ESPN WC Coverage

Thoughts and Quibbles

From the little I watched this morning.. not bad. Not too basic, not too arcane-insiderish.

Note for the first time, WC video coverage on mobiles. Several on the Crew boards say they've signed up and it's reasonable, esp in the workplace

 

US tv coverage parody

YouTube- How to get Americans (USA) to watch Football during 2010 FIFA World Cup
- MUST SEE!

Genius!
All the best humor is based on fact. And to point that out: I submit Macca being tasked with defining, on air, the ways that US could end up meeting ENG in the finals.
And everything Julie Foudy says.. or is given a script for.
Both of them must feel like they need an immediate shower after the camera lite goes out.

Too bad that wasn't done by The Onion, though... instead of a bunch of quasi-intellectuals on Slate. HOWEVER..Doing that must have been a welcome respite from all the geo-political spin.

 

I really like the coverage so far. Agree Don that Martinez has been great. Maybe he's taking a first hand look at some of our guys to bring over to Wigan (ie: Cherundolo, Jozy, Demerit?). I also like Efan Ekoku. I have never heard him before but he is good.

 

But what happened to the awesome hair he used to have?

 

Tirico w/McManaman (spelling screwup), and Martinez have been outstanding. Great respect for Bob Ley, but he's been stuck w/a muppet (Lalas), and a mute (Gullitt).

Martin Tyler has had a new partner each game which isn't good. Have to agree w/Oms and HD about Drake & Ekoku, they have great chemistry and obviously worked together well.

Harkes? wouldn't know, since I much prefer the Univision announcers to him.

 

Good Grief! Every damn goal is gonna foster an analysis of the keeper's performance.

The BRA crossing goal was brilliant.

 

Kyle Martino is the future of soccer color commentary

Another vote for Martino... maybe NOW we see the purpose in why Kyle never fulfilled what seemed like the promise he showed while being tutored on the field by Harkes.
Now, Harkes should watch him to see how.
The kid's a natural.
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Circular Linkage...

Wicked Evil: ESPN puts Ruud Gullit and Lalas on camera together!

 

Ian Darke on covering ALG game

SportinNewsBlog: : ESPN's Ian Darke Talks About His Call Of The Greatest Goal In U.S. History
{- Well, now.. I wouldnt say THAT!}

There's MUCH more

 

I think ESPN has been absolutely smashing the coverage so far, as evidenced by the ratings. What is helping:

-every game in HD
-all Brit announcers (no American has proven able to carry a game, sorry Jack Edwards and JP Dellacamera), they have all been fantastic
-very insightful pre and post match commentary. I've especially liked Gullit, Klinsmann, and Martinez, Fowler is probably the better over Tirico/Ley.
-full coverage of every game - the tunnel, anthems, and lineups

This is how soccer gets into the American bloodstream - an undeniably quality product.

 

FSC WC recap coverage

Interesting.. apparently FSC is now allowed to show game video now that US is out. Before they were only showing stills.
Or, perhaps, the embargo was for Group play only
Cant find any references to a dispute between them and ESPN