The Soccer Thread (Version 8)

This was pure network thinking at its anti-finest. That Spanish language announcer is loud and popular. Gus is loud. Therefore, Gus should do soccer, too/

 

Union/Sounders on GolTV right now for Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.

 

He was awful. Announcing soccer is knowing when not to speak, how to convey information with a minimum of words and knowing how to modulate your excitement level as the situation warrants. He failed on all accounts, mostly because he simply didn't know the game as well as tons of other USA-based announcers.

 

You have to give Johnson some credit for recognizing he couldn't do the job. But it's obvious Fox wanted one of their main announcers on the World Cup, much like the keep sending out Joe Buck.

 

Maybe Gus can join Buck next year at the U.S. Open. He'd be great behind the 17th green.

 

Mesut Ozil, "a Picasso hanging in the bathroom."

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/9/17/6328929/arsenal-vs-borussia-dortmund-this-keeps-happening-why

 

Don Garber vs. Bruce Arena, who ya got?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/09/17/don-garber-fines-bruce-arena-for-comments-about-mls-handling-of-kljestan-case/

 

Gus is not my cup of tea for sure in any arena. But you can do a lot worse than Joe Buck. C'mon, it's soccer.

I realize this will be an unpopular opinion, but Buck's unobtrusiveness may be just perfect for the sport. The problem with footy announcing, which is more applicable for south of the border, is that too many talents try to become the star of the show.

 

I'll buy that. I'm not a huge Buck guy, but I could see his style working for soccer.

 

As expected, Wembley will host the Euro 2020 semis and final. Germany stood aside in return for backing to host Euro 2024.

http://www.espnfc.us/european-championship/story/2044237/wembley-stadium-to-host-euro-2020-semifinals-and-final

Russia and Azerbaijan? Really?

 

New MLS logo:

Um. OK?

 

O/U until United sacks Van Gaal?