JP Dellacamera (pictured on right)

JP Dellacamera, one of the most veteran U.S. soccer commentators, has left ESPN and moved to Fox Soccer Channel to become the network’s lead MLS commentator, say reports.

Dellacamera is synonymous with the rise in popularity of soccer in the United States during the past couple of decades. He is best known for calling the game between the United States and Trinidad & Tobago in 1989, where Paul Caligiuri scored the only goal to send the U.S. to the 1990 World Cup. He was also the lead announcer for the 1999 Women’s World Cup on ESPN and ABC.

With Dellacamera leaving ESPN, Adrian Healey will become the lead MLS commentator for the network.

According to reports, Dellacamera has signed a one-year deal and will announce MLS games for Fox Soccer Channel on Friday nights.

The decision by Fox Soccer Channel to hire Dellacamera is a smart one in my opinion. He adds instant credibility to any broadcast he’s attached to because of his experience and very recognizable voice. Whether MLS fans will adapt as well to Healey is yet to be determined. Some MLS fans may feel that ESPN should have commentators with American accents.