ESPN announces broadcast crew for U.S. Men’s games
It appears that the long, national nightmare is over. Instead of Dave O’Brien and Marcelo Balboa, ESPN has selected Rob Stone, Allen Hopkins, Eric Wynalda, and Bruce Arena to call the first two U.S. Men’s National Team’s games of 2007—versus Denmark tomorrow and Mexico on February 7.
Hopkins will do the sideline reporting, a role he first filled on ESPN during Bruce Arena’s national coaching debut in 1998. When Hopkins called Bundesliga games on Fox Soccer Channel, he was the only tolerable play-by-play personality at the station. His recent studio work at ESPN has been good.
As for the other broadcasters, Rob Stone always gives a slightly-above-average performance and the tension between Wynalda and Arena should make it an interesting couple of hours.
11 comments
I think it is safe to blame both Balboa and O’Brien for the our poor performance at the World Cup. Glad to see they have been cut.
I can’t wait to hear Wynalda though. Hopefully Arena can keep things professional. As we all know from past posts, he’s not the best at doing so.
Wait – in place of O’Brien, we get Arena? Um – and the upside is? Regardless of what you think of Arena’s coaching ability, he’s annoying as hell when he gives interviews. Hopefully as an announcer he’ll stick to the match at hand and STFU about anything else.
Of course having Wynalda and Arena in the same booth (if that’s how it ends up) could be worthy of pay per view
Regardless of what you think of Arena’s coaching ability, he’s annoying as hell when he gives interviews.
Agreed. The ESPN guy tried to cover it up by saying, “Bruce is a natural on television. His knowledge of the sport at all levels is unmatched and his outspoken, matter-of-fact approach resonates with our viewers.”
Outspoken and matter-of-fact? That’s kind.
Arena and Wynaldo were on the broadcast team for the DC United – Revolution playoff game at RFK last year. Arena even made a funny comment that he wished someone had told him about Twellman before Germany after TT scored.
Arena and Wynaldo were on the broadcast team for the DC United – Revolution playoff game at RFK last year. Arena even made a funny comment that he wished someone had told him about Twellman before Germany after TT scored.
OK, that’s actually pretty funny.
Dave O’Brien is OUTTA HERE. But……
Over at ThroughBall, Josh notes that ESPN announced their broadcast team for the upcoming USMNT matches and Dave O’Brien is NOT part of it. But wait. Bruce Arena is. Given The Bruce’s obnoxious tendencies when talking about soccer to the pr…
The give in take between Arena and Wynalda in that playoff game was great and now adding Stoner to the mix instead of O’Brien makes for an excellent booth crew.
Rob Stone is bearable – until he starts talking about his co-ed rec team.
Hey now – I coach a co-ed Rec team
Hey, I love my co-ed rec team. But I doubt the rest of the country wants to hear about it.
Hmmm. Maybe I need to rethink my blog
Might explain why I have 8 readers (joke)