It's a substantial net. I'm not penciling him until barcas first XI or anything, but he's realllly good.
Yes. Just talking about the 'talent' Fox has on air for games and JP may be the only one i like (Lalas has been in the booth for some games - WWC hes in studio). DiCicco annoys the shit out of me. He has that Wynalda 'I always know better' arrogance whenever he talks.
If they have Lalas doing CL games in the booth next year, there are going to be tons of pissed off posters on this board. I was fully aware of all the problems Everton had last season, but having Alexi Lalas rub my nose in it made me want to throw things at the television.
Fox's play by play guys are all solid I think (again...thank god no gus johnson). It's everything around them thats annoying. EDIT: also just realized ESPN uses Taylor next to Darke soooooo............ Also, can we just have one WC with Darke, JP, AND Arlo White...oh oh oh and Martin Tyler?
Jon Champion has to be my favorite. I thought he did a great job with Kasey Keller last Friday night for USA - Netherlands. Ian Darke is obviously solid as well.
Jon champion has a fitting last name. Give me 'ole Champs above Ian darke. Only Martin Tyler is better, imo. Wish ESPN used him more for our games. Hell, MLS too... Bc Adrain healey is not good.
Yeah I don't really mind TT or Lalas I also still don't really understand the little in and outs of the soccer world so maybe that's why
Lalas and Twellman piss me off because they turn every fucking match into a referendum on the state of US Soccer. It's incredibly tiring to hear the same thing over and over and over.
I dont think Taylor is over the top annoying...but i just dont think he educated viewers all that well. Some of these guys seem to think the color guy's job is to just act flabbergasted all of the time. Compare it to a Cris Collinsworth (NFL) Or Eddie O (NHL) and you have guys who just seem more insightful into things that even in-tuned people may not notice. Lalas, DiCicco, and Wynalda are just arrogantly annoying. They are more interested in proving they "know everything" vs. actually educating the viewers and providing valuable insight. That said, Taylor's grabled noises he made when Brooks scored against Ghana were pretty great.
I hate any announcer that says after a goal, "and certainly xx team are through to the next round" or something like that. It happened the other day when the US equalized and I think Champion said something about what a moment for the US to equalize and it was certainly the way that one would end.
As for as former USMNT guys doing tv I find Brian McBride to be pretty great on ESPN FC. When Twellman comes on I instantly fast forward it almost every time.
whaaaaaaaa Darke's call of the Landon goal included "GO GO USA! CERTAINLY THROUGH! OH ITS INCREDIBLE! YOU CANNOT WRITE A SCRIPT LIKE THIS!!"
I should clarify that I hate it when it is premature....like the other day when the Dutch put one off the bar seconds after saying it would end like this and the US got the winner.
I always take it less as them predicting and more of them saying that the team that just took the lead are fucking idiots if they let it slip away now.
Can someone paste this list? @ESPNFC: .@DougMacESPN projects the U.S. lineup for the 2018 World Cup: http://t.co/EPGb9erv8k (@ESPNInsider) http://t.co/r0NbgjTbiE
here's the story: Spoiler Forward: Jozy Altidore Age: 25 | USMNT experience: 80 caps | Starter certainty: 6 out of 10 Backup: Jordan Morris (5 caps) A hamstring injury kept Altidore out of the Americans' two-game swing through Europe, but the target man -- who has five goals in nine MLS games this year -- should be healthy for the Gold Cup after returning to action with Toronto FC. That's good news for the U.S., as is the emergence of Morris as Altidore's understudy. Forward: Gyasi Zardes Age: 23 | Caps: 7 | Certainty: 2 Backup: Aron Johannsson (11 caps) After struggling at times earlier this year, the hard-working, fast-learning LA Galaxy striker is becoming more and more comfortable with the speed of the international game. He finished a tricky chance against the Dutch (his first U.S. goal) and was dangerous against Germany in his sixth straight start. Right midfielder: Alejandro Bedoya Age: 28 | Caps: 39 | Certainty: 3 Backup: Rubio Rubin (3 caps) Like Altidore, the versatile Bedoya wasn't with the U.S. this month due to injury (knee). But the Florida native remains a key part of the rebuilding national team's leadership corps. He's also coming off a career year in France that has caught the interest of teams in bigger leagues, and he'll still be in his prime when Russia 2018 kicks off. Attacking midfielder: Michael Bradley Age: 27 | Caps: 98 | Certainty: 8 Backup: Gedion Zelalem (0 caps) Bradley is at the height of his powers right now. He seems to be embracing -- not simply adjusting to -- the playmaking role Klinsmann has shoehorned him into, establishing himself as the Americans' best player through the first half of this year. He is also the odds-on favorite to captain the team in 2018. Left midfielder: Fabian Johnson Age: 27 | Caps: 32 | Certainty: 6 Backup: Mix Diskerud (30 caps) Despite playing at right wing and left back against the Netherlands and Germany, respectively, Johnson fills a need as an attacking option on the left flank, the spot he plays for Champions League-bound Borussia Monchengladbach. Versatility can be a curse, of course. But as one of the country's most complete players, he'll be on the field somewhere in Russia if healthy. Holding midfielder: Danny Williams Age: 26 | Caps: 16 | Certainty: 1 Backup: Alfredo Morales (10 caps) His performance off the bench in Amsterdam -- he scored his first international goal against the Oranje -- earned him a start against his birth nation. He won't be at the Gold Cup, though, as a chronic knee problem requires rest before next season. Both Danny Williams and DeAndre Yedlin impressed in recent friendly matches versus the Netherlands and Germany. Right back: DeAndre Yedlin Age: 21 | Caps: 17 | Certainty: 2 Backup: Timmy Chandler (21 caps) Klinsmann loves his full-backs who attack, and Yedlin has proved his speed makes things happen, no matter the quality of opponent. Chandler seems ahead of Yedlin right now, but that could change if and when the former Seattle Sounder starts getting regular minutes in Europe, if not sooner. Right center back: Ventura Alvarado Age: 22 | Caps: 5 | Certainty: 2 Backup: Omar Gonzalez (25 caps) The Club America center-back's struggles against the Netherlands weren't unexpected given that it was his first start on the road. But Klinsmann likes the youngster's upside, and he showed confidence in Alvarado by throwing him right back in against the Germans. We'll find out next month if he's edged past Gonzalez on the coach's depth chart. Left center back: John Brooks Age: 22 | Caps: 12 | Certainty: 5 Backup: Cameron Carter-Vickers (0 caps) The learning curve continues for the Berlin-born Brooks, who struggled against the Dutch but finished strong -- after a shaky start -- in Germany. It's all part of the process for a young center back, and Brooks' potential remains vast. The same goes for 17-year-old Tottenham prospect Carter-Vickers, who has been the most consistent American at the ongoing U-20 World Cup. Left back: Brek Shea Age: 25 | Caps: 33 | Certainty: 1 Backup: Greg Garza (7 caps) Shea made way for Johnson against the Germans after manning left back in four of the first six U.S. games in 2015, but don't read too much into that: The Texan has done better than expected on the back line (where he's also playing for Orlando City) and brings all-world athleticism to the position. Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan Age: 30 | Caps: 30 | Certainty: 6 Backups: Bill Hamid (2 caps), William Yarbrough (2 caps) Guzan's spot seemed to be in doubt after he lost his starting job at Aston Villa toward the end of the Premier League season. But Klinsmann has faith in the big backstop, and Guzan will be hard to displace -- even when Tim Howard returns -- should he help the U.S. defend its Gold Cup crown and qualify for the 2017 Confederations Cup.
These predictions will be 75% wrong typically. Seems to be based of who JK likes today in friendlies with the best younger players just slotted into the team. JK will change his mind on who he likes and dislikes 50 times between now and Russia for good reason and no reason.
I think I heard on TDS Podcast that Pelosi didn't look that impressive in Toloun and that he looked like he never really got over his injuries. Morris was the only player who really drew strong reviews at least through the group stages. Not sure how anybody played in the England 3rd place game.
I like Zardes potential in 3 years, but the only reason Zardes is the leader to start in this article is because he has started the last 6 friendlies under JK. ESPN did put their confidence level at 2 out of 10. Personally, I would put better odds on Johannsson or Agudelo, but that is just me.
It's not like he's 20.. He will be 24 in September. He would have to improve technically (sub par first touch) and be more clinical as a finisher. But at 24, you are who you are at that age. More often than not.
Rae is the classiest most refined pbp guy they've ever had on a US English broadcast imo. The stars should align to have his voice over every champions league game. (Though I do love Darke and Tyler, and Champion is pretty good too - even if they all have their Anglo-centric moments on air) JP is a smart vet, and we could certainly do much much worse, but I think he struggles with the balance and tries to narrate too much at times. He's often heard racing through every little moment and so we get stuff like "...passes it" "knocks it down" ... disjointed phrases with no names and a distinct lack of context.
i like Lalas a lot in the studio. He's what I want as a studio analyst - critical but passionate. really hate twellman but mostly because his twitter is awful, it seems, whenever people post his stuff here
How big you guys think the ticket lottery is going to be for each site? resale of USA games would be insane.
Can't wait to revisit page 102 in about 2.5 years. Spoiler Who am I kidding the internet won't exist in 2.5 years
Derek Rae is my GOAT soccer announcer. Champions League on ESPN2 during my college years, 04-08, with Rae announcing were so good.
With all this WC talk I'm actually in 2022 in FIFA right now. Not that it matters at all. Starring 11 consists of Rubin, Zelalem, Hyndman, Gyau, Green, Trapp, Chandler, Brooks,Alvarado, Yedlin, Hamid