US Soccer TV

I was perusing the Everton website today, and noted the ballyhooed arrival of Landon Donvan on a 10-week loan spell from LA Galaxy. And I started thinking how cool it would be if Landon, if deemed match-fit by the always worried-looking David Moyes, might feature as a substitute against Arsenal this Saturday. Landon Donovan playing against one of the feature clubs of not just Britain, but also all of Europe.

With my imagination still captured with this sparkly set of thoughts, I think to myself

“Who will televise this game?”

“Surely Fox Soccer Channel or Setanta Sport will broadcast it.”

I check the FSC schedule and no dice. I check the Setanta listings...nothing. This means that the match will happen as scheduled, but is effectively blacked-out in the United States.

(The Arsenal v. Everton match was later added to the Setanta Sport schedule on Saturday, January 9)

We’ve finally gotten to the point here where there is a ton of football coverage in this country. Sadly, there aren’t many matches that feature American players that might actually score a goal. I was hoping that the ManU v. Leeds match would feature former Duke University striker Mike Grella. Grella rode the pine for the entire match, and I feel quite fortunate that I slept through the match’s 5 a.m. Pacific Time kick-off.

The last time I saw a match featuring a United States forward was Bolton v. Hull. Altidore was subbed at the 55th minute for Nick Barmby.

US Soccer should consider beginning a great venture. A venture that might generate a serious amount of capital that could be used to bolster and improve both MLS and the United State’s national team programs.

US Soccer TV.

Not the snappiest name, but that’s what the ad guys are there for.

US Soccer would purchase the rights to televise any match featuring a player who is eligible to suit up for the United States in international play. No need to peruse listings from three or more different providers. No bouncing between Gol TV, Setanta Sport, and Fox Soccer Channel.

Want to see the best we got play overseas - done. It would be the equivalent of state television, except in this case only for the purpose of broadcasting soccer. It could feature all matches of US National teams. It could be available in glorious High Definition. They could carry advertising from all of the corporate sponsors of US Soccer and MLS. Most Americans probably don’t know that American forward Seb Harris plays at Northampton Town in England’s League Two. US Soccer TV could change all that. Kenny Cooper Jr. starting for 1860 Munich in the 2 Bundesliga - no problem. Rangers reserves match featuring DaMarcus Beasley - done.

We read about the exploits of Marcus Tracy, Mike Grella, Jemal Johnson, and many other American players overseas. We seldom get to see them play though, and that is quite sad really.

Sunil...US Soccer TV.......think about the possibilities....or in a language you better understand, think about the dollars - the millions of dollars.