
<p>One of the unintended consequences of <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=analystsnotstars" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a> is that the MLS co-commentators are no longer the stars of the show.</p>



<p>It didn’t used to be that way. When ESPN had rights to MLS, co-commentator Taylor Twellman was arguably the number one US Soccer and MLS analyst in the United States. He, along with other co-commentators, were featured front and center on live television. They had the opportunity, including at half-time, to get their points across to a large audience on television.</p>



<p>But due to the runaway success of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mls-360-available-to-all-apple-tv-subscribers-20230303-WST-422121.html">MLS 360</a>, Apple TV’s whip-around show on MLS Season Pass, the Saturday night program that airs from 7PM to around midnight ET is appointment viewing for fans of MLS teams. On MLS 360, the analysis during games is brought to you by Liam McHugh, Kaylyn Kyle, Sacha Kljestan and Bradley Wright-Phillips.</p>



<p>When watching MLS 360, the only time we hear match commentators and co-commentators is when the producer lets us eavesdrop on a goal call. Even when that happens, it’s usually only for ten to fifteen seconds. Similarly, the style of a lot of American co-commentators is to go silent after a goal is scored, to allow the crowd noise to be heard. By doing so, it reduces the amount of air-time even more, stealing away precious seconds from the analysis that we want to hear from co-commentators.</p>



<h2>What’s the solution for MLS analysts who are stars?</h2>



<p>Of course, we can always watch a match broadcast and listen to the commentary duo for the entire game. But unless you’re a fan of a specific team, or you’re interested in only one game, you’re more likely to want to watch MLS 360.</p>



<p>MLS co-commentators no longer being the stars of the show due to MLS Season Pass is not a problem. At least, not for MLS or Apple TV. Instead, the more popular MLS 360 becomes, the more likely it is that co-commentators fall down the pecking order of importance.</p>



<p>MLS analysts are stars, but when it comes to MLS Season Pass, they’re getting less exposure than what they’re accustomed to.</p>


<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to Major League Soccer</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of MLS Season Pass!</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-faq-20230203-WST-413216.html/"><strong>Season Pass FAQ:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-faq-20230203-WST-413216.html/">answer your questions</a> about MLS Season Pass</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-get-mls-season-pass-20230203-WST-417725.html"><strong>Sign up:</strong></a> Learn <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-get-mls-season-pass-20230203-WST-417725.html">how to subscribe</a> to MLS Season Pass</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-announcers-and-analysts-for-apple-deal-20230203-WST-416042.html"><strong>Commentators:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-announcers-and-analysts-for-apple-deal-20230203-WST-416042.html">who&apos;s</a> calling the action for the MLS season</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-watch-mls-season-pass-on-android-20230203-WST-416910.html"><strong>Android users</strong></a> Tips for fans <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-watch-mls-season-pass-on-android-20230203-WST-416910.html">Android users</a> on how to watch MLS Season Pass</div>
</div>



<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire</em></p>


MLS analysts are stars but when it comes to MLS Season Pass, they're getting less exposure than what they're accustomed to.

MLS Season Pass: MLS analysts no longer stars of the show - World Soccer Talk

MLS Season Pass: MLS analysts no longer stars of the show


<p>Apple’s 10-year streaming deal with MLS has begun. From the opening weekend, we sat back and watched <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a> in all its glory. No blackouts. Exceptional picture quality. Several excellent commentators. And an entertaining night of soccer. It was an enjoyable weekend to review the MLS Season Pass coverage in full.</p>



<p>It was a tiny microcosm of what is going to be a long <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">MLS season</a>. However, we got enough of a glimpse from opening weekend to see what MLS Season Pass is like, what can be improved, and what we find frustrating.</p>



<h2>A solid foundation has been created</h2>



<p>MLS Season Pass is a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/why-mls-season-pass-is-such-an-audacious-undertaking-20230223-WST-419884.html">major upgrade</a> over the league’s previous media offering. First, MLS Season Pass offers a single point of access to bring you every single game. In the past, viewers had to wade through an alphabet soup of different places where games could have been shown. Now, it’s simple. There’s one location that has every game.</p>



<p>Second, there are no blackouts. Getting rid of the cumbersome restrictions due to regional sports networks was infuriating, so we’re glad to see the end of that. Third, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-season-pass-to-broadcast-games-in-1080p-but-not-4k-20230216-WST-420129.html">picture quality is 1080p</a> and superb. The visuals are clean, with a simple Apple TV logo in the top right corner, and a simple but elegant score bug near the top left.</p>



<p>Now, let’s get into the specifics.</p>



<h3>Tumbling head-first into MLS Season Pass</h3>



<p>Tuning in to Saturday’s coverage, I found myself trying to understand the viewer experience, and the flow of programs. I immediately went into a stream of one of the specific games I was interested in watching, expecting to see a live pre-game segment, but it took me directly into <em>MLS Countdown</em>, the pre-game show with Liam McHugh, Kaylyn Kyle, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sacha Kljestan. </p>



<p>No offense to the <em>MLS Countdown </em>crew, but none of the stories they were discussing were of interest to me. So I went on the hunt again for live, pre-game coverage direct from the stadium. None existed. The only piece available was a pre-recorded segment that didn’t hold my attention.</p>



<p>Throughout the night, I found myself “channel surfing” to specific games, and then returning to the <em>MLS Countdown </em>crew who had morphed into the <em>MLS 360 </em>whip-around program. Personally, I would prefer a stream that had <em>MLS Countdown, MLS 360 </em>and <em>MLS Wrap-Up </em>combined into one instead of clicking back and forth between the different options.</p>



<p>Eventually, I found my rhythm which was relying more and more on <em>MLS 360</em>, and then switching to the live games during commercial breaks, and returning to <em>MLS 360 </em>a few minutes later.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First night in the books with this fun crew on MLS 360! Hope you tuned in, lots of goals!! <a href="https://twitter.com/BWPNINENINE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BWPNINENINE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/liam_mchugh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@liam_mchugh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KaylynKyle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KaylynKyle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AppleTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AppleTV</a> <a href="https://t.co/jaLUcluNiR">pic.twitter.com/jaLUcluNiR</a></p>— Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SachaKljestan/status/1629726236422418432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h3>Whip-around show needs a lot of work</h3>



<p>There’s no doubt that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-season-pass-pre-game-post-game-whip-around-details-20230215-WST-419874.html">MLS 360</a> is <em>the</em> centerpiece of <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a>. It’s where most attention is focused on a game day. It also has the potential to be the biggest selling point to showcase the league and the benefits of subscribing to MLS Season Pass.</p>



<p>However, it’s not there yet.</p>



<p>It’s still early days, so aspects may be tweaked, but <em>MLS 360 </em>doesn’t capture the excitement of the league. Simply said, the show is way too talkative. We’re watching <em>MLS 360 </em>to see the action from across the league as it happens. We’re not tuning in to hear pundits talk incessantly —&nbsp;as games are happening — about who’s going to win MLS Cup, or related topics. To us, the viewers, that’s distracting. It takes us away from the very reason we’re watching the show. And it creates a “brick wall” between the games and the viewers.</p>



<p>With the whip-around show, we want to see what the best of MLS is. We don’t want to hear talking heads. If the league is as fun as MLS writers say it is, show it to us. Honestly, we don’t need to see the talent unless nothing is happening, or if it’s halftime, pre-game or post-match. Instead of being like the FA Cup whip-around show on ESPN+, which suffered from similar problems, <em>MLS 360 </em>needs to be more like <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/01/02/how-to-watch-goal-rush-the-premier-league-whiparound-show/">Goal Rush</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cbss-golazo-show-expands-to-include-europa-league-whiparound-on-thursdays-20201202-CMS-318860.html">The Golazo Show</a>.</p>



<p>With <em>MLS 360</em>, the hosts and analysts need to get out of the way, both figuratively and literally. We want to hear the announcers calling the goals instead of the pundits talking over them. Also, we don’t want to see their backs as they occasionally face the screen (see below).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20230227_WST_421421_mls-360-mls-season-pass-1200x670.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-421425" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/mls-360-mls-season-pass-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/mls-360-mls-season-pass-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/mls-360-mls-season-pass-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/mls-360-mls-season-pass.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p><em>MLS 360 </em>could become the best thing MLS ever created. It gives neutrals the opportunity to see how entertaining the league is. In fact, <em>MLS 360 </em>makes MLS more watchable. Collectively the highlights of all of the games put together into one show makes the viewing experience more entertaining. And it’s completely live and unpredictable, which adds to the excitement.</p>



<p>Seeing the thrilling endings to the games between Atlanta-San Jose, DC United-Toronto and Austin-St Louis was so much fun to watch. It’s a taste of what <em>MLS 360 </em>can be. And the best part about it? It encourages viewers to watch even if their team isn’t playing. That has been a huge hurdle for MLS in the past in getting people to care about watching the league as a whole, and overnight this solves that.</p>



<h3>MLS 360 has a Taylor Twellman problem</h3>



<p>What’s intriguing about <em>MLS 360</em> is how much of a difference <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/taylor-twellman-on-mls-season-pass-and-leaving-espn-20230222-WST-420892.html">Taylor Twellman</a> made to the show on Saturday night. You could cut the show into two halves. Before he arrived on set, and the difference he made once he appeared. Without any shadow of a doubt, Twellman injected far more energy and rapid fire conversation into the show.</p>



<p>Twellman only appeared on the show Saturday night because the MLS game in Los Angeles was <a href="https://theathletic.com/4249496/2023/02/24/la-galaxy-lafc-rose-bowl-postponed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">postponed due to weather</a>. However, MLS executives need to figure out a way to either clone Taylor, or have him appear on the show more often because without him, it was nowhere near as good.</p>



<p>If MLS improves the show, <em>MLS 360 </em>may become appointment viewing for soccer fans on Saturday nights. Even better, it’s possible that viewers may watch for more than two hours. For instance, the show starts at 7:30PM ET, and continues through the night until after midnight ET. As long as the games are engaging —&nbsp;and I don’t mind the commercial breaks — viewers can watch through the night as games kickoff at 7:30PM local time from the Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific timezones.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="MLS SEASON PASS: Taylor Twellman interview 🎙️" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lQWEtsQiGwM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>MLS Season Pass coverage review</h2>



<p>Speaking of kickoff times, MLS is up to its old tricks again with games not starting at the scheduled times. In the past, we could have blamed it on the TV networks. But now there is no excuse. Start the game at the kickoff time like every other soccer league does, please.</p>



<p>It’s still early days for MLS Season Pass, so I’m sure a lot of the technical gremlins are going to be fixed. But there were several issues with audio throughout the night. Inter Miami, who <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/6-biggest-misconceptions-about-mls-season-pass-20230209-WST-419108.html">we’ve criticized a lot</a> recently, had the majority of the issues. The home radio announcers sounded like robots for portions of the game. Audio from Kieran Gibbs was barely audible pre-game. Also, we heard a hot mic several times during the night where private conversations could be overheard by mistake.</p>



<p>For a franchise that is actively <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/inter-miami-optimistic-in-pursuit-of-lionel-messi-20221031-WST-406351.html">trying to sign Lionel Messi</a>, the organization’s lack of attention to detail is concerning.</p>



<p>Speaking of concerns, before the 2023 MLS season started, our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-biggest-concerns-ahead-of-new-era-for-apple-20230221-WST-419793.html">number one concern</a> about MLS Season Pass was the negative impact of FOX Sports. Unfortunately, that concern came to fruition on Saturday in an unprofessional way.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20230227_WST_421421_fox-sports-mls-coverage-1200x670.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-421497" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/fox-sports-mls-coverage-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/fox-sports-mls-coverage-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/fox-sports-mls-coverage-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/fox-sports-mls-coverage.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>For Saturday’s opening game of the season, both FOX and MLS Season Pass televised the same game separately. MLS Season Pass’ pre-game coverage <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1629603829258891264" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">looked like a million dollars</a>. FOX’s coverage looked like it was created in a college dorm with a backdrop that resembled a wrinkled shower curtain. </p>



<p>As I wrote last week, </p>



<figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>MLS needs FOX more than FOX needs Major League Soccer. With FOX being the only television partner, FOX is the only way to reach both the mainstream and casual sports fans. While FOX wouldn’t like to see it portrayed this way, FOX bears the weight of promoting the league in order to help sell MLS Season Pass subscriptions. Therefore, FOX is indirectly a key element of whether MLS Season Pass is a success, or not.</p><p>MLS just has to hope that the studio coverage isn’t&nbsp;as bad as FOX’s World Cup coverage, and that it doesn’t turn people away.</p></blockquote></figure>



<p>The irony is that not only did MLS’ own coverage of the game look better than the one on FOX, but MLS’ own commentator duo of Keith Costigan and Maurice Edu also work for FOX Sports. Nevertheless, MLS does a better job at showcasing FOX’s talent than FOX does with its own employees.</p>



<p>To be frank, FOX is an embarrassment to the soccer broadcasting industry in the United States. Since they began, they have televised almost every single major soccer league and competition at one time or another. And remarkably, they have somehow managed to screw up every single one of them. </p>



<p>Unfortunately for MLS, FOX Sports were the only ones who stepped up to be a television partner with the league. FOX’s coverage of MLS is so bad, though, that it may end up encouraging more viewers to <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sign up for MLS Season Pass</a>. Sometimes unintentional consequences pay off.</p>



<p>Elsewhere, the MLS Season App user interface needs work especially when it comes to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-watch-full-game-replays-and-remove-spoilers-20230226-WST-421428.html">making it easier to find games on-demand</a>. We’ve also identified an issue that happens to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-watch-full-game-replays-and-remove-spoilers-20230226-WST-421428.html">Android users who are unable to avoid spoilers</a>.</p>



<p>In summary, Major League Soccer isn’t perfect, by any means, but at the end of the day, we can all agree that it is soccer, and we as soccer fans can at least give MLS Season Pass a chance. </p>



<p>It’s not for everyone, but <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a> has a lot going for it. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="MLS SEASON PASS | AMA: Answering your questions ⚽️" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XCtsOMAr_Xo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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Our MLS Season Pass coverage review looks at the first impressions of gameweek one from Apple TV's new soccer package.

MLS Season Pass coverage review: Week one first impressions - World Soccer Talk

MLS Season Pass coverage review: Week one first impressions

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This is the complete list of talent for announcers and analysts featuring on Apple TV as part of MLS Season Pass.

MLS Season Pass announcers and analysts for Apple deal


<p>A new chapter begins for Major League Soccer (MLS) on February 25, 2023. It’s the first game of a brand-new <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/14/mls-signs-10-year-deal-with-apple-tv-in-global-deal/">media partnership with Apple</a> where every game is streamed globally. In doing so, the league is hiring a team of talented presenters and commentators. Focusing on the play-by-play commentators only, MLS needs to pick these 12 announcers for Apple TV, in our opinion.</p>



<h2>MLS, pick these announcers for Apple TV</h2>



<p><strong>1. Jon Champion</strong></p>



<p>Major League Soccer needs one major commentator as their star. The one who brings audiences in based on his name and experience. And that star is named <a href="https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/jon-champion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jon Champion</a>.</p>



<p>With <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/espn-unlikely-to-renew-mls-tv-deal-speculates-industry-analyst-20221207-WST-411622.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN ending its 26-year broadcast history</a> with MLS, the league <em>has</em> to hire Jon Champion as their lead commentator. In doing so, it’s only natural for Major League Soccer to bring co-commentator Taylor Twellman too.</p>


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<td width="30%"><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20221214_WST_412172_MLSSeasonPass.webp&amp;width=201&amp;height=101" width="201" height="101" alt="MLS Season Pass"></figure></div></a></td>
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<h5 style="color: white;">Includes every MLS match, MLS Cup, Leagues Cup, select MLS NEXT Pro games + exclusive content</h5>
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<td><a class="button" href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Browse Offers</strong></span></a></td>
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<p><strong>2. Max Bretos</strong></p>



<p>Spanning a career from FOX Sports to ESPN and beyond, few know Major League Soccer as well as Max Bretos. From this work with LAFC to his infamous goal calls, Bretos loves MLS, and MLS loves Max.</p>



<p><strong>3. Chris Wittyngham</strong></p>



<p>Few commentators have come so far so fast in the United States as Chris Wittyngham. His work for both TUDN and Inter Miami have been exceptional. And he’s a genuinely decent lad who loves Major League Soccer, and is an excellent commentator. With Chris, there is nothing not to like.</p>



<p><strong>4. Jake Zivin</strong></p>



<p>Nationally, Jake Zivin has flown under the radar. But after his work for FOX Sports and the Portland Timbers, Zivin is a prototypical American announcer who deserves to be on more people’s radars.</p>



<p><strong>5. Adrian Healey</strong></p>



<p>From ESPN to Austin FC, Adrian Healey is an ideal fit for MLS commentaries. You’re not going to get anything controversial from Healey. The former New England Revolution commentator ticks all of MLS’ boxes for someone with vast experience calling games from this league.</p>



<p><strong>6. Tyler Terens</strong></p>



<p>Tyler Terens has one of the best voices in American soccer. As the lead commentator for Chicago Fire games, he deserves a chance to be among the dozen MLS commentators on Apple TV.</p>



<p><strong>7. Juan Arango</strong></p>



<p>With the bonus of having a commentator who is as fluent in English as he is in Spanish, Juan Arango is a natural fit for MLS’ broadcasts. Having worked for ESPN, beIN SPORTS, the Argentine league and, more recently, doing studio work for the Al Jazeera Network, Arango adds a much needed Latino flavor to the English-language commentaries.</p>



<p><strong>8. Eric Krakauer</strong></p>



<p>A student of the world’s game, Eric Krakauer’s work for Charlotte FC shows that he has the goods to work well within MLS. His knowledge of the sport outside of the United States certainly would be a bonus during MLS broadcasts.</p>



<p><strong>9. Keith Costigan</strong></p>



<p>As one of the most underrated commentators in the United States, Keith Costigan deserves to continue calling MLS games. With vast experience at Seattle Sounders as well as FOX Sports, Costigan has the ideal combination of reading the game so well in addition to punctuating it with superb goal calls. He is a must-have for MLS.</p>



<p><strong>10. Andres Cordero</strong></p>



<p>If he can make it fit into his schedule and if CBS Sports are okay with him working with Apple, Dre Cordero should be one of the commentators for Major League Soccer. He’s well prepared and has a different type of vocal delivery that accentuates moments of pure brilliance. His experience calling games for Inter Miami is an ideal example of why he deserves the job at MLS.</p>



<p><strong>11. Steve Cangialosi</strong></p>



<p>While he may not be the youngest commentator, Steve Cangialosi is a veteran announcer of MLS games. Experienced, knowledgeable about the league, Cangialosi would be a welcome familiar voice for Major League Soccer.</p>



<p><strong>12. JP Dellacamera</strong></p>



<p>Last but not least, there are very few American commentators who are in the same “league” as JP Dellacamera. His memorable calls combined with his wealth of experience calling this sport in the United States make him a safe bet for Major League Soccer.</p>


<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to Major League Soccer</h3>
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Our memo to MLS: pick these announcers for Apple TV and the 2023 launch of the MLS Season Pass streaming service.

MLS needs to pick these 12 announcers for Apple TV - World Soccer Talk

MLS needs to pick these 12 announcers for Apple TV

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<p>Taylor Twellman understands goal-scoring for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT). In 30 appearances for Team USA, the striker bagged six goals. Not an amazing tally, but it shows success. Moreover, the American thrived in Major League Soccer where he won two Golden Boots, amassing 109 goals in 190 appearances for the New England Revolution.</p>
<p>Now, as a soccer analyst for ESPN, he regularly provides insight into the USMNT.</p>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-344994 alignright" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20210909_WST_344980_Twellman-New-England-Revolution-300x453.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=453" alt="Taylor Twellman" width="300" height="453" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Twellman-New-England-Revolution-300x453.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Twellman-New-England-Revolution-596x900.jpg 596w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Twellman-New-England-Revolution-150x226.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/Twellman-New-England-Revolution.jpg 658w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div>
<p>In a conversation with World Soccer Talk, Twellman discussed the U.S.’s recent <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/09/09/usmnt-makes-progress-but-key-vulnerabilities-still-exist-says-u-s-world-cup-goalscorer/">victory in Honduras</a>, and where the team goes from here.</p>
<p>With the USMNT beginning their 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, it’s time to start deliberating what works for the team.</p>
<p>One of the glaring issues has to be the striker position. Currently, the United States holds perhaps their most talented roster ever. Furthermore, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest and Zack Steffen all compete at top European clubs in varying positions. There is obvious room for optimism in the United States Men’s National Team with this depth.</p>
<p>However, there is not a top player that occupies the striker position, at least not yet. A true No. 9 and an outlet to score goals holds back the offensive prowess of the talents on the roster.</p>
<p>Now, as seen in the U.S.’s recent victory over Honduras in the World Cup Qualifiers, the nation may have found their man.</p>
<h3>Taylor Twellman on Ricardo Pepi</h3>
<p>Ricardo Pepi is just 18. He is the second-youngest player for the USMNT to make his World Cup Qualifier debut.</p>
<p>His performance against Honduras showed a glimpse of his potential. The game-winning goal coupled with a pair of assists in his senior debut propelled the Americans to a 4-1 win on the road.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“This is a player we’ve heard about, in the circles of Major League Soccer, for about two-and-a-half years</em>,<em>”&nbsp;</em>Taylor Twellman said.</p>
<p><em>“I love everything about how active he is, how mobile he is. But, most importantly, everything is about scoring goals.”</em></p></blockquote>
<div id="attachment_344999" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-344999" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-344999" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20210909_WST_344980_FC_Dallas_Toyota_Stadium-300x200.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=200" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/FC_Dallas_Toyota_Stadium-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/FC_Dallas_Toyota_Stadium-600x400.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/FC_Dallas_Toyota_Stadium-150x100.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/FC_Dallas_Toyota_Stadium-768x512.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/FC_Dallas_Toyota_Stadium-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/09/FC_Dallas_Toyota_Stadium-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-344999" class="wp-caption-text">In his third season at FC Dallas, Ricardo Pepi has over a third of the club’s total goals. (Photo by Rick Yeatts)</p></div>
<p>For Pepi, goals are obviously his top priority. One goal in one game is not a bad ratio. Albeit, that’s a small sample size. Furthermore, he has <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/usa.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11 goals</a> in 21 appearances for FC Dallas in the 2021 MLS regular season.</p>
<p>His now-14 goals for FC Dallas rank him <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/record-chaser-where-ricardo-pepi-stands-among-top-scoring-teenagers-in-mls-histo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fourth-all-time</a> in MLS goals scored by a teenager. Also, let’s remember that he is still 18. There will still be time for him to score a few more in his teenage years.</p>
<p>In his one appearance, his ability transferred seamlessly to the international game. Moreover, that is no easy task when playing on the road in CONCACAF.</p>
<h3>A true No. 9</h3>
<p>Taylor Twellman played the No. 9 position. He knows when someone has what it takes to play the role.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“The No. 9 position has never been a question for the United States over the last 24 or 25 years.”&nbsp;</em>Twellman said.</p>
<p><em>“It is now.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>With the likes of Clint Dempsey leading the line for a decade, the U.S. had a reliable presence in front of goal. His retirement left a void that no player has truly stepped into. Ricardo Pepi may be that name to fill the gap.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“If Ricardo Pepi is playing at this level, and he is by no means a finished product,… what does that do to all the other players?”</em></p>
<p><em>“It completes the system.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Christian Pulisic likes to play wide, get creative and come inside. He bounces off the likes of Timo Werner or Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea. Gio Reyna’s link-up play with Erling Haaland at Borussia Dortmund allows him to flourish. Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams can take on more of a playmaker role when they have a reliable presence up top. Internationally, these players do not have that same talent.</p>
<div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1121830570&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true" width="100%" height="200" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start">﻿</span></iframe></div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc; line-break: anywhere; word-break: normal; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-weight: 100;"><a style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" title="Stark Differences Between FOX &amp; CBS World Cup Qualifying Coverage" href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/stark-differences-between-fox-cbs-world-cup-qualifying-coverage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stark Differences Between FOX &amp; CBS World Cup Qualifying Coverage</a></div>
<p>Now, let’s not compare an 18-year-old that plays for FC Dallas to the world’s top strikers. Just for the international team, these players need an outlet than can steadily and consistently provide goals.</p>
<p>One game in, and Ricardo Pepi is doing just that.</p>
<h3>Building on a win</h3>
<p>Looking at the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/09/09/usmnt-makes-progress-but-key-vulnerabilities-still-exist-says-u-s-world-cup-goalscorer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USMNT’s win</a> over Honduras holistically, there is legitimate reason for optimism in the American camp.</p>
<p>When manager Gregg Berhalter released his starting XI against Honduras, everyone raised an eyebrow or two. Four players made their World Cup Qualifiers debut in a seemingly must-win game. Now, with a 4-1 win and a crucial three points, these young players have confidence and experience with a come-from-behind victory on the road.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“You can say you know what it is going to feel like,”</em> Taylor Twellman said,&nbsp;<em>“it is not until you do it.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Taylor Twellman added that even the most experienced players looked shaky during this three-game stretch. Notably, John Brooks came off at halftime against Honduras due to his performance and a trailing scoreline.</p>
<div id="attachment_275574" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-275574" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-275574" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20210909_WST_344980_gregg-berhalter-300x221.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=221" alt="" width="300" height="221" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2019/07/gregg-berhalter-300x221.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2019/07/gregg-berhalter-150x111.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2019/07/gregg-berhalter-600x443.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2019/07/gregg-berhalter-200x148.jpg 200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2019/07/gregg-berhalter.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-275574" class="wp-caption-text">Photo credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</p></div>
<p>Whatever people made of Gregg Berhalter’s decision leading up to the game, he nailed his substitutions. Ironically, that comes off the back of some criticism for waiting too long to make changes in their 1-1 draw with Canada.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“This could be a pivotal moment for the United States under Berhalter,”&nbsp;</em>Twellman noted.</p>
<p><em>“However, I think we’re going to get a real good idea of that come October.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>In October, the USMNT plays another set of three games. The team welcomes Jamaica and Costa Rica for home games, separated by a trip to Panama.</p>
<p>With five points from three games, Twellman says the team is slightly behind pace. The draw against Canada felt like a massive disappointment. But, the thumping victory over Honduras made amends.</p>
<p>Expect Ricardo Pepi to continue to appear on the scoresheet for the Americans.</p>


Taylor Twellman understands goal-scoring for the United States Men's National Team. The former striker believes a new name on the USMNT provides excitement.

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Twellman says Ricardo Pepi is answer to its most glaring problem