<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-377507 size-full" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Univision-World-Cup-coverage.jpg" alt="TUDN World Cup coverage" width="1200" height="674" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-World-Cup-coverage.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-World-Cup-coverage-600x337.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-World-Cup-coverage-150x84.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-World-Cup-coverage-768x431.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<p><em>Editor’s note: For the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) game against Panama in Orlando, World Soccer Talk’s Kyle Fansler was invited by TUDN to get a unique, behind-the-scenes study of what it takes for a major television broadcaster to air live coverage of a massive World Cup qualifier.</em></p>
<p>TUDN’s World Cup coverage for USMNT games resembles more of an army than it does a production team.</p>
<p>In Sunday’s fixture between the U.S. and Panama, a team of 35 to 40 TUDN employees worked together to bring the broadcast into more than half a million Spanish-language households in the nation. In fact, the Spanish-language broadcast on TUDN and UniMas averaged 503,000 viewers. It would normally have been more, but Honduras-Mexico was happening at the same time.</p>
<p>To fit the task of catering to the Spanish-language households watching U.S.-Panama, dozens of cameramen, editors, producers and other staff collaborated on a live broadcast where the fate of the USA’s chances of World Cup qualification was on a knife’s edge.</p>
<p>On the screen, it looks simple enough. There is one main camera and several others throughout the stadium. However, the complexity goes down to the details for each camera. Plus, the complexity rises when you consider that TUDN also uses cameras from FOX Sports, which carried English-language coverage of the game.</p>
<p>There is a certain give and take. For example, TUDN uses three cameras specifically provided by FOX. These are the main camera and the two behind each goal.</p>
<p>Yet the decisions to switch cameras rapidly in the game to go along with replays comes from outside the stadium in the TUDN truck.</p>
<p>This is just an example of the ins and outs of what it takes to broadcast a USMNT game for the Spanish-language audience. There are also studio shows, on-site desks and a four-man broadcast team in the booth to put out the game.</p>
<p>Chronologically, here is the breakdown of coverage on Sunday night’s game that saw the U.S. beat Panama, 5-1.</p>
<h3>TUDN World Cup coverage from Exploria Stadium</h3>
<p>For Sunday night’s game, TUDN held an hour of dedicated pregame coverage as well as an hour of postgame coverage. However, the analysts and studio hosts from Exploria Stadium had hits throughout the day. Therefore, their day truly starts over five hours ahead of kickoff.</p>
<h5>Pregame</h5>
<p>The talent, which for this game featured a four-man broadcast booth, showed up to Exploria Stadium in Orlando at around 2 p.m., five hours before kick off. For this game, that meant Tony Cherchi, Luis Omar Tapia, Ramses Sandoval and Marcelo Balboa arrived at Exploria Stadium well before the party got started.</p>
<p>The reason for this is so they can understand the rundown of what will be covered during pregame. Also, these commentators perform two- to three-minute hits for TUDN’s pregame show.</p>
<div id="attachment_377500" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-377500" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-377500 size-full" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20220329_CMS_377235_Univision-Desk-Exploria-Stadium-Edit_9a8f0c6a.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=725" alt="TUDN World Cup coverage" width="1200" height="725" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Desk-Exploria-Stadium-Edit.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Desk-Exploria-Stadium-Edit-600x363.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Desk-Exploria-Stadium-Edit-150x91.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Desk-Exploria-Stadium-Edit-768x464.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><p id="caption-attachment-377500" class="wp-caption-text">Ramses Sandoval and Marcelo Balboa doing a live hit from Exploria Stadium.</p></div>
<p>Remember, TUDN, has its World Cup studio coverage away from the stadium, down in Miami at its headquarters. While the actual dedicated pregame show did not start until an hour before kickoff, whatever programs ran by the broadcaster featured little snippets of content from the desk at Exploria Stadium. This could be one question Ramses Sandoval asks Marcelo Balboa or just a conversation between two behind the desk.</p>
<p>However, this is carefully orchestrated by the producers, including Alejandro Lodeiro. At Exploria Stadium on Sunday, the questions that Sandoval asks or the sideline reporter asks a player as they enter the stadium are pre-planned. Lodeiro and others at TUDN carefully planned out a rundown for the show weeks in advance, and those questions fit that organization.</p>
<h5>Prior Planning</h5>
<p>Things will change going into the game. For example, the U.S. picked up a draw at the Estadio Azteca, and Gio Reyna made a <a href="https://the18.com/en/soccer-entertainment/gio-reyna-run-vs-mexico-every-angle-reaction">headline-grabbing mazy run</a> from one box to the other.</p>
<p>So, when putting together this run down, there were things that were already established. For example, the history of World Cup qualifiers between Panama and the United States. Or, a special on <a href="https://twitter.com/TUDNUSA/status/1508207973071568896">Panamanian Román Torres</a>, who scored a brace in the last match of the 2018 qualification cycle to send Panama to its first World Cup.</p>
<p>These require extensive research and production, and time to put together. However, in order to not date itself, TUDN air content that changes just hours before it goes live. For example, the sideline reporter interviewed Jesús Ferreira when the starting lineups came out. An unexpected start, producers believed fans would be interested in how the Colombian-born attacker would take the opportunity.</p>
<p>The aforementioned effort by Gio Reyna was a major talking point. In fact, it signaled a potential return to the starting lineup for Gregg Berhalter. However, when TUDN learned he would remain on the bench, it took away some magnitude from the special interview they had with Reyna once the U.S. returned from Mexico. Regardless, the piece aired during the TUDN dedicated pregame World Cup coverage.</p>
<h5>Game time</h5>
<p>While viewers watch the pregame and are set for kickoff, the craziness amplifies for the production crew at the venue. The truck, which houses the director and producer, replay organizer, audio and video crews, sits in the parking lot just minutes from the field.</p>
<p>Inside the truck, over ten people operate boards that control how the viewers at home experience the game. However, it is not as simple as one person directing someone to change the camera that comes back on the main feed.</p>
<p>Let’s start with the cameras. As stated previously, TUDN and Univision use a set of camera provided by FOX, US Soccer and Exploria Stadium. Furthermore, Univision uses the main feed from FOX throughout most of the game. Still it is up to the director, Dacio Alonso, to make the decisions.</p>
<p>For reference, he estimates that Sunday’s game had 3,000 cuts between cameras during the broadcast. That does not include the cuts from FOX, which provides the world feed for the game in terms of video and audio.</p>
<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-377504" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20220329_CMS_377235_Univision-Production-Truck_386e9070.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=725" alt="" width="1200" height="725" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Production-Truck.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Production-Truck-600x363.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Production-Truck-150x91.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Production-Truck-768x464.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<h5>Video and audio</h5>
<p>FOX’s cameras and TUDN’s cameras may not always look the same. That could be due to the sunset game and the fact that brightness and exposure change as the lighting shifts from daytime to night.</p>
<p>To fix this, one operator uses joysticks to change filters to ensure proper lighting and color. Also, he ensures it is consistent across all the cameras in the stadium.</p>
<p>That way, the director does not have to call out changes to ensure better picture quality. Rather, he sees the polished product and chooses from there.</p>
<p>On the other side of the truck, the audio team perfects the sounds of the game. While the audio and video automatically synchronize, TUDN takes certain considerations into effect. For example, TUDN opens up the microphones on the field to capture more ambient and crowd noise.</p>
<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-377503" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20220329_CMS_377235_Univision-Audio_de6952c0.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=725" alt="" width="1200" height="725" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Audio.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Audio-600x363.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Audio-150x91.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/Univision-Audio-768x464.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<p>The crowd, ball contact, referee whistle and even players yelling are audible throughout the game. Univision and TUDN create a more authentic experience for the viewers at home.</p>
<h3>Capturing the emotion</h3>
<p>A trend consistent among asking the talent, producers and directors from Univision and TUDN is capturing emotion. In the Spanish culture, it inherently exists based off of verbiage and tone. Yet, Univision increases this sentiment.</p>
<p>Audio and video certainly contribute to that. As does commentary. The four-man commentary team is a busy room. But, it allows for more casual conversation regarding the game rather than obscure facts.</p>
<p>Each member of that team puts together statistics and puts in hours upon hours of research and game film to prepare for the game. However, once the game starts, the chemistry allows for something more akin to a friendly discussion, not simple commentary.</p>

Behind the scenes look at TUDN’s USA-Panama broadcast

The TUDN World Cup coverage, including World Cup qualifiers, caters to the millions of Spanish-language households in the U.S.

Behind the scenes look at TUDN's USA-Panama broadcast - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/christian-pulisic-usmnt-panama.jpeg" alt="" width="1200" height="725" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-377295" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/christian-pulisic-usmnt-panama.jpeg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/christian-pulisic-usmnt-panama-600x363.jpeg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/christian-pulisic-usmnt-panama-150x91.jpeg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/christian-pulisic-usmnt-panama-768x464.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<p>Orlando (World Soccer Talk) —&nbsp;The U.S. and a dominant offense looked revamped on Sunday night following Thursday night’s drab draw against its biggest rival, Mexico.</p>
<p>In Mexico City, the U.S. failed to convert several chances in front of goal at the Estadio Azteca. Now, the World Cup party is in full swing following a demolition of Panama in Orlando, 5-1.</p>
<p>Theoretically, the United States could still miss out on Qatar 2022. However, that would require a collapse even more dramatic than what happened back in 2017. As the table stands after 13 games, the United States sits in second place with 25 points. Mexico sits in third, also on 25. Meanwhile, Costa Rica’s win over El Salvador puts the Ticos on 22 points.</p>
<p>Crucially, the U.S. holds a goal difference of 13, 10 goals more than Costa Rica.</p>
<p>Simply put, the U.S. has one foot in the group stages in Qatar. On Wednesday night in San Jose, the United States just has to manage the game. A win, draw or even loss puts the Stars and Stripes through.</p>
<p>In a losing effort, the USMNT can lose by five and still advance. A five-goal difference in defeat, in tandem with Mexico winning, puts the U.S. into the intercontinental playoff.</p>
<p>In FIFA World Cup Qualifying, the first tie breaker is goal difference, followed by total goals scored then head-to-head record.</p>
<h5>One step from qualification</h5>
<p>That is why the offensive bombardment from the U.S. Sunday night against Panama proves so crucial.</p>
<p>Had the U.S. only managed a one-goal win, Costa Rica enters the finale with a sense of hope. After all, the USMNT holds a winless record in World Cup qualifying against Costa Rica. However, the U.S. silenced that probability, even if it is still a miniscule possibility.</p>
<p>That being said, the USMNT had a <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/espn-has-usa-near-certain-93-percent-odds-qualify-russia-18">93% chance to qualify in 2017</a>. Interestingly, that statistic arose after a 4-0 win in the second-to-last game of qualifying. Moreover, it came in Exploria Stadium, against Panama. A bad omen that it is this eerily similar?</p>
<h3>U.S. offense dominant when it counts</h3>
<h5>The prodigal son</h5>
<p>Christian Pulisic scored the opener in that 2017 game, as he did from the penalty spot on Sunday night.</p>
<p>One of the most talented products to emerge from the United States carries the expectations of a country that has a rapidly growing soccer fan base. The face of the sport among USMNT supporters, he needed to step up when it mattered most.</p>
<p>Entering a game that many fans saw as a must-win, the American starlet converted a pair of first-half penalties. He capped off his hat trick with a silky touch and finish past Luis Mejia in the 65<sup>th</sup> minute.</p>
<p>Speaking about Sunday night’s captain postgame, Berhalter mentioned how Pulisic filled all his roles against Panama.</p>
<blockquote><p>“He was on the field when we didn’t qualify. When I look at his performance, besides the three goals, everything else was in line. His work rate, intensity and leadership.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Equally important for a young USMNT squad, Pulisic came to the defense of his teammates against a staunch Panama side. Although he picked up a yellow card for dissent against Salvadorian referee Iván Barton, he shows leadership for the future generations of U.S. soccer.</p>
<p>It works well with his appearances on the scoresheet, which came in bunches on Sunday night.</p>
<h5><strong>Contrast</strong> from<strong> Thursday</strong></h5>
<p>Periods of the game transpired when Costa Rica maintained possession, holding off players like Pulisic, Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola in their press. In fact, Panama finished the game with 61% possession on the road, drawing 23 American fouls.</p>
<p>However, the USMNT was direct in its opportunities when the visitors presented them.</p>
<p>While capturing five goals, the USMNT mustered five shots on target. Of course, Panama helped create its own demise in part. Two penalties given away in silly fashion practically gift-wrapped two of Pulisic’s goals.</p>
<p>Yet, Christian Pulisic, as well as other players, missed clear-cut opportunities against Mexico. This includes forcing Guillermo Ochoa into a save of what should be converted 10 times out of 10 by one of America’s most prominent names.</p>
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="World Cup Qualifying: Pulisic’s hat trick moves USMNT closer to Qatar in win vs Panama | FOX SOCCER" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJd_0L8nSiw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p>Fans expected a bounce back, but not on the level that saw the U.S. offense dominant to the point it put this game to rest after 27 minutes.</p>
<h5>Improvements</h5>
<p>It was far from a perfect game. Panama failed to capitalize on a number of errors among the USMNT back line. Some miscommunications between Zack Steffen and his center backs as well as the occasional spill from Steffen cracked the door for Panama. Eventually, a free kick from five yards outside the 18-yard box broke what would have been the USMNT’s seventh shut out of this qualifying cycle.</p>
<p>Regardless, the Manchester City stopper, along with his MLS-based center backs Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson limited the visitors in their opportunities.</p>
<p>Something else to build off of is the performance of Luca de la Torre. While Pulisic grabs the headlines, de la Torre fit in to a midfield with Tyler Adams and Yunas Musah well. The 23-year-old only made his first start for the national team in February’s 3-0 win against Honduras. His performance in linking a ruthless front three to a stalwart back line should be admired, especially considering the magnitude of this game.</p>
<p>Luca de la Torre, Paul Arriola and others proved crucial despite not being household names. Depth is key for this USMNT team, especially considering the injuries and runs of form with players. Gregg Berhalter says he has full confidence in players he calls into camp.</p>
<blockquote><p>“We talked early on about the next an up mentality. We don’t call people up unless we trust them. It’s about maintaining a high level, and the national team can be difficult. I’m really pleased with guys like Luca, Gianluca Busio,… it makes a difference when you call on these guys to perform.”</p></blockquote>
<h3>Costa Rica in the qualifying finale</h3>
<p>The U.S. did not need a an offense dominant over Mexico. It would have been nice, considering the record in World Cup qualifying the Americans hold while visiting their southern neighbors.</p>
<p>The U.S. needed to have goals in this game. A win was paramount, but building on the goal differential puts the U.S.&nbsp;<em>that much closer&nbsp;</em>to Qatar.</p>
<p>Now, Gregg Berhalter has the option of solidifying his defense in Costa Rica. The U.S. does not need to win. The U.S. does not even need to draw. Rather, the U.S. must maintain a defense that prevents Wednesday’s game from getting out of hand.</p>
<p>Do that much, and the U.S. goes to Qatar in November. A calamity like 2017 is not out of the question, but it would be perhaps even more unfathomable than what happened against Trinidad and Tobago.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: Brad Smith/ISI Photos / Contributor</em></p>

U.S. offense dominant in explosive 5-1 win against Panama

With the U.S. dominant offense leading the way, Gregg Berhalter's side now sits inches away from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

U.S. offense dominant in explosive 5-1 win against Panama - World Soccer Talk

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Behind the scenes look at TUDN’s USA-Panama broadcast

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U.S. offense dominant in explosive 5-1 win against Panama