The American Fan needs better commentary. Too often commentary contains incorrect information, based on who-knows-what, but definitely not based on the FIFA Laws of the Game. If the American Fan is going to develop a passion for the game of soccer as is the case in many other countries of the world, they need to understand “the beautiful game.” This blog intends to debunk the bad statements of soccer game commentators.
Let’s begin with John Harkes during the 3/25/2010 Philadelphia Union vs Seattle Sounders FC game. Mr. Harkes stated in the 12th minute of the game after a Philadelphia Union’s player is flagged for offside, “I think he’s even, actually. The referee has the right back. You can see
Mr. Harkes stated in the 14th minute of the game that he did not think the foul also deserved a booking. If Mr. Harkes were a trained soccer referee, which obviously he is not, he would understand the booking. But while he is not a trained referee he voices his uneducated opinion on the referee’s choice to caution a player. Fans learn bad information from Mr. Harkes comments.
Harkesy is a wealth of mis-information. On the second goal last night, he was claiming that the defender had kept the scorer onside, when in fact, the goalkeeper was the "second" defender that had kept the Montero "on".
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, I'm looking forward to reading your blog!
Harkesy is certainly flawed as a "color guy," and, from the word on the street, as a person. However, American commentary has come a long way since the days of Jack Edwards play-by-play for ESPN. Also promising is the increasing marginalization of one Tommy Smyth. The schtick got old quickly and that's all there was to him, no insights and, beyond that, that sense that the game he was watching was being played in a parallel universe to that which you were watching. At least we've reached the point when having a UK accent isn't enough to get a person on the air.
ReplyDeleteSee, I am reading your blog Darrell-great idea.