I'm watching this game and it seems strange because the game, which is an attractive matchup, is being played with no supporters due to a swine flu outbreak.
But one thing that's bugging me is the commentary. The match is on Telemundo and I wonder sometimes if announcers Andres Cantor and Sammy Sadovnik can do anything except complain about the officiating. No matter what game, no matter what the circumstances, whether it's a league match, an international friendly or a World Cup qualifier, it seems like these guys spend a lot of time complaining about the referees. They second-guess calls - which when you watch them 10 times over in slow-motion are easy to see - and demand yellow cards, red cards, penalties, whatever.
It would be nice if they actually described some of the game action without sensationalizing every single play. To be honest, I watch games here on mute most of the time. I wanted to watch it with the volume up to get a feel of the game action as you can hear a lot of what the players are saying as well as some of the voices from the sidelines, but these guys are making it difficult to sit through their typically wrteched commentary.
Okay, Chicharo just scored. One thing I wondered was if players would celebrate as much when scoring today as normal. Do they play up their celebration for the crowd? Does the energy from the stands feed into their goal celebrations? Or would they just sort of congratulate each other as they would if it was a goal during a closed-door scrimmage? Chicharo's celebration was a bit muted I guess. He seemed excited initially, walked over to the end line but wasn't overly demonstrative.
Anyway, back to hoping Cantor and Sadovnik don't ruin the game for me.
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Gone or not?
Expanding a bit on the story that Mural ran accompanying the cover below, here's a brief translation of the story:
Sven-Goran Eriksson's exit from the national team will be announced on April 27 during the owners' meeting, to give formality to the situation and probably decide his successor.
After the 3-1 loss in Honduras, the pressure became too much for the FMF leadership. The press conference with the manager had just finished and the calls began to put the backup plan in place, the one that federation officials acknowledged having a week ago just in case.
And the time has come. Justino Compean, president of the FMF, asked director of national teams Nestor De La Torre to take the first steps and, in plain view outside the locker room, the ex-vice president of Guadalajara began making phone calls meanwhile the official waited. Sven-Goran was not around at that time.
The rest of the story goes on to talk about how Sven had a talk with the federation, and that after the team bus left the officials continued making calls, and mentions Javier Aguirre and Jose Manuel "Chepo" De La Torre as replacements.
All that seems like a giant leap of faith, to assume that everything that went on after the game would lead anyone to believe that the manger will be gone for sure. Maybe he'll be gone, but it doesn't seem as if that determination was made yet.
Stories are breaking that there will be an emergency meeting today to determine Sven's future, but determining one's future and saying one's future is non-existent are two different things.
Just seems like irresponsible journalism.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's exit from the national team will be announced on April 27 during the owners' meeting, to give formality to the situation and probably decide his successor.
After the 3-1 loss in Honduras, the pressure became too much for the FMF leadership. The press conference with the manager had just finished and the calls began to put the backup plan in place, the one that federation officials acknowledged having a week ago just in case.
And the time has come. Justino Compean, president of the FMF, asked director of national teams Nestor De La Torre to take the first steps and, in plain view outside the locker room, the ex-vice president of Guadalajara began making phone calls meanwhile the official waited. Sven-Goran was not around at that time.
The rest of the story goes on to talk about how Sven had a talk with the federation, and that after the team bus left the officials continued making calls, and mentions Javier Aguirre and Jose Manuel "Chepo" De La Torre as replacements.
All that seems like a giant leap of faith, to assume that everything that went on after the game would lead anyone to believe that the manger will be gone for sure. Maybe he'll be gone, but it doesn't seem as if that determination was made yet.
Stories are breaking that there will be an emergency meeting today to determine Sven's future, but determining one's future and saying one's future is non-existent are two different things.
Just seems like irresponsible journalism.
Friday, March 27, 2009
More media thoughts
A couple of random thoughts on the media, since Nery got me thinking about the media.
- There are only two American writers who traveled to El Salvador for a World Cup qualifier, Paul Oberjuerge and Andrea Canales. While I'm very excited for both of them since I know them both personally, I think that it is a bit upsetting that only two media people went. I don't think that's a good thing. There will be dozens of writers and media people in Tennessee on Wednesday but that's here, that's a given.
The press corps is scant in a qualifier that will be important, the full team will play (it's not Game 9 after the US has already qualified), and it's on a Saturday to boot (seems it'd be easier to travel for a Saturday match). In my case, I'm a freelancer like Paul but I couldn't justify going there (yes, I did look into the cost) because I wouldn't have made enough off the game to cover my expenses. Not sure about Paul's situation but he recently did some work for the International Herald Tribune, perhaps he sold stories to them. But I really don't know, just guessing.
I guess it speaks to the level of interest the media at large has in this match and in this team, which is not good.
I'm guessing a good number of media people will travel to Mexico City, some may go to Costa Rica but it's still not a good thing that the media is scant down there.
- Bruce Arena was asked recently what he thought of the media in the US recently. It was during the Landon press conference, as a follow-up to Landon's thoughts on Germany and the environment and all that. Bruce said he thought the media here was too negative.
I don't have the full quote but he want on to say that he wished it were more positive but that he's used to the negativity.
Strange how people perceive things. I thought he always got a pass for a lot of things when he was US coach. I wrote a not-so-nice piece on him, just broke down his coaching record and all that, nothing personal of course, and then I got some heat for it. But whatever, people are going to interpret the media how they see fit, whether it's in Mexico or the US or anywhere.
- There are only two American writers who traveled to El Salvador for a World Cup qualifier, Paul Oberjuerge and Andrea Canales. While I'm very excited for both of them since I know them both personally, I think that it is a bit upsetting that only two media people went. I don't think that's a good thing. There will be dozens of writers and media people in Tennessee on Wednesday but that's here, that's a given.
The press corps is scant in a qualifier that will be important, the full team will play (it's not Game 9 after the US has already qualified), and it's on a Saturday to boot (seems it'd be easier to travel for a Saturday match). In my case, I'm a freelancer like Paul but I couldn't justify going there (yes, I did look into the cost) because I wouldn't have made enough off the game to cover my expenses. Not sure about Paul's situation but he recently did some work for the International Herald Tribune, perhaps he sold stories to them. But I really don't know, just guessing.
I guess it speaks to the level of interest the media at large has in this match and in this team, which is not good.
I'm guessing a good number of media people will travel to Mexico City, some may go to Costa Rica but it's still not a good thing that the media is scant down there.
- Bruce Arena was asked recently what he thought of the media in the US recently. It was during the Landon press conference, as a follow-up to Landon's thoughts on Germany and the environment and all that. Bruce said he thought the media here was too negative.
I don't have the full quote but he want on to say that he wished it were more positive but that he's used to the negativity.
Strange how people perceive things. I thought he always got a pass for a lot of things when he was US coach. I wrote a not-so-nice piece on him, just broke down his coaching record and all that, nothing personal of course, and then I got some heat for it. But whatever, people are going to interpret the media how they see fit, whether it's in Mexico or the US or anywhere.
Media talk
The fallout from the Nery Castillo tirade seems to have been overwhelmingly in favor of Castillo among the supporters. It seems the Mexican media is very low in the minds of many.
Now, I don't know what journalism is like in Mexico and what standards it follows. It's a different game there, so to speak. But the thing that bothers me is this idea that the media should support the national team and should be positive with the national team.
It's not the media's job to support. That's PR, public relations. The media's job is to report on what happened, report the major storylines, the minor storylines and everything in between, to cover a game or event or whatever from as many angles as possible so the reader or viewer or listener or whatever can get the full story.
The media's job is not to support or trash, it is not to give atta-boys or pats on the back, pick-me-up columns or fluff pieces. That's PR, marketing, whatever. Not media. Sure, you cover and deal with players you like on a personal level and other you don't care for on a personal level. But you have to be true to the job and the profession and remain objective. Media members aren't cheerleaders, and it seems that's a major complaint about the Mexican media, that they aren't supporting the national team.
The team has played like shit. What do you want the media to do? You want Mural to run a cover that says "Don't Worry Tri, Next Time You'll Win" if they lose on Saturday? Should that have been the headline following the US-Mexico game?
Now, there is an element of tabloid and sensationalism that goes on there and that part I can't speak about. I despise tabloids in general and if those are the basis of the complaints, I guess I can't really blame them.
Anyway, here's the Futbol Picante crew talking about the Nery situation.
Now, I don't know what journalism is like in Mexico and what standards it follows. It's a different game there, so to speak. But the thing that bothers me is this idea that the media should support the national team and should be positive with the national team.
It's not the media's job to support. That's PR, public relations. The media's job is to report on what happened, report the major storylines, the minor storylines and everything in between, to cover a game or event or whatever from as many angles as possible so the reader or viewer or listener or whatever can get the full story.
The media's job is not to support or trash, it is not to give atta-boys or pats on the back, pick-me-up columns or fluff pieces. That's PR, marketing, whatever. Not media. Sure, you cover and deal with players you like on a personal level and other you don't care for on a personal level. But you have to be true to the job and the profession and remain objective. Media members aren't cheerleaders, and it seems that's a major complaint about the Mexican media, that they aren't supporting the national team.
The team has played like shit. What do you want the media to do? You want Mural to run a cover that says "Don't Worry Tri, Next Time You'll Win" if they lose on Saturday? Should that have been the headline following the US-Mexico game?
Now, there is an element of tabloid and sensationalism that goes on there and that part I can't speak about. I despise tabloids in general and if those are the basis of the complaints, I guess I can't really blame them.
Anyway, here's the Futbol Picante crew talking about the Nery situation.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Post-game tirade
Some of the stuff that won't make the match report...
During the post-game press conference, Washington Post reporter Steven Goff asked DC coach Tom Soehn about goalkeeper Louis Crayton. Josh Wicks started for DC and Milos Kocic was on the bench, so no Crayton. Goff asked what many of us were probably thinking, and Soehn apparently did not like the question. He told him that Crayton wasn't here, so to talk about the game.
In the locker room, Soehn apparently hadn't let it go. As Goff and others were talking to Chris Pontius, Soehn and Goff had some more words, though it was more Soehn unloading on Goff. Soehn told him to talk about the positives and then dropped this on him:
"Focus on the fucking game," Soehn said before he stormed off into the coach's office.
It's unfortunate when you are doing your job, and you're one of the best in the business doing your job, and to have the coach unload on you like that. And really, all Goff was doing was asking him a legitimate question.
During the post-game press conference, Washington Post reporter Steven Goff asked DC coach Tom Soehn about goalkeeper Louis Crayton. Josh Wicks started for DC and Milos Kocic was on the bench, so no Crayton. Goff asked what many of us were probably thinking, and Soehn apparently did not like the question. He told him that Crayton wasn't here, so to talk about the game.
In the locker room, Soehn apparently hadn't let it go. As Goff and others were talking to Chris Pontius, Soehn and Goff had some more words, though it was more Soehn unloading on Goff. Soehn told him to talk about the positives and then dropped this on him:
"Focus on the fucking game," Soehn said before he stormed off into the coach's office.
It's unfortunate when you are doing your job, and you're one of the best in the business doing your job, and to have the coach unload on you like that. And really, all Goff was doing was asking him a legitimate question.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Media guide madness
You know it's the start of the MLS season when all of the teams' respective media guides come out. I got a delivery on Thursday and inside was this:
Now, that cool little box was broken, probably got crushed by other packages but it's supposed to have a front with the league's logo on it. Still, I don't really mind since I've got what matters in the media guides. I organized them up top by how I predict each conference will finish, first through last from the right to the left, conference by conference, though I forgot how I had my Eastern middle-of-the-pack playing out.
Anyway, here are four Western teams' media guide covers.
I think the 'Quakes wanted to remind us who their sponsors were, in case we'd forgotten. RSL's got their new digs on the cover, and their spiral-bound book is always a favorite because it's easy to read.
The other four Western conference teams:
Some interesting notes: Tony Sanneh has a full bio in the Galaxy's guide although the club just announced yesterday that he'd signed with the club. I didn't even realize he hadn't signed until I saw the release. And Chivas USA's features one Mexican in the guide, but it's not Eduardo Lillingston. Claudio Suarez is part of that, just like any other player. No truth to the rumor that staff will cross out Suarez's info with sharpies during upcoming games.
And onto the East:
At first glance, Kansas City's looks strange. It looks more like a glorified pamphlet than a guide. If you look at the first picture, it's the one hiding towards the left. But it's the only media guide that comes with a CD, so perhaps some funds were diverted towards that. Still, it's lightweight and easy to carry and that's a big plus.
New York's is always the thickest, which I always find strange. I mean, it's not like they have a wealth of postseason games to document. The little MLS thing in the corner is the part that had broken off the package.
Anyway, thought you may find this interesting. Now I have to go read up on the Rapids and DC, since that's who we've got coming into town this weekend.
Now, that cool little box was broken, probably got crushed by other packages but it's supposed to have a front with the league's logo on it. Still, I don't really mind since I've got what matters in the media guides. I organized them up top by how I predict each conference will finish, first through last from the right to the left, conference by conference, though I forgot how I had my Eastern middle-of-the-pack playing out.Anyway, here are four Western teams' media guide covers.
I think the 'Quakes wanted to remind us who their sponsors were, in case we'd forgotten. RSL's got their new digs on the cover, and their spiral-bound book is always a favorite because it's easy to read.The other four Western conference teams:
Some interesting notes: Tony Sanneh has a full bio in the Galaxy's guide although the club just announced yesterday that he'd signed with the club. I didn't even realize he hadn't signed until I saw the release. And Chivas USA's features one Mexican in the guide, but it's not Eduardo Lillingston. Claudio Suarez is part of that, just like any other player. No truth to the rumor that staff will cross out Suarez's info with sharpies during upcoming games.
And onto the East:
At first glance, Kansas City's looks strange. It looks more like a glorified pamphlet than a guide. If you look at the first picture, it's the one hiding towards the left. But it's the only media guide that comes with a CD, so perhaps some funds were diverted towards that. Still, it's lightweight and easy to carry and that's a big plus.
New York's is always the thickest, which I always find strange. I mean, it's not like they have a wealth of postseason games to document. The little MLS thing in the corner is the part that had broken off the package.
Anyway, thought you may find this interesting. Now I have to go read up on the Rapids and DC, since that's who we've got coming into town this weekend.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Skewed perspective
I was right there with this commentary from David Faitelson. He was waxing poetic about Mexico's ills, at first about Rafael Marquez, then about El Tri in general. He alluded to a problem with Mexico greater than its coach, that there is no magic wand, that there aren't 11 magicians out there Mexico could send on the field and restore order. I agreed with him on a lot of things.
Then, he went and ruined it at the end.
Towards the very end, he said that Mexico had two things going for them: 1) Azteca, he said they never lose there and 2) they play in CONCACAF. He said that if they were playing against Brazil, Argentina, Italy or Germany, forget about it.
Now, Azteca is a fortress. But Mexico has lost there twice in the last eight years. One was a qualifier. Still, I'd have Mexico as a favorite against any CONCACAF team there so I don't disagree on him there.
But taking CONCACAF lightly? First, this is a weak region. Let's call a spade a spade. This isn't UEFA or CONMEBOL. However, that doesn't mean Mexico (or the US) can send any players out and expect a win. Worse, the two teams he brings up are teams Mexico has lost to in qualifiers already. Costa Rica won the aforementioned qualifier in Azteca, a 2-1 result in 2001. And Honduras, Mexico lost at Honduras in 2001 (3-1) and 2008 (1-0).
It's this kind of thinking that has sunk Mexico. "It's only CONCACAF so we don't need to worry too much." When you play St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize or Dominica, yeah, you can say that. Those teams are pathetic. But when you are playing a team like Honduras that is itching to tear you apart, like Costa Rica who wants nothing more than another victory in Azteca, the "it's only CONCACAF" saying doesn't fly. These teams endured beatings for many years by Mexico, and now they want to return the favor.
But whatever I suppose. If the media wants to take the rest of the region lightly, then the fallout from further losses will only be louder and more harsh since those are teams Mexico is supposed to beat up on anyway, in their eyes anyway.
Then, he went and ruined it at the end.
Towards the very end, he said that Mexico had two things going for them: 1) Azteca, he said they never lose there and 2) they play in CONCACAF. He said that if they were playing against Brazil, Argentina, Italy or Germany, forget about it.
Now, Azteca is a fortress. But Mexico has lost there twice in the last eight years. One was a qualifier. Still, I'd have Mexico as a favorite against any CONCACAF team there so I don't disagree on him there.
But taking CONCACAF lightly? First, this is a weak region. Let's call a spade a spade. This isn't UEFA or CONMEBOL. However, that doesn't mean Mexico (or the US) can send any players out and expect a win. Worse, the two teams he brings up are teams Mexico has lost to in qualifiers already. Costa Rica won the aforementioned qualifier in Azteca, a 2-1 result in 2001. And Honduras, Mexico lost at Honduras in 2001 (3-1) and 2008 (1-0).
It's this kind of thinking that has sunk Mexico. "It's only CONCACAF so we don't need to worry too much." When you play St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize or Dominica, yeah, you can say that. Those teams are pathetic. But when you are playing a team like Honduras that is itching to tear you apart, like Costa Rica who wants nothing more than another victory in Azteca, the "it's only CONCACAF" saying doesn't fly. These teams endured beatings for many years by Mexico, and now they want to return the favor.
But whatever I suppose. If the media wants to take the rest of the region lightly, then the fallout from further losses will only be louder and more harsh since those are teams Mexico is supposed to beat up on anyway, in their eyes anyway.
Monday, February 9, 2009
New role
I have some good news to share with you guys. I was hired on by Goal.com to take over their Mexico coverage. Unlike my former blog partner, giving up my blog is not part of the deal so this trusty blog will continue moving forward.
Now, I'm just getting my feet wet over there but I have some ideas in terms of covering the league and national team. All the news will be in English of course so it's a good chance to provide a steady stream of coverage for one of the most popular but underrepresented (in media terms) leagues in the Western Hemisphere.
I'm starting off slowly of course but once we get the ball moving, it's going to move at a brisk pace.
Albert, wanted to share this with you. I wrote something on El Tri along the lines of what you'd asked a couple of days ago. That's my first official Goal.com column.
Anyway, I'd be glad to hear from readers about any suggestions of features they'd like to see in terms of the Mexican league and national team.
Here is a link to the Mexico page on Goal.com. I've got updated league roundups and some news on El Tri there, plus writer Cesar Garcia has his latest Mexicans Abroad column on there. Plus we'll have more stories there on the Mexican national team and whatever league news I can get to.
Enjoy.
Now, I'm just getting my feet wet over there but I have some ideas in terms of covering the league and national team. All the news will be in English of course so it's a good chance to provide a steady stream of coverage for one of the most popular but underrepresented (in media terms) leagues in the Western Hemisphere.
I'm starting off slowly of course but once we get the ball moving, it's going to move at a brisk pace.
Albert, wanted to share this with you. I wrote something on El Tri along the lines of what you'd asked a couple of days ago. That's my first official Goal.com column.
Anyway, I'd be glad to hear from readers about any suggestions of features they'd like to see in terms of the Mexican league and national team.
Here is a link to the Mexico page on Goal.com. I've got updated league roundups and some news on El Tri there, plus writer Cesar Garcia has his latest Mexicans Abroad column on there. Plus we'll have more stories there on the Mexican national team and whatever league news I can get to.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Canceled
MLS has been canceled on Thursday nights at least.
Thursday night soccer will no longer be part of the weekly soccer landscape, which I think is a good thing. I'm probably in the minority but I never liked Thursday night soccer. It just didn't work. The ratings were a disaster and games were moved to Thursdays to accommodate a non-existent television viewership instead of being played Saturday when teams could better prepare for their respective encounters.
I understand the need to have MLS out there, to be on a major sports network. But when it bombs out, that makes it even more painful to endure.
LA Times' Grahame Jones wrote about the possibility of ESPN bidding for the rights to English Premier League games, and how that would seemingly trouble MLS suits more than the outright cancellation of their Thursday night TV slot. He also described MLS as the "always hypersensitive" league, and how they went on to issue their own release to counterbalance the effects of the word "cancel."
But canceled MLS was. Cancel, cancel, cancel. The ratings were awful, and that MLS Primetime Thursdays lasted as long as it did is sort of remarkable.
Thursday night soccer will no longer be part of the weekly soccer landscape, which I think is a good thing. I'm probably in the minority but I never liked Thursday night soccer. It just didn't work. The ratings were a disaster and games were moved to Thursdays to accommodate a non-existent television viewership instead of being played Saturday when teams could better prepare for their respective encounters.
I understand the need to have MLS out there, to be on a major sports network. But when it bombs out, that makes it even more painful to endure.
LA Times' Grahame Jones wrote about the possibility of ESPN bidding for the rights to English Premier League games, and how that would seemingly trouble MLS suits more than the outright cancellation of their Thursday night TV slot. He also described MLS as the "always hypersensitive" league, and how they went on to issue their own release to counterbalance the effects of the word "cancel."
But canceled MLS was. Cancel, cancel, cancel. The ratings were awful, and that MLS Primetime Thursdays lasted as long as it did is sort of remarkable.
Monday, January 5, 2009
MLS Network
The Touchline Sean Grybos and his thoughts on what an MLS television network might look like. I'd sign up, by the way...
Is it time to start thinking MLS Network?
With Major League Baseball’s launch of the MLB Network on January 1 st, many viewers across the country can now tune into each night to watch the official networks of America’s top leagues – NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. The MLB Network launched in roughly 50 million homes. 50 million! The league is bound to bring in new viewership with such large distribution. One can only hope that the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates add to their fan base via the network.
Before angry Royals and Pirates fans who stumble upon this post start rifling off responses in the comments section, I must state that I too am a loyal Royals and Pirates fan. Thus, I was intrigued by the new network and decided to tune in to the channel’s new program on winter free-agent signings. The Hot Stove which stars everyone’s favorite, Harold Reynolds.
Afterwards, as I was shoveling yet more snow from this New England winter, I daydreamed about the MLS Network and what it might look like. Here's what two hours with a shovel comes up with.
MLS Classic: Who could resist watching the epic DC United teams from the early years? Their dynasty from ’96 through ’99 helped launch the league. I’d also tune in just to see Carlos Valderrama lead the Mutiny to the Supporters Shield or catch Hugo Sánchez as he closed out his career with the Dallas Burn.
SuperDraft Now: A weekly show that highlights the top collegiate prospects from around the nation. Each week leading up to the draft, the show could profile a player or two. This year we would have been able to gain further insight from Calum Angus or Marcus Tracy if this was an actual show. Without a doubt, Buzz Carrick the publisher of the 3rd Degree and Joe Mauceri of Pro Player Pipeline would be the on-air analysts.
The 24th Minute: A weekly half-hour show dedicated to the league’s numerous supporters’ groups such as the Union Ultras, El Batallón, the Red Patch Boys, or La Barra Brava. The title pays tribute to Toronto FC’s first goal scored by Englishman Danny Dichio. Toronto FC supporters diligently sing this song at all matches. I even witnessed about twenty fun-loving Canucks sing during the 24th minute of the club’s preseason match against the Charleston Battery last March.
Fútbol MLS: Nightly Spanish-language show catering to the league’s ever-growing Latino audience with game highlights, post-match interviews, and other news features.
MLS Extra Time: Right after Fútbol MLS, Extra Time would run with hosts Shep & Greg. This is one of my favorite features on MLSnet.com and would be a logical choice for the network.
The Soccer Reporters: Saturday mornings before the majority of the games kick off, the nation’s best would debate and discuss the league’s most relevant topics in a roundtable format. The four-person panel would rotate with the usual suspects: Luis, Andrea, Goff, Grant, Ives, and Nick Green often part of the show. But the host would always be the same; it would have to be Bruce McGuire of du Nord. The man doesn’t miss anything.
Soccer Style: Hosted by the lads at The Original Winger and Shawn Francis of The Offside Rules, the show would be a weekly look at the music, clothing, wags, and other influential pop culture that connects many US soccer fans.
USL Look: The network would be wise to have a weekly show highlighting the vast United Soccer Leagues. This is where we would all go to get our Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fix. Wondering what’s going on in the PDL? Tune in to the Look.
And finally,
Live Games: Maybe add a second national game on Saturday night or perhaps have one on Friday night allowing for games from Thursday through Sunday.
Only one question left, what am I missing?
--Sean Grybos
Is it time to start thinking MLS Network?
With Major League Baseball’s launch of the MLB Network on January 1 st, many viewers across the country can now tune into each night to watch the official networks of America’s top leagues – NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. The MLB Network launched in roughly 50 million homes. 50 million! The league is bound to bring in new viewership with such large distribution. One can only hope that the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates add to their fan base via the network.
Before angry Royals and Pirates fans who stumble upon this post start rifling off responses in the comments section, I must state that I too am a loyal Royals and Pirates fan. Thus, I was intrigued by the new network and decided to tune in to the channel’s new program on winter free-agent signings. The Hot Stove which stars everyone’s favorite, Harold Reynolds.
Afterwards, as I was shoveling yet more snow from this New England winter, I daydreamed about the MLS Network and what it might look like. Here's what two hours with a shovel comes up with.
MLS Classic: Who could resist watching the epic DC United teams from the early years? Their dynasty from ’96 through ’99 helped launch the league. I’d also tune in just to see Carlos Valderrama lead the Mutiny to the Supporters Shield or catch Hugo Sánchez as he closed out his career with the Dallas Burn.
SuperDraft Now: A weekly show that highlights the top collegiate prospects from around the nation. Each week leading up to the draft, the show could profile a player or two. This year we would have been able to gain further insight from Calum Angus or Marcus Tracy if this was an actual show. Without a doubt, Buzz Carrick the publisher of the 3rd Degree and Joe Mauceri of Pro Player Pipeline would be the on-air analysts.
The 24th Minute: A weekly half-hour show dedicated to the league’s numerous supporters’ groups such as the Union Ultras, El Batallón, the Red Patch Boys, or La Barra Brava. The title pays tribute to Toronto FC’s first goal scored by Englishman Danny Dichio. Toronto FC supporters diligently sing this song at all matches. I even witnessed about twenty fun-loving Canucks sing during the 24th minute of the club’s preseason match against the Charleston Battery last March.
Fútbol MLS: Nightly Spanish-language show catering to the league’s ever-growing Latino audience with game highlights, post-match interviews, and other news features.
MLS Extra Time: Right after Fútbol MLS, Extra Time would run with hosts Shep & Greg. This is one of my favorite features on MLSnet.com and would be a logical choice for the network.
The Soccer Reporters: Saturday mornings before the majority of the games kick off, the nation’s best would debate and discuss the league’s most relevant topics in a roundtable format. The four-person panel would rotate with the usual suspects: Luis, Andrea, Goff, Grant, Ives, and Nick Green often part of the show. But the host would always be the same; it would have to be Bruce McGuire of du Nord. The man doesn’t miss anything.
Soccer Style: Hosted by the lads at The Original Winger and Shawn Francis of The Offside Rules, the show would be a weekly look at the music, clothing, wags, and other influential pop culture that connects many US soccer fans.
USL Look: The network would be wise to have a weekly show highlighting the vast United Soccer Leagues. This is where we would all go to get our Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fix. Wondering what’s going on in the PDL? Tune in to the Look.
And finally,
Live Games: Maybe add a second national game on Saturday night or perhaps have one on Friday night allowing for games from Thursday through Sunday.
Only one question left, what am I missing?
--Sean Grybos
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