<div id="attachment_211994" style="width: 670px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/05/10/jermaine-jones-become-next-great-american-soccer-tv-studio-pundit/jermaine-jones-7/" rel="attachment wp-att-211994"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a>Photo credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</div>
Here at World Soccer Talk, we have taken the lead in identifying the next generation of television broadcasters who will be “driving the bandwagon” by connecting with new viewers in their own unique ways to continue to grow the American soccer community. 
We first identified John Strong in March 2013 as the best homegrown play-by-play commentator who has dedicated himself to professional soccer at all levels as his first priority. Strong’s ability to incorporate elements from three different styles of commentary (British, American, and Latin American) into his own, plus his hard work and his dedication to improving his craft with each broadcast, has earned him respect among the viewers. FOX Sports executives Eric Shanks and John Entz made the correct decision to hire Strong in January 2015 as their primary soccer play-by-play announcer. 
We recently identified CNN International World Sport anchor and correspondent Kate Riley as the odds-on favorite to win the studio host position for Turner Sports’ U.S. English-language coverage of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup starting August 2018, likely to air on truTV. Fun, friendly, and informative, Riley has shown with her work for World Sport during the past year that she is mastering many of the skills and techniques that the most gifted broadcasters possess. In many ways, Riley reminds me of one of the best American sports television reporters of all time regardless of gender, legendary NFL Network and HBO Sports correspondent Andrea Kremer, when Kremer first started working at ESPN 28 years ago.
With the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/01/25/tommy-smyth-says-farewell-espn-24-years/">recent departure from ESPN</a> of studio pundit and co-commentator Tommy Smyth, we have begun the process to identify the next great American soccer TV studio pundit. We are looking for someone who is fearless, outspoken, and controversial. We did not have to wait very long to identify him.
In a recent podcast at ESPNFC.com, ESPN personalities Max Bretos and Herculez Gomez interviewed U.S. Men’s National Team and Los Angeles Galaxy defender Jermaine Jones. The son of an American father and a German mother, this former Bundesliga “Bad Boy” was dubbed the “filthiest player in Germany” by German news television network n-tv before he moved stateside to make his living in Major League Soccer (MLS). 
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Because Jones has become the “Alexi Lalas” of the current generation of USMNT players in more ways then one, Jones will be the perfect studio pundit for any U.S. TV network if and when he decides to hang up his boots.
The following excerpts from <a href="http:\/\/www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=19069685" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jones’ interview with Max Bretos and Herculez Gomez</a> (beginning at the 18:05 mark) have definitely riled up the American soccer community, from the hardcore fanatics to the casual observers:
<blockquote>The criticism is always on me. Everybody tries it, if we lose the game, they always try to find the next guy who can play for Jermaine. It is never somebody else, it is always me. I’ll be honest: That p***es me off, where I say, ‘Wait a minute — when we play the big tournaments, I’m almost or always the best player on the field for this country.’ But then at the end of the day, they try to kick me out when we lose games. That’s not fair.</blockquote>
<blockquote>People hate and try to find mistakes when you lose games. To me, the point is what I’ve said always: Bring me the guy who is better at that position and show that week to week in the league, against me, against other teams. I respect it and I say, ‘If he’s better, I step away.’ I’m 35 — I can step away and say I had a good career. But right now, if you be honest, ask my teammates, ask the people inside. There’s nobody who can take my spot.</blockquote>
<blockquote>If I go to the national team right now, name me a player who has more Champions League games, who played in the highest levels — name me one. I am not a legend. My name is always [highlighted] when we lose, but all other guys are legends.</blockquote>
<blockquote>I want that the people respect me for what I did. They respect Timmy (Howard), they respect Clint (Dempsey), they respect all of the people. I have no problem when you want to criticize me when I play a bad game. But if you want to go against me and say I’m a poor player and all kind of stuff, I’m sorry man, but there’s nobody in that national team who have the same games and have the same success where I’ve been.</blockquote>
<blockquote>I’ve played over 15 years in Europe at a high level. Not 10, not five years, not one year. But sometimes it’s tough to look at numbers. I’m a German-American and maybe not a full American that you can sell like a product.</blockquote>
As one would expect, the most fearless former USMNT member-turned soccer TV studio pundit of his generation, Alexi Lalas, went into full “campaign mode” for Jermaine Jones during the pre-match show of the FOX Network broadcast of Orlando City vs Los Angeles Galaxy on April 15:
“I love Jermaine. I want Jermaine Jones on my team. He is big, bold. He is beautifully arrogant at times, but that’s what you want in a villain. Is he a pain in the neck sometimes? Yeah. But you know what, I like these big, bold personalities. Jermaine Jones is a gamer. When it comes down to it, Jermaine Jones delivers.”
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Was Lalas talking about Jermaine Jones the soccer player? 
Or was Lalas really lobbying his bosses at FOX Sports to bring Jones into the studio as his debate opponent sometime in the near future?
We know the following:
We know that FOX Sports produces most of its soccer studio shows from its Pico Blvd. facility in the Century City section of Los Angeles.
We know that Jones has chosen Los Angeles as his new permanent home, as he and his wife, former Miss Germany Sarah Gerth, have purchased a mansion for themselves and their five children. 
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/04/24/fox-broadcast-chelsea-arsenal-fa-cup-final-followed-seattle-portland-derby/">FOX to broadcast Chelsea-Arsenal FA Cup Final followed by Seattle-Portland derby</a>
We also know that the general manager of FS1, Jamie Horowitz, loves to launch shows with outspoken and controversial personalities engaging in fiery and passionate sports debates.
Can you imagine the fireworks that could go off if Lalas and Jones were paired in the same studio?
Could we be watching ‘Lalas and Jones No Holds Barred’ on FS1 sometime in the future?
Only time will tell.
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Why Jermaine Jones could become the next great US studio pundit - World Soccer Talk

Why Jermaine Jones could become the next great US studio pundit

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Los Angeles (AFP) – The Los Angeles Galaxy confirmed the signing of US international Jermaine Jones on Wednesday, bolstering the midfield resources following the departure of Steven Gerrard.
Jones, 35, was a key member of the USA squad at the 2014 World Cup and joins the Galaxy after three Major League Soccer seasons with the New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids.
“Jermaine is a winner who has experience in MLS and playing against the highest competition in the world,” said Galaxy head coach Curt Onalfo.&nbsp;
“He has a relentless engine on the field and we are confident that he will strengthen our midfield. We look forward to him joining the Galaxy as we prepare for the upcoming season.”
Jones, who was born in Frankfurt, spent the bulk of his career in Germany before heading to MLS in 2014.
He earned three caps for Germany in friendly internationals before declaring his allegiance to the USA in 2009. He made his debut for the USA against Poland in October 2010, and has since amassed 67 caps.

Galaxy sign US international Jones - World Soccer Talk

Galaxy sign US international Jones

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Los Angeles (AFP) – The United States on Friday lodged a protest against the red card issued to Jermaine Jones that looks set to rule the key midfielder out of their Copa America Centenario semi-final.
US Soccer announced the protest against Jones’ red, and a yellow card against striker Bobby Wood which also leaves him suspended for the semi-final, in a posting on Twitter.&nbsp;
Jones was given his marching orders early in the second half of Thursday’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over Ecuador following a confrontation with Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia.
The 34-year-old was issued with a straight red card after raising his hands towards Valencia’s face during the skirmish although replays suggested he barely made any contact with the Ecuadoran wide player.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann later described Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan’s decision as a “disgrace.”
“Unfortunately we lost Jermaine for that incident which is an absolute joke,” Klinsmann said in a press conference.&nbsp;
“Because I was right there — the fourth official made the decision, not the referee, he didn’t see it. He followed the decision of the fourth official. It’s a disgrace, a decision like that.”
The United States face either Argentina or Venezuela in Tuesday’s semi-final in Houston.

US attempt to overturn Jones red card in Copa - World Soccer Talk

US attempt to overturn Jones red card in Copa

<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/jermaine-jones.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/jermaine-jones.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-123964" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20160111_WST_161714_jermaine-jones-600x485.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=485" alt="jermaine-jones" width="600" height="485" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/12/jermaine-jones-600x485.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/12/jermaine-jones-150x121.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/12/jermaine-jones-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/12/jermaine-jones.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure></div>
Jermaine Jones is looking for a lucrative three-year contract to remain a New England Revolution player, one which would take him through his 38th birthday. While he may still have something to offer after his six-game suspension is done, his body may not be able to hold up to three more seasons on the unforgiving artificial turf at Gillette Stadium, particularly given defensive midfield is one of the most physically demanding positions on the pitch. Jones now knows the added rigors of playing in Major League Soccer, with its immense amounts of traveling, rough weather conditions and physical playing style, but that knowledge doesn’t necessarily make those demands any easier to handle.
While I’ve always loved watching Jones’ all-action style, and his position as a US national team star is an obvious draw, there are some better options that the notoriously frugal Revolution could pursue if they don’t improve their offer of an 80% pay cut for Jones. Jermaine isn’t getting any younger, and after last year’s sports hernia surgery ,the combative midfielder is beginning to show his age Jones appeared in only 18 of the Revolution’s 34 regular season games.
https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya4gjFro4lc
One option that’s been rumored is Newcastle United’s Cheick Tiote. At 29, Tiote offers a younger option to Jones, and while he may not be improving at that age, he is a statistical upgrade, averaging 3.1 tackles per game to Jones’s 2.4 over the past two seasons. With a successful pass average of 84.5 to Jones’s 75.6 passes per game since joining MLS. While Tiote may not have the same appeal as the media happy Jones, he is a long standing English Premier League player and Ivory Coast international with some notoriety.
That being said he may not come cheap. Despite having his own injury problems over the past two seasons, Tiote remains an essential squad member for Newcastle, if perhaps not a guaranteed starter. However, if Newcastle are relegated this season — a distinct possibility — a transfer becomes more likely.
https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpiipCG_NKY
Another more audacious possibility is Spanish international Xabi Alonso, whose contract with Bayern Munich ends at the end of the season. With Alonso recently stating he would consider a move to MLS, the Revolution would be wise to consider a move. It would be unlike the Kraft family to spend big on a player, but it remains a slim possibility. With the departure of Jones, it would be a position that needs filling, and Alonso’s signing would represent a major upgrade in terms of quality on the field.
With the increased popularity of the league and soccer in general in the United States, bringing in a player of Alonso’s stature would be a huge boost for the Revs. A World Cup and Champions League winner, Alonso would be a statement signing that might just get the Revs over the hump from contenders to champions. Of course, there are the small matters of the discovery claim and a hefty annual salary, and like Jones, he’s a bit past his prime at 34. But without a transfer fee, he would be worth his salary, if he’d accept a two-year deal.
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2016/01/06/when-will-the-first-superstar-manager-arrive-in-mls/">When will the first superstar manager arrive in Major League Soccer?</a>
An alternative that would make sense is Reading’s Daniel Williams. Averaging 1.2 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game with a pass average of 86% this season, Williams wouldn’t offer a huge on field improvement. He is, however, only 26 years old, and he still has time to improve.
With his status as a burgeoning US national team player, Williams is someone the team could build around for years to come. The biggest hurdle with this deal, though, would be convincing Williams to leave a historically relevant Championship side for the newly popular MLS. For that reason, is seems unlikely that Danny would leave England, even if things change quickly in soccer.
My last candidate is a bit of a wild card: Mathieu Flamini. The 31-year-old Arsenal player is out of contract at the end out the season and has never shown any real interest in playing in the US. Howeve,r he’s a like-for-like replacement for Jones, flying into tackles and making long runs out of midfield to help in the attack (for better or worse). Unlike Jones, he has a more refined side to his game, and with a 89.6% pass completion over the past two seasons, he would represent a solid upgrade in the defensive midfield position.
Flaimini may not be his prime either, but at 31 ,you could offer him a three-year contract without too much worry of an age-related performance drop. And with no transfer fee or overly inflated salary expected, he would seemingly be good value for money. Personally as a Revolution and Arsenal fan this would be my top pick – a recognizable name from a big team, and a leader on and off the pitch.
What are your thoughts? Know any hidden gems that might be lured to the northeast?

Four options if the New England Revolution decide to replace Jermaine Jones - World Soccer Talk

Four options if the New England Revolution decide to replace Jermaine Jones

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105307" title="jermaine-jones" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/jermaine-jones.jpg" alt="" width="598" height="337" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053913/jermaine-jones.jpg 598w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053913/jermaine-jones-150x84.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053913/jermaine-jones-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px"></figure>
Jurgen Klinsmann has always had a close attachment to Jermaine Jones. Whether it was because he was one of the first high-profile German dual nationals to come play for the United States in this squad or he positionally was key to Klinsmann’s ideal formation, the German-American coach has always stood up for the midfielder even when soccer writers (myself included) criticized Jones’ play and exaggerated his yellow card record.
In the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/16/usa-2-1-ghana-usmnt-grabs-late-winner-to-defeat-ghana-watch-match-highlights-video/">United States 2-1 win over Ghana</a>, Klinsmann was vindicated. On a night where alleged talisman <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/16/ghana-1-2-usa-us-player-ratings/">Michael Bradley played maybe his worst game</a> in a U.S. shirt, and the Yanks seemed to be barely hanging on at every turn, Jones not only was a stalwart defensively but did so out of his normal position on the field.
The United States came out in a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/06/why-the-usmnt-diamond-formation-can-work-well-for-jurgen-klinsmann/">4-1-2-1-2/4-4-2 diamond midfield</a>, but when <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/16/jozy-altidore-stretchered-off-with-hamstring-injury-and-replaced-with-aron-johannsson-gif/">Jozy Altidore pulled up with an injury</a> halfway through the first half, that midfield became even straighter in the U.S. half. &nbsp;Not surprisingly Kyle Beckerman dropped back to provide cover for the inexperienced duo of Cameron and Besler (and then Brooks). However, Klinsmann also decided that he would drop Michael Bradley further back as well, to serve at best as a deep-lying playmaker but practically as a disrupter. Without Bradley’s skill further up the pitch, the U.S. became bogged down and reactive to a buzzing Ghana.
Jones was deployed to the left of the midfield and, looking at the heat map, that was primarily where he remained most of the game. Why did Klinsmann choose to place him here instead of where Bradley was? First, Jones on the left would allow him to help mark Daniel Opare and Christian Atsu while DaMarcus Beasley could roam forward, but quickly Jones himself became an offensive threat as he provided the key pass to Clint Dempsey, which Dempsey turned into a goal mere seconds after the first whistle.
Although his final stats are far from gaudy, Jones held down that side defensively and posed enough of a threat going forward that the Ghana right flank was stunted in the attack during the match. Most of the Ghana threat (and their only goal) came from their left.
Jones and Beasley tilted the field and while that was almost enough for Ghana to escape with points, Jermaine Jones play in general was the most consistent of any player on the pitch. Whether it was breaking up attacks, tracking back to defend, trying to provide that incisive pass to the forwards, or even putting his own shot on net, he rewarded Klinsmann’s faith in him by playing out of his (U.S. national team) position and showing that he is flexible enough for Klinsmann to expert with his formation. If <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/16/jozy-altidore-stretchered-off-with-hamstring-injury-and-replaced-with-aron-johannsson-gif/">Altidore</a> and Besler are out of the next game, this will be critical for the U.S.
If Jones had remained in his usual position in the middle, the American attack would have been even more anemic for most of this match plus the left side would have been problematic for the defense.
But for tonight, he was the US’s man of the match and proved he could be the key cog in the midfield going forward.
SEE MORE — Read the latest <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/us-national-team">USMNT World Cup coverage</a>.

Much-Maligned Jermaine Jones Was Key Man in US Win Against Ghana

Much-Maligned Jermaine Jones Was Key Man in US Win Against Ghana - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/10/04/with-jermaine-jones-suspended-schalke-has-a-dilemma-to-solve/jermaine-jones-schalke/" rel="attachment wp-att-85667"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/10/04/with-jermaine-jones-suspended-schalke-has-a-dilemma-to-solve/jermaine-jones-schalke/" rel="attachment wp-att-85667"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-85667" title="jermaine-jones-schalke" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140612_CMS_104227_jermaine-jones-schalke-600x318_a69050b4.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=318" alt="" width="600" height="318" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/10/17063738/jermaine-jones-schalke-600x318.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/10/17063738/jermaine-jones-schalke-150x79.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/10/17063738/jermaine-jones-schalke-300x159.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/10/17063738/jermaine-jones-schalke.jpg 660w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure>
German-born American International Jermaine Jones will not celebrate if he scores against his native country. The former German National Team midfielder who filed a<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2009/06/12/thoughts-on-jermaine-jones-and-the-usmnt/"> one-time national team switch with FIFA in 2009</a> has become<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/06/why-the-usmnt-diamond-formation-can-work-well-for-jurgen-klinsmann/"> a critical player in&nbsp;Jürgen Klinsmann’s US National Team setup</a>. The midfielder who <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/01/31/january-transfer-window-deadline-day-signings-open-thread/">now features for&nbsp;Beşiktaş</a> in the Turkish League after a difficult first half of the 2013-14 season with Schalke 04 in Bundesliga. It was only the second stint of Jones’ professional career in which he played for a club outside Germany. He previously spent part of the 2010-11 season<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2011/02/08/blackburns-owners-are-having-the-last-laugh/"> on loan with Blackburn Rovers</a> then of the Barclays Premier League in England.
Jones said of the possibility of scoring in the United States final group match versus Germany,
<blockquote>“If I score against Germany, I will maybe not celebrate,”
“I think it’s respect there, I grew up in this country — they gave me a lot. I had my first caps for the national team for Germany. I’m happy (Germany’s Head Coach) Jogi Loew gave me this chance, so I will not celebrate if I score.”</blockquote>
Jones featured for Germany’s Youth National Team regularly and was a member of Germany’s 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship squad. The German-born midfielder has more recently been a key figure in the United States setup. Jones has played a critical role in covering for the back four and linking play going forward with Michael Bradley, the United States best field player, and Clint Dempsey, the USA’s best attacking threat.
The Frankfurt born Jones is one of five German-American players on the squad managed by&nbsp;Klinsmann, a German playing legend and World Cup winner. &nbsp;Despite sometimes fierce criticism from the American soccer press and US fans, Klinsmann has kept faith with Jones and it is very likely he will be one of the featured players for the United States in Brazil.
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American Midfielder Jermaine Jones Will Not Celebrate If He Scores vs. Germany

American Midfielder Jermaine Jones Will Not Celebrate If He Scores vs. Germany - World Soccer Talk

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