As former soccer voice JP Dellacamera moves to Fox Soccer Channel, ESPN brings in another British voice to call soccer, this time promoting Adrian Healey to become the main play-by-play caller for Major League Soccer games. Adrian has experience calling MLS having been the voice for the New England Revolution on Fox Sports Net and Comcast SportsNet New England. He called World Cup games for ESPN in both 2006 and 2010. He’s a solid announcer, but not as good as JP in my opinion. Anyway, ESPN will team Adrian with JP’s former partner, John Harkes.
Former FSC MLS announcer and host Max Bretos joins ESPN to call selected MLS games. Here’s the full press release from ESPN.
Adrian Healey Named Lead Voice for ESPN’s Major League Soccer Telecasts
John Harkes, Alexi Lalas, Max Bretos, Rob Stone and Taylor Twellman Return
ESPN has named Adrian Healey, a play-by-play commentator from the network’s critically acclaimed 2010 FIFA World Cup team, as its primary voice for Major League Soccer telecasts beginning this season. Healey will pair with former U.S. Men’s National Team captain and ESPN 2010 FIFA World Cup match analyst John Harkes in the booth.
Healey will make his debut in the 2011 Major League Soccer season-opener – Los Angeles Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC – Tuesday, March 15, at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV.
Healey joined ESPN in 2003 as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN International’s coverage of several European leagues, including UEFA Champions League. He also hosts ESPN Soccernet Press Pass, the popular soccer opinion and debate program aired on ESPN International’s English-language networks around the world, and seen online at ESPN.com/soccer.
The new role is a return to Major League Soccer for Healey, who began his sports television career in the United States calling New England Revolution matches on regional networks.
South Africa 2010 was Healey’s second straight FIFA World Cup as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN and ABC, having been a commentator for Germany 2006. He was also a part of ESPN’s UEFA European Football ChampionshipTM 2008 (Euro 2008) coverage, including commentating on the title match – a 1–0 Spain victory over Germany.
Alexi Lalas, former U.S. Men’s National Team defender and a pioneer MLS player who became a team general manager/president with three league clubs, returns as analyst on ESPN’s MLS studio coverage. Lalas was one of the lead studio analysts for ESPN during South Africa 2010.
Former Fox Soccer Channel studio host and play-by-play commentator Max Bretos, who hosted the 2010 MLS Cup in Toronto, returns as studio host and play-by-play commentator for select matches. Veteran soccer reporter Rob Stone will continue to host MLS events and serve as a reporter. After his debut on ESPN in 2010, former Revolution striker Taylor Twellman will also serve as match and studio analyst.
The ESPN Deportes Spanish-language commentator team will include Richard Méndez (play-by-play) and former MetroStars forward Giovanni Savarese (analyst). The ESPN Deportes Radio teams will include Jorge Ramos (play-by-play) and Hernan Pereyra (analyst); Jairo Moncada (play-by-play) and analysts Jorge Ottati and Álvaro Riet; and Marcelo Masanti (play-by-play) and analysts Manuel Kun and Giovanni Scavia.
That will do it.
