I support this petition.Derek Rae is a master craftsman.
Tommy Smyth may not be for everyone. Tommy knows and understands the game at top level.Last World Cup final he was streets ahead of everyone who were announcing games.
I support this petition, just because a baseball announcer shouldn't be announcing soccer matches. However, I also highly suggest you sign some real announcers and not idiots like Tommy Smith. He doesn't have a clue about soccer either.
You may think that since Americans don't pay attention to soccer like the rest of the world do, you can just get away with putting crappy announcers on for the World Cup. We are passionate about "OUR" sport and demand the best that you have to offer, Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth!
I support this petition.Much of what is bad is O' Brien.The input of people like Wynalda , Lalas , Balboa are just as awful.Remember when Julie Foudy was involved what a joke. Would ESPN take in a player from WNBA to work the NBA Finals, they would be laughted out of town. Its different when it come around to soccer. Just throw someone on the air who cares what they say its only soccer.ESPN need to
get rid of the racist idea that announcers with accents will not work. Accents are OK when ESPN show Tennis and NFL why not with soccer.So Derek and Tommy do not have American accents they are the best announcers that ESPN has to offer in soccer.
I support this petition. With the growing popularity of the "beautiful game" in the US, I think its time to give the US coverage the amount of care that is given to the overseas ESPN soccer coverage. Bring on Smith and Rae!
I support this petition.
Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth are pound for pound the best soccer announce team in the business - especially Derek Rae. While Dave O'Brien is an excellent Baseball announcer - he is clueless in this arena - especially on soccer's grandest stage. But what do you expect from a network that kisses up to all the athletes and treats the viewers as if they are complete morons.
I support this petition.The duo of Rae and Smyth are all over the Champions league game.
I remember they were on the air for the pre game of a game last year.During the swift appearance they gave more info than the announcers did during the 90 min of the game.
I support this petition. Aussie here who spends a lot of time in LA on business. Have noticed that ESPN's soccer coverage in Sydney is much better than what you get in US. I just assumed you got to see press pass with Derick, Tommy and Janus. At least you blokes get to hear the world commentary for the Champions League. Me and another Aussie were in California last week and sat through the guy with the deep voice and no soccer knowledge. I assume that's the O'Brien person. Let me put it simply. If ESPN in the US prefer him to Smyth and Rae, the boss man there should be dismissed immediately. Then again, if it's because they want to put soccer down, he's doing a great job!
I support this petition. I can't remember a time I watched a match with American announcers and was satisfied with them. I watch the European leagues all the time and there are loads of announcers out there who are brilliant. A team of them must be available for the summer.
I support this petition. This is the greatest sport in the world. Please don't insult us with less than par commentating. I did watch Univision four years ago due to mispronounciation in names and lack of tactics.
I support this petition. These announcers ruin the game, please please please do no use them or tell them to shut up once in a while and let the action speak for itself, this isnt hockey!!
I support this petition. ESPN has done more than enough to ruin football in this country. Thank you for the world baseball championships instead of the live UEFA Champions' League matches this week as well.
I support this petition; the World Cup, and it's fans, deserve only the best. ESPN has numerous capable announcers; for instance the teams that broadcast Champions League games. Get someone knowledgeable and passionate about the game.
I support this petition. At this point, I'm confident Dave can only embarass himself, your network, and the country come June 9th. Please get someone else to call the USA games, at least.
I support this petition. Get British commentators to work the games. I can remember cringing as an American commentator during a USA match in WC 2002( I think v Germany) counted off the injury time as if it was a shot clock in basketball! "The US has 20 seconds to tie the game 15 seconds.. 10 seconds.. Laughable, Pathetic, and another example of dumbing down the beautiful game for the USA.
I support this petition. I plan to watch ESPN HD but have Univision audio on and certainly wont buy any product sponsored or advertised on ESPN. Luckily I speak spanish so I have no problem with this compromise.
I support this petition. C'mon, Dave O'brien doesn't have a cluse to what he's talking about, and it shows. Please, you have to do something about this
I support this petition. Ditto on the Balboa comment. He has almost "zero" to bring to the announcing booth. I have literally fallen asleep listening to his underwhelming enthusisiasm and perspicacity.
If you put Dave O'Brein in like your thinking, then I want Dick Buttons to do all NFL games and those golf color guys to do MLB. Sounds silly? Then why put baseball people in for the greatest game in the world. Do the right thing, guys!
I support this petition. ESPN should just use the British commentary feeds.. The US soccer crowd is already used to them from FSC & Setanta... Oh.. btw NBC why don't you do the same for the Olympics.
I support this petition. I watch more EPL than all other american sports combined. Whenever I do come across a US international friendly or an MLS game, the commentators are wretched. The Brits are the best commentators of the game there is.
I support this petition. ESPN has the opportunity to provide its viewers with the best announcers in the world to cover the 2006 World Cup. Using non-expert, American announcers without a clue of the game is a major mistake and a harsh treatment for all of us true football supports in the US. Football does need useless drival voice over announcers, it needs knowledgeable commentators who know when to speak and when to be quiet.
I support this petition, though US Soccer ironically said that O'Brian being selected shows how much more respect soccer is getting, since he is crossing over from a "big" sport - Please.
