Saturday is FIFA Day
Sure, sure. It may be the weekend, but it’s a World Cup weekend, so I’m up and about and watching England vs. Paraguay.
I watch quite a bit of soccer on television; specifically, England’s EPL (go Gunners) and anything that happens to be on at work (which means listening to the play-by-play en español). I don’t watch many MLS tests, unless I’m there, in the stadium, watching FC Dallas (sorry, Bill).
My big point, here, is the announcers I hear on television are either English or Latino.
Today’s England v. Paraguay game is being broadcast on one of the “Big Three” networks here in the US (ABC), and American soccer commentators suck.
Here’s the difference: English commentators bring a ton of insight to the game, looking ahead into how the play on the field is developing, and they throw in snarkily delicious comments in that dry wit way that only they can do (which often has me laughing out loud). Latino commentators insert a great deal of opinion into their commentary and, love or hate what they say, it involves you in the game. They also bring some of the best passion to the commentary I’ve heard the world over. You can’t help but get excited when they’re calling the action.
American commentators act as if they’re calling a baseball game (and I love baseball, but c’mon, guys, it’s akin to having cricket announcers calling a rugby test). Plus, they just get things wrong. First, it’s para-gw-eye, not para-gw-ay (pinches gringos) and, secondly, it’s a game, not a funeral. Lastly, it’s David Beckham, not Michael Beckham (I kid you not).
:sigh:
On the positive side, at least the game is being broadcast on one of the Big Three networks, so at least I feel like slightly less of a soccer freak, out of water, living in a godless, soccer-free land.
Edit: the ABC announcers in the Trinidad & Tobago v. Sweeden match are better than those that called the England v. Paraguay test.
4 commentsEmail Article Saturday, June 10th, 2006 at 09:02am Mack Simpson
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