DISQUS

todd · 1 year ago

its all coming together very well...and gray even changes himself a bit to be more appealing to americans. its working great!

Kartik · 1 year ago

I have to fault ESPN for not showing scores of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers that don't involve the US but affect the US.

I watched Mexico yesterday and they got too gift calls late in the second half to get their two goals one off a FK one off a PK.

Second choice Sven as I call him has his work cut out for him. I'm not sure about all my comments about how much better the US is Mexico. Belize is ranked 172nd, 51 spots BELOW Barbados and they almost ended up in a nill nill draw with them. The US will still struggle to qualify but Mexico is going to flat out miss the World Cup unless Sven works wonders.

tampasoccer · 1 year ago

Seconded, Gaffer. Gray went berserk in a typical fashion when Turkey tied the game with "when people ask me why millions love this game, play them this match and ask them to not get excited". Priceless!!!
Gray disagrees with a lot of the yellow cards and the foul calls so far. Not sure if I agree with him all the time, but there is no question that Rae and Gray make fantastic pair behind the mic and enhance the viewing pleasure.

Anonymous · 1 year ago

Its an interesting pairing, they are the best 2 for sure but Andy does talk over Derek a fair bit and then apologise - they will get better still I think and I am sure Tommy is none too thrilled to be relegated to the Switzerland type games...

brian g · 1 year ago

I agree, Gray has been a treat to listen to, especially when compared with Tommy, who generally has little of substance or interest to say on any topic not involving onion bags and their state of bulged-ness. On top of his solid analysis, I love his enthusiasm (though he's had some *fantastic* games to work with); feels like you're hearing it from a real fan, not another ESPN talking head.

@todd: How has Gray changed his shtick for an American audience? (Euro 2008 has been my first encounter with the man.)

eplnfl · 1 year ago

I think it is fair to say at this point well done by ESPN. Bringing in Gray and joining him with Rae is a master stroke. I happen to find Tommy Smyth enjoyable but I would admit he maybe past his prime.

The overall positive for ESPN is that in the opening round days they are giving 5 hours of prime soccer coverage to the American audience that they have not seen before. Even the last WC seen on ESPN/ABC was not as well covered and did not have as good and informative of a studio show.

Also, ESPN after the end of Sundays action went to live coverage of the USA qualifier. It was quite a weekend for soccer on American TV, which started with the ESPN MLS coverage on Thursday night.

Lets me thankful!

todd · 1 year ago

@brian g...i think his explanations about why the game is so great, almost defending it is somewhat of an olive branch to americans. also he engages discussions about the united states (boston is a nice city, the nba finals and why he is rooting for LA) and overall i think he is doing something american soccer fans struggle with...not being elitist and snobby.

nick s · 1 year ago

Gray's job with Sky in the UK is really built on analysis, and that's the area that ESPN remains at its weakest: talking formations and marking and tactics. He might be tempted by the idea of playing ringer for tournaments that are BBC/ITV only, but ESPN might be better off paying a retainer to make HT and FT punditry less like filling dead air.

He's a polarising figure on Sky for Premier League fans, but what I've liked about his ESPN coverage is a refusal to condescend. The assumption he conveys is that you're watching because you're interested, and you deserve to get something out of the commentary.

tim · 1 year ago

andy gray okay but his knowledge of the laws of the game is lacking for someone who actually played the game. overall anyone is better than tommy smyth who is dreadful and can only criticize the play once he sees it in slow motion. he reminds me of elmer fudd. julie foudy is embarassingly inarticulate ,doesnt sound too smart, think she would have got it together after a few years. i like adrian healy and derek rae. the nimrods hosting in hartford just plain suck.

Footy Fan · 1 year ago

Gray hates Germany. I don't wanna see that racist being involved in commenting the first half-final.

Hudsonland · 1 year ago

A nation is not the same thing as a race. Hating Germany is a duty, not racism.

kkfla737 · 1 year ago

Germans are an ethnic group and in fact Anglos, Scandinavians and many French are in fact "German" in lineage. I fancy myself as some of you know as an amateur historian of Roman times and the people who now populate much of Northern Europe are almost entirely derived from the Germanic nations of people. Hating Germany is not a duty. It's not proper to "hate" anyone, particularly a nation whose own self guilt about its past has made an expression of German nationalism passe even in Germany! The Germans are some of scum of history no doubt, but hatred doesn't solve anything or change history.

Hudsonland · 1 year ago

I didn't say Germans, I said Germany, by which I meant the German National Football Team. Hating Germany is fine and is in no way racist.

Or are all USMNT fans who would claim to hate Mexico also racists?

kkfla737 · 1 year ago

good point Hudsonland. I hate the Mexican nat'l team, yet love mexico and mexican people.

Footy Fan · 1 year ago

All I'm saying is that I don't like Gray as a commentator. Half the stuff he says is not very comprehensible and definitely not neutral. He dislikes everything that is german and I'm not sure whether he likes the turks. I just don't want to hear 90 minutes of that guy's scum talk.

Hudsonland · 1 year ago

Can you give me just one example of an anti-German comment from him?

For example, if you were claiming an anti-Italian bias then his 'good luck Cesc' comment would be a valid point, although having watched 120 minutes of anti-football who can blame him for wanting to avoid commentating on Italy in up to 2 more games?

I can't remember the earlier games but he seemed to be very clear that Germany were the better team against Portugal. I guess he just had the audacity to point out that Ballack fouled Ferreira for the second goal, which was ... true.

Gray has been calling the games as he sees them, and few neutrals would disagree with him.

Rickstar · 1 year ago

I Think Andy Gray & Derek Rae are a good pair when commenting FOOTBALL games and should do the Final

Anonymous · 1 year ago

Andy Gray is an idiot.

Anon lady · 1 year ago

Iloved it , loved it, loved it! Keep Andy Gray.

john paul · 1 year ago

Gray's bias AGAINST both Germany and Italy in their respective matches with numerous inappropriate comments about the teams, individual players and referees was an embarrassment to responsible journalism and impartiality. He needs to go back to the hinterlands of Scotland.

Joe · 1 year ago

Andy Gray knows about soccer as much as Julie Foudy.

Pete · 1 year ago

I thought Andy Gray was a treat to listen to and brought a soft-spoken expertise -- coupled with Scottish charm -- to the tournament. He did "favor" some teams, but only after their play seemed to warrant it. You would not tell he was "pro Spain" until near the very end, when their play clearly showed them the best team in the tournament. Ditto/vice versa his being "anti-Germany." His critiques of the officials were pretty balanced and often amusing -- as were many of his comments.
I'd never heard him before (it was a treat that ESPN finally carried UEFA 2008) but really hope he's around for more coverage here in the US.