesn't seem to understand, just like a socccer guy might not understand the nuances of baseball. He's awful, and being paired with that other Bozo just makes the broadcast almost unlistenable. He brings alomost nothing to the table and is a pathetic spokesperson for our sport. Why you like this guy I will never understand. You seem like a big soccer guy. Derek Rae yes, he's good. If you want to stiff American that reads the skinny's on the players and regurgitates em to us, then JP is your guy. But O'Brien? I don't follow you at all. Has he made a single good observation or clever point? Anything? He might have a nice voice or whatever, but his paltry banter is pitiful IMHO. If you are not adding to the broadcast, you are taking away from it. When you hear people saying Americans don't know soccer, it is things like these that cements that perception. Not that I care really, but I do see where that comes from.
Let's shave the heads of everyone who says "the MLS" and solve 'Celo's hair issue. Then, give DO'B lots of experience doing soccer PBP (maybe at a different level, with some competent assistance) and tapes of JP to listen to, and see if he gets better. His voice is the perfect announcer voice- tuned in or out with one zap of a synapse.
I will accept O'Brien IF he sings the name of the goal scorer like such: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OfASm_-sjM&search=gerrard
not the main point I know, but the World Series that year was on NBC and it was Vin Scully doing the PBP. Jackson got ripped for what you describe during the 1982 playoffs with the Phillies and Astros. He MAY have been doing the NL playoffs in 86, Mets vs. Astros, but I'm not sure. Maybe I'll ask Eddie Gaven if he remembers, next time I see him.....
ok, I just spoke with Eddie . . . actually I wasn't sure which series it was, and I shot off my keyboard before checking -- just did a quick search and found this DVD review of the '86 Mets success: we fans are never happy
What was DOB's fascination with Wayne Rooney? After mentioning his name like 5 times, he then started to say something like..."Rooney, who has had trouble with gambling and pressure....." and then the thought just tailed off. He tried to do this twice, and it was like he forgot what even his point was trying to be. I am not in the camp that thinks he has improved. He may in time, but it will be a miracle for him to improve for the World Cup. I am with Andy Mead - JP and Derek are the best, and I would throw in Adrian Healy who used to do Revs games and now does it for ESPN International. Those are the top 3. Celo......well, I have yet to hear anyone stand up and say they like Balboa's commentary. Is there apologists out there?
gimme ray hudson and something naked or ray hudson, and women's beach soccer championships 'the gals have had some lucky bounces today'
AndyMead called Ray Hudson horrible. Since Mr. mead already runs around here like he owns the place, I think we better listen to him even though every other soccer fan I know love him doing commentary.
Does anyone know who does the Galaxy and/or NYRB games on the MLSNET site? I think both of those guys could do a better job than O'brien
also JP does a really good job. I remember watching the US-MEXICO game at 1 in the morning and thinking it was just a perfect scene. He's a good one too
RBNY's usual crew is JP Dellacamera and Shep Messing (who is rumored to be moving into RBNY mgmt) I believe LAG's crew are from Fox Soccer Channel
the best commentators are fans of the game, which is why i love ray hudson, and its prolly why wynalda is getting some good reviews (and bad ones), ray is just a great personality, and he knows the game