On national TV, not necessarily World Cup: Bob Ley was a bit before my time watching soccer, but I later discovered his commentary of (IIRC) MLS Cup 97 and realized what people were raving about. Rob Stone was good on ESPN2. The problem there, that we all could see, was that he was too good and quickly rose up. People who are that good aren't sticking around MLS PbP for too long. Tommy Smyth was good, then he totally disappeared off US TV.
I agree, regarding Landon D. + Ian Darke...really wish a network (Fox or whoever has rights to future WCs) could duplicate that chemistry. Network execs in the U.S. always think they MUST have brits (male or female) on the call to make it legit. Landon + Ian is a decent compromise, in contrast to the 'two brits' -- which I've really tired of during the past weeks.
If you play a drinking game on which you drink every time a British commentator mentions the NFL, please don’t drive.
Isn't every US based match played in an NFL stadium, surrounded by reminders that you're in a NFL stadium?
But you’re way more likely to hear it from a Higginbotham or a Hargreaves than from a Dellacamera or a Donovan.
Seeing Owen Hargreaves on the pre-game show for Argentina/Switzerland and not in the booth probably means the Darren Fletcher/Owen Hargreaves duo is probably done for the tournament. They were my favorite fox duo this tournament. They have great chemistry from working together at TNT Sports.
Except FOX World Cup announcers face major criticism after Lamine Yamal comments - Irish Star https://share.google/iYyu0CrDoNStFYnut
True. Besides -- FIFA and its corporate buddies do a thorough job of 'scrubbing' each venue of any local team/corporate sponsor or NFL branding during WC. Look closely...
I wanna hear 'Mericans, when a team from the...Americas wins it ALL next week! [ hoping the final lives up to the men's Wimbledon final I just witnessed! ]
The UK commentators have been open about noting facts like "the stadium is better known as Mercedes-Benz Stadium and is home to the Atlanta Falcons... A FEW MOMENTS LATER ...and Atlanta United of the MLS".
Bob Ley was great. I think he was one of ESPN's best personalities full stop but luckily for us he'd gotten his start in the old NASL so loved the game. Which meant we had one of ESPN's top stars announcing US games, wish we had that now With the Rob Stone one you've hit on an issue with US commentators. Even if they start in soccer and know the sport they get pulled up to more popular sports, like college football, if they are any good. This is why I genuinely prefer British PbP even on American games. It's not the accent or the fact that they call it a pitch, it's because this is what they've been covering their whole careers and this is the top for them. A lot of the U.S. PbP guys didn't grew up watching the sport, and didn't dream of announcing the World Cup let alone a Wednesday night MLS game. They dreamed of the Super Bowl or the Final Four. So they don't have an entire life of context to refer back to. Of course they can study and learn about the game but when they are trying to make connections between England - Argentina now versus '86 or '98 they can only reference what they've read. They weren't aware of it at the time and just don't have a lived experience of an entire life watching the sport. Rob Stone played College Soccer so he did have prior knowledge. But then we have the other side which is he was too good so got promoted. For the British guys and girls being the top PbP in soccer/football is the top. Finally I do like former US players on color comms especially for US games. Makes it feel American, and they have that knowledge and context about the US team and soccer culture that a foreign player may not. I liked him too especially the "auld onion bag" line. But he's a lot like Ray Hudson for me. In small doses I like his excitement and one liners, but wouldn't want him to be the voice I heard every week. Apparently he originally covered GAA (Hurling, Gaelic Football) in Ireland. Not sure how he ended up at ESPN covering soccer.
Presumably Strong and Holden went to the American school of announcers. In most American sports there are natural gaps in the action which you need to fill. In soccer the gaps a lot shorter and less frequent. If you have a talking point making it 15 seconds and insert it during a gap in play. If you need to respond make it snappy. Also make it relevant to what's happening in front of you. We don't need Holden to start waxing lyrical about youth development while a team is preparing to take a corner. That's what the pre-game should be for.
1 The English are boring, a snooze fest. 2 Americans who wannabe the English are cringe 3 Animated S. Americans who love the US are the absolute best possible folks to cover the games. 4 Former USMNT players are great, especially the characters. Jermaine Jones would be a great foil…not sure why someone hasn’t capitalized on that. As grating as Wynalda can be, he’s another who is a great foil. You need those guys to bring the group to life. A bunch of people meekly agreeing with each other is boring. 5 Carli Lloyd was excellent. I look forward to more of her.
His best line at the end of the broadcast: "and for me, Toby Charles, Good By!" Also, was the the one who said "It was easier to score than to miss" (or was that Alan Fountain?)