There are worse things!! There isn't anything more stupid than having a Canadian City like Toronto join the USA League, MLS. That's like Liverpool moving from the English Premeir League to La Liga of Spain!!
I support this petition. Really ESPN, c'mon...You will bore me to death by having a bunch of baseball commentators announcing a soccer game. You know how boring they are during a baseball game. Imagine them announcing a soccer game! A monkey could possibly announce much better than O'Brien.
I support this petition. I'm not even a huge soccer fan, but I'll probably watch because it's the World Cup. Do the right thing and bring in people that truly know the sport.
I support this petition. Derek Ray, Tommy Smythe, and Marcello Balboa would be much more appealing to listen to while watching the biggest sporting event in the world. They have good knowledge and insight on the game.
I support this petition. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give us Derek Ray and Tommy Smythe. Even we Americans sometimes recognize quality announcers, and these fellows are WORLDS better than what is likely to be offered up. Please don't insult your viewership!! Give us true professionals who know the game!!!! (thanks)
I support this petition and would also like to suggest dropping Eric Wynalda from your announcing team. His remarks bring nothing to the game and borders on the line of being detrimental.
I support this petition.
Get people who know the game to broadcast the game, Marcelo Balboa, Eric Wynalda and JP would be fine. Who's the baseball guy who adds nothing to the game? (We could see the snow. We've known abbout Keller's house from the last 5 times it was mentioned.)Stone and Harkes know the game but can't broadcast. How about Sean Weellock? Wacth a broadcast on FSW by Max Bretos and then try to find someone to imitate him! Get it right and you will do yourselves a huge service by attracting a solid base of fans. Do it wrong and you get badmouthed. You choose.
I support this petition.
And Also, How about not showing the uefa champions league scores before you fucking show the game at 12:30 am eastern. Or better yet, play the game at a reasonable time like you used to, 1:30 in the afternoon. dumbasses....
I support this petition.
If the commentators are murdering names and don't know the game, then my volume will be off for these matches and/or I'll be watching Telemundo.
I support this petition. I am a loyal ESPN and long time soccer fan. I watch all of the national team games and catch all of the champions league games. The difference in announcers in these two categories is astonishing. Derek Rae and Tommy Smythe get it. The ESPN announcers for the nats games, just don't. The majesty of our beautiful game and the glory of the greatest sporting tournament in the World should not be relayed over the airwaves on the greatest sports network by perhaps the worst announcers. Get it right
I support this petition.
I too would like to see Derek Rae. How can you put somebody on a broadcast who doesnt even know how the World Cup works? Saying that the U.S. lost to Poland in the 2002 World Cup in the consolation round (huh?) is SHAMEFULL!
I support this petition. ESPN, you are the reason that football/soccer is not doing well in this country. Do the right thing, let announcers like Tommy Smith and Derek Rae call the game. Announcers that know the game in and out. They will be able to raise the level of understanding during games for novice viewers as well as please the veteran fans.
I'd like to see real football announcers like Derek Rae who have Champions League announcing experience...not some retread baseball announcer who's kids happen to play youth soccer so they figure they'll give the World Cup a shot.
I support this petition. Derek Rae is by far the best football announcer at ESPN, and it is a great disservice to the tournament and the fans to not have him broadcasting matches.
No problem with these guys calling the USA matches but true fans of the game will be watching every match and we want quality announcers that actually know the players.
I support this petition. You wouldn't have baseball announcers calling the Kentucky Derby or the US Open...why in the world would you select announcers that don't know diddly about the World Cup call the games??
Please for the love of all that is holy. Get Announcers that know the sport. Please, smythe, Motson, Gray,...Even Eric Cantona..Just someone who knows what they are doing and showing passion at the same time. O'Brien must go. Otherwise it will be Coverage with classical music.
i live in england and proberbly have the best world cup coverage in the world to look forward to done right its one of the great sporting extravaganza's the world has to offer. i love american football.but can never watch the superbowl with english commentators its not the same.so why should your faithful viewers put up with second best.get football personalities to host your show.ones that your punters can respect and a ssociate with like brad freidel or mcbride people who have played the game your supporters are presciuos dont let them down it only comes around every four years its a great way to put football or soccer as you call it in the shop window in america.its the biggest sport in the world and if your gonna do do it right granty chelsea and england fan.. from england
I support this petition. I am a Canadian who is playing soccer in the United States. All of the games that are shown back home have authentic commentators. Watching and Listening to games being broadcasted in America is not at the highest of quality that it could be and I believe that the World Cup deserves the best, just like the Super Bowl, The Stanley Cup and The World Series
Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth are the best football commentators in the states. They are well respected and true professionals on the mic. It is an absolute privilege to listen to these guys on your Champions League broadcasts. Why not use them for the World Cup?
I support this petition.its also one of the reasons i dont watch MLS.and the split screen comercials suck. if you have to show commercials. pause the game.
