Eric Wynalda is the Future of American Soccer

By: Bob | July 5th, 2007

Normally during this time of the week I am mentally and physically preparing myself to watch MLS Thursday Night on ESPN. The physical preparations are simple. I drink a 6-pack of beer and make a point to move off the couch every three hours or so. The mental part is a bit more of a challenge. It requires special skill to sit through the commentary on ESPN without feeling the need to bang one’s head against a wall. The physical part of my preparations helps in this regard.

This evening when I sit down to watch the game I will lift my malt beverage high in honor of one of the commentators, Eric Wynalda. For he is the future of American soccer now that he has signed a contract to play with the Bakersfield Brigade of the Premier Development League, the fourth division in the United States.

Note the word “Development” in the league’s title. If anyone is in need of soccer development it is a 38-year-old television commentator who has already been inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame. Certainly someone who is tied for the lead for the most goals scored for his country will benefit from the experience of playing against the LA Storm, the Fresno Fuego and the much feared Southern California Seahorses as Wynalda will do this July. Who knows, he might even face Jurgen Klinsmann when the Brigade take on the Orange County Blue Stars on July 8.

Indeed, this a great thing for American soccer. It is only too bad that none of the Brigade’s remaining games happen to fall the same day of the week as Wynalda’s other job, which he plans on keeping. It isn’t cheap having to buy all this mind-numbing beer.

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Category: MLS

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Gianfranco

I agree on the unneccesary cutaway interviews, but I wanna defend Waldo for a minute. He is a breath of fresh air with the rambling, at least he does not sound like GolTv's Ray Hudson who is a minute away from a coronary on every bad pass.
Luis

Wynalda is absolutely terrible and ESPN has no clue how to cover footy!
John

What both Brian and Laurie said. Times twenty!
Laurie

What Brian said. Times ten. That's ALL I want from my announcers. And while we're at it, don't cut away from the freakin' game to do interviews!!!!!!!!
Martha

If this means he won't be polluting my TV and radio airwaves anymore, I'm all for it. As long as he GOES AWAY.
Brian

The problem with ESPN announcers is that they think they're part of the 'entertainment' instead of letting the actual match do that and also, they treat viewers as if they're idiots. I don't need to be 'educated' nor talked down too, all I want to know is who the hell has the ball, who passed to who, who took the shot, etc, without having to squint and/or hope they show the back of his jersey if I don't recognize the guy.
Andrew

Wynalda is insufferable. If there is any suggestion I can make to producers of the programs, find better commentators. A pairing between a Brit, an American, and a Latin commentator is a good start.

Wynalda prevents the evolution of the American public's appreciation of the beautiful game.
combat chuck

Cheer up. You can flip over to the spanish channel at halftime and watch Argentina v. Colombia (Messi, Tevez, Riquelme, et al). Keep the sound off though: their commentary is even worse than Waldo's, especially if you can understand it. You only need to hear "GOLGOLGOL...AZOAZOAZO!!!" once to induce vomiting.