Saturday on my way to the game, I was listening to the Ticket. I don't know who the guys that were on the air are, but they were talking about the USOC. They said that since the WC, they had started to follow soccer a little more closely. They couldn't figure out what the USOC was, and why it was being played in the middle of the season. One of the guys told the producer to see if he could find out more about it. They did realize that Milwaukee was an A-league team. But, couldn't figure out how they could make it that far. They assumed that the MLS teams should dominate. They never gave the phone number out and I don't even remember hearing people call in. I was going to call and give them info. I waited until I had to get out of the car to go to the game. But, they never gave out the phone number. I looked on the ticket's web site to see who the show hosts on Saturday afternoons were. But, they don't list them. There is just a name of the show. I was going to email them and thank them for talking soccer and give them some info about the USOC. If any of you know who it was that was on the air, maybe we could drop them a note.
I have heard those guys talk soccer on Saturday before too. It was actually some of the most in-depth soccer coverage I'd ever heard on local radio. Not just box scores but analysis of scoring streaks, matchups, players, etc. I specifically remembered the name of the announcers because I had the same idea you did, but I've since forgotten. I do remember that the show was sports saturday on the ticket. If you get that email, I will definitely send an attaboy as well.
"Ouch" exclaimed the host of Inside Soccer on Fox Sports 1190.... I guess we gotta do a better job...
As I was reading the comments, I was wondering if you would see them. I think that you guys do a wonderful job. I will be listening tongiht while I run. And, when I get back to Atlanta, I will be listening over the internet. I did not hear any indepth coverage. These guys didn't know what the USOC was. I was hoping to contact them to raise the awareness of this tournament because I feel it is unique to sports in the US and the matchups are intriguing.
Bruce Gilbert is the program director at the Ticket. Any comments can be sent to him and he will know who was on the air that Saturday afternoon.
You know what I meant! I'm listening to your show right now and I even called in two shows ago to ask who was the biggest partier on the Burn, so hopefully actions speak louder than words. I guess the point I was trying to make is that I was extremely surprised to hear anyone BESIDES Inside Soccer with anything interesting to say about the game. You guys are in a completely different class. I've even started working late on Tuesdays so I can listen to the show on the way home without any interruptions!
Ah HA! My shamless grab for glory from you WORKED! thanks... i really appreciate everyone that listens.. Big round table planned for next weeks show...
Typically, Ticket Sports Saturday is hosted by Rich Phillips and the Hardline's Ticker guy whose name escapes me right now. There actually appears to be a faction of soccer-interested/non-haters at the Ticket right now, led mostly by Bob Sturm, of BaD Radio & TXCN's 6pm sports show. In fact, Norm Hitzges did a segment Monday afternoon during drive time in which he compared the three sporting events he attended over the weekend and had lot's of good things to say about Burn/fire on Saturday.
The funny thing about the ticket is Sturm's sidekick Dan. The biggest spare at the entire ticket (ok, maybe midget David Robinson, but at least he has some conversation value). Dan used to talk about how crappy soccer was all the time, and now he's done a 180 and wants to sound really cool about it--when they interviewed Steve Morrow Dan was saying how he knew John Spencer was also British, when you know for sure he was just spoon fed that info minutes before. I expect to see much more of this about-facing in the coming years. I give Norm some credit. He knows the sport. I have even emailed him on the subject, but I always plead with him to PLEASE mention the stars--mention Kreis or Matt Jordan, don't just say to come out for a great family event or something.
A very interesting thing about what Norm said on his show that night was that his "new favorite athelete in Dallas" is none other than Antonio "Chivas" Martinez. He also said he really liked watching Joselito Vaca. From what I gathered he was immensely impressed with their speed and hustle. Can't knock it, it's a mention on a major sports outlet. Jeff
Don't forget poor Corby "Cobra" Davidson. As the comedy sidekick of the Hard Line he takes a lot of crap but was single handededly defending soccer during the World Cup. If you've ever heard Rheiner when he whines you knw how tough that can be.