Well done, Arlo White and Seattle Sounders
by Steve Davis on Apr 17, 2010 6:00 PM EDT
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What a joy it is to watch a match called by the excellent Arlo White,
White is new to MLS but certainly not new to soccer – and it shows. He is a significant upgrade from
Kudos also to the Seattle Sounders organization, which continues to set the standard for front office excellence. Seattle had a problem. They identified it and fixed it. See ... it ain't that hard! You just have to admit you have a problem.
White demonstrates how you don’t need two men in the booth. It’s OK to have two commentators so long as they understand the economy of words. And frankly, so many of them don’t. There’s surely a feeling from each individual that if they aren’t saying enough, they aren’t justifying their paycheck. While it’s commendable from a work-ethic standpoint, it doesn’t produce the best broadcast, as the pair goes Chatty Kathy-ing away, distracting from the game on the field rather than enhancing it.
White shows that one man who is right for the job can be so, so much more effective than two men who really aren’t up for it.
Not only is his call of the match exemplary – he does the little things so many announcers don’t, like identifying the players who make the important challenges – he’s also a master at quickly assimilating the relevant information. Thus, he can pick out the story, quickly
distill it and feed it to the listeners in intelligent ways.
Dig, if you will, these words he supplied for the celebratory picture: These were his final words in today’s exciting 1-0 win for
“We’ve had the four minutes [of extra time]! … The theme of the season so far has been about finishing chances and finishes games.
“And it s all over!
“The lesson was learned last week against
“You’d expect that sort of intelligence from a Harvard graduate. Well played, young Michael. He’s all smiles. It should be no surprise that he is our Man of the Match.
“The final score at Qwest. Seattle Sounder 1,
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Arlo White
Once a week on the sounders fc homepage he’ll do a review and preview of the upcoming match and it’s always a midweek must watch.
Today was my first game watching an Arlo broadcast
Had to give away my tickets for today as it was my daughter’s second birthday or I actually would’ve been there. But watching with Arlo calling the game was incredible. Especially the end when Fucito scored. With his commentary combined with the celebrations on the field after the goal, you’d think they’d have just won the MLS cup. Incredible, passionate commentating the whole time, and he stepped it up and bought it when the goal was scored. I almost wasn’t disappointed to not be there in person.
funny
because I watched the KC broadcast and it is awful. I was saying to a buddy of mine how much it sucks to watch a game with commentators who talk way too much and don’t let you get into the game because they’re constantly talking, usually about irrelevant subject matter.
by I need more Esteban on Apr 18, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree and disagree
I thought he did a masterful job, but I keep finding myself wondering why the need for someone with an English accent? I know they usually come (and in this case clearly) come with knowledge of the game but are we again saying that there isn’t a person from Seattle’s past that could do the job?
Just not sure about the guys with accents, makes it seem like our announcers are inferior and I would say that clearly isn’t the case. One only has to look at the development of a guy like Brian Dunseth who has quickly gone from player, to radio guy, and now one of the main guys for FSC. There must be other players who can make that move and give MLS more of a “North American” feel?
What's the problem with having
What’s the problem with someone having an accent? Seriously, answer the question.
And yes, we are saying that there isn’t a person from Seattle’s past that could do the job. Other than Kevin Calabro, there are not any top level play-by-play men in the city. Certainly, no reasonable options from the city’s soccer history (though some of them offer decent pre- and post-game analysis).
Doing play-by-play is a skill. Arlo has it. He’s has been a great addition to the Sounders and I hope that he’s here to stay!
There isn't a problem
I just find it funny that people tend to think the guy is great because he has an accent, he did a nice job. Calling a match by oneself is a tough task, usually a two man crew will do a better job because it breaks up what is usually a rambling commentary.
I watched the match and thought he did a nice job, nothing spectacular, I just think it is a bit pandering to people by getting “the english” to commentary, like it all of a sudden adds credibility.
I think too often we build a “dependency” on “English” broadcasters, I don’t think teams or the league do themselves a favor by relying on commentators with accents, I also don’t think MLS does itself any favors by broadcasting a match a week in Spanish only. Arlo is a good commentator, but I just have a really hard time that with all the resources of the Seattle Sounders, that a “English guy” was the only option. The league needs an identity of its own and the longer we borrow talent, the longer it will take to establish it. Just my opinion.
But don’t you think that any team would want the best commentator available?
I don’t want him simply because he’s English. You seem to be saying that because he’s English, we should value his contribution less. I liked Calabro fine (and in fact love Calabro’s work on basketball, another sport I love) but Arlo White just has the background with soccer that Calabro doesn’t. After hearing three matches called by White now, as well as all the content he’s been involved with on the Sounder’s site, I’m completely sold. I really cannot imagine Seattle having a better play-by-play announcer, be he English, American, Canadian, Spanish, or Martian.
BTW
I do agree with you that the knee-jerk reaction in this country is to get an English commentator or announcer and that it isn’t always the right thing to do. I think my favorite soccer commentator at ESPN is Alexi Lalas, for example. I just think that annoucers should be judged on their merits, not their accents, and if you look at White’s mertis, they are many and impressive.
Should he be disqualified because he's English?
His Englishness wasn’t what got him the job – it was his knowledge of the game. Kevin Calabro, last year’s announcer, was a Seattle legend through-and-through (he used to call the Sonics). But he knew zero (or “nil”, if you want) about soccer (or “football”) and, more importantly, displayed no willingness to learn. I’m much happier with White.
by The King of Norway on Apr 18, 2010 9:44 AM EDT reply actions
Disagree on Calabro
Calabro’s problem (IMO) was not that he didn’t want to learn, it’s that he’s been calling basketball (very well) for quite a long time and it takes a while to soak up the nuances of another sport sufficiently to comment compellingly while play is going on. Calabro had probably never watched soccer before he got the Sounder’s job. Given a few years I think he would have been fine given how talented he has shown himself to be while calling bball games. Arlo White brings a huge amount of experience immediately along with tremendous talent in bringing the match to life, whether you’re watching it unfold on TV or listening on the radio in your car.
He's well thought of
in the UK too, able to cover cricket and American Football as well as soccer.
magnificent!
Magnificent job by the Sounders finally getting a true football announcer. Frankly I’d much rather listen to him than the other guy!
Spot On
I caught the Seattle game online this weekend and was very surprised by the quality of the commentating, though had no idea who the guy was. Thanks for the post, and I look forward to watching more games with his commentating.
Steve, doesn't this piece not jive with a recent post...
about the World Cup announcers all being either English or Irish? Back then, it was quite a different opinion. You’ve got this one right, although I’ve never heard the guy work. If you’re knowledgable, and know when to talk and when not to, then you are more than likely a good play by play guy. If you talk to hear your head rattle (see JP Delacamara & John Harkes), then you take away from the game itself. This is the main problem with our announcers. They either don’t know the game or talk waaaaaay too much.
Good announcers that we have here stateside: Eric Wynalda, Max Bretos, Mark Rogandino, Chris on FSC (can’t remember his last name, does MLS games with MR).
Chad the Ref
I don't know why you would say that
As you seem to agree with him both times. (Although not on who the announcers would be.)
His other post was in the vein of “surely, we can find someone in all of America who can occupy at least one of the spots on US World Cup Broadcasts” not “it’s a sin to have a British accent.”
Why is it so hard for so many to see this difference?
'Gentlemen' he said,
'I don't need your organization,
I've shined your shoes,
moved your mountains and marked your cards,
but Eden is burning.
Either get ready for elimination,
or else your heart must have the courage,
for the changing of the guards.'
Steve's other post went something like...
It’s a slap in the face to American commentators to have all British/English/Irish/Scottish/Welsh accents (left out Northern Irish, oops!) and no American accents. Would I like to have an “American” commentator, sure! And now that Max Bretos is at ESPN, great, I think he would be a great addition. But JP Delacamara and John Harkes make my intestines clinch. I don’t want them. But if that’s all they can get is British, well, so be it. Does it turn off the casual American fan? Maybe. But they won’t stick around after USA is eliminated, hopefully in the Quarters (wishful thinking? You bet!!!)
Steve, sorry, just saw your comment below. I would like to have a mix too, but if there is no one really good, then let the British Invasion begin!!!!
Chad the Ref
by Chad the Ref on Apr 20, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Understatement
Lets face it, American culture simply does not produce the same level of concise wit, poetic description or caustic understatement that the Brits have in spades. It makes for better announcing and all that we have are guys who get excited and can convey emotion. The accent is the least of it.
Radio
I was forced to leave the game after the first half and caught the second half entirely on radio. If you think Arlo makes the game better on TV, he is a godsend on radio. The intelligence and storytelling that his call embodies really brought the game alive in a way that Calabro (who I really wanted to like) simply could not. Thanks Arlo – (and my apologies to the people behind me on I-5 when Fucito scored!)
The KC game was the first time I had heard him and I was very impressed.
I didn’t think I would enjoy a one man booth, but Arlo White knows his stuff. I’m looking forward to hearing him this year.
Who cares about the accent?
I want an annoucer who knows the game and who can explain what is happening in clear, concise words without babbling all of the time. I do understand that when you are doing both tv and radio at the same time, you will explain much more than would be necessary if you were only doing television.
Regardless, White is excellent. He knows the game, and frankly you can’t do play by play if you don’t know the game. Calabro tried hard but he knew nothing about the sport.
I don’t get the accent thing. Who cares?
by Angus Podgorny on Apr 20, 2010 12:33 PM EDT reply actions
Well precisely.
The no 1 radio broadcaster covering the English Prem has an Irish accent, the main pundit on Match of the Day is Scottish. As long as they speak the language and know their shit, who cares?
Accent-smaccent
It wasn’t an accent thing for those of us that were against bringing in a limey, and lets face it, you new the new announcers was coming from England. It really boils down to two things.
One, the need for American fans to rely on England as their source for how soccer should be done, even in the US.
Two, the idea that an American had a strike, probably two or three, against him by those same fans.
The whole thing was rediculous. That being said, I thought Arlo needed to knock the cover off the ball to win over people like me ( lot of baseball talk, huh ? )
He did. ( See my comment below ) but I do hope the he develops an American style something a little more cool.
Impressed
I was against Arlo taking the place of Calabro, who is one of the announcing talents of our generation and an American hometown hero.
BUT, I have to say to those that said pre-game homework was not done by Calabro, if you are comparing it to White, I have to agree. Arlo is amazing. I always thought it was a bit of a slap in the face to the American to say he was unprepared, but man White really got even a long time Sounder fans information they didn’t know.
The other thing that I liked about Arlo was his enthusiasm for the MLS game, maybe even a little over the top, when play was bad, he didn’t call it out, but he didn’t feel the need to dampen any comments ie. saying he is a “great player” not a “great player in MLS” etc.
