Your attempt to bring in a more mainstream audience is back firing! Few non-soccer fans watch the worl dcup on their own. Your alienating real soccer fgans instead! I am watching univision- but my Spanish is terrible. STOP THE MADNESS! Stop the racist comments. It's disgusting.
These announcers have made the game so dull, boring. I envy those watching BBC or Univision coverage. The announcers at ESPN say the same boring fact every 15 minutes about the same player.
The only thing good about ESPN has been the HDTV quality. If not for that, I would have watched it in Spanish (and I don't even speak Spanish). Dave O'Brien is the worst soccer announcer, and Balboa is terrible. Can't the ESPN guys just shut up for most of the game? And we'd all rather hear the crowd noise than Dave O'Brien!!!
It's a shame to ruin these World Cup games for everyone when there are capable people like Rob Stone and John Harkes available. This guy is just ignorant of a great sport. Shame on ESPN.
Stop showing contempt for your audience and use an announcer who knows the beautiful game of soccer. I suggest Martin Tyler, the english announcer. anyone but this embarrassment.
I've never heard worse comentators in any sport at any time in my life. O'Brien doesn't understand soccer. Balboa is just a garden variety moron with no command of or comprehension of the English language. He may have been quite a player, but as a comentator he is a disaster. It has been a MAJOR detractor to watching the games to hear his constant dribble of totally inane prattle.
Dave O'Brien is the worst soccer announcer I have ever heard. Why was an announcer from a "more mainstream sport" needed? It isnt like O'Brien is a household name that will draw viewers. If I have to listen to one more description of a "heelpass" or hear about a team being a "powerhouse" I will start to watch the Spanish channel. That woudl be awful since yo no hablo espanol.
Give us the Champions League announcers, or anyone else who is paasionate about the game, and knows what they are talking about. Stop reading your notecard stories while the game is going on Dave.
I am STILL particular feelign quite in a "crazylouco" moda at this joão fulano O'brien chap, when he comments during the 1st Iran match that "USA Senator McCain tried to have Iran disqualified for the Copa, and more nonsense that , fortunately Alexi Lalas, futebol "hippy" put him a bit in his place. And what of Balboa continuing to call Gilardino "Gilardiño"????? hahahahahaha
among other thing-g-g-gs.....
The commentary from ESPN, with the exception of Derek Rae and Tommy Smith, has been universally of the worst order. It is almost painful to watch at times, and only the most faithful of fans could stomach it for long. European and Spanish language reporters are far, far superior... use their examples for goodness sakes. They're the pros at this sport, and ESPN/ABC could stand to learn from their experience. PLEASE get your house in order!!!
because I am watching the football games where Dave O'Brien is commentating, and it is very frustrating because he has absolutely no football knowledge whatsoever. He is a BASEBALL commentator, and listening to Marcelo Balboa correct him every three minutes is very annoying. I constantly have to switch over to my local Spanish channel. We don't care if the commentators aren't American; put somebody like Derek Rae/Tommy Smyth on the job.
because I am watching the football games where Dave O'Brien is commentating, and it is very frustrating because he has absolutely no football knowledge whatsoever. He is a BASEBALL commentator, and listening to Marcelo Balboa correct him every three minutes is very annoying. I constantly have to switch over to my local Spanish channel. We don't care if the commentators aren't American; put somebody like Derek Rae/Tommy Smyth on the job.
There such a lack of passion on the part of these commentators. Football is very passionate game. I have to watch ESPN because its HD and its awesome, but I have the Univision commentary in spanish on the small tv. I don't understand everything they say, but boy are they excited about the game.
