We have Hockey Night in Canada, Football Night in America, so why not a Soccer Night too? Starting this Friday, Fox Soccer Channel will repackage and rebrand its MLS games on Friday and Saturday nights as part of “Soccer Night in America”. There will be new graphics as well as a whole new video introduction. Fox Soccer Channel will provide full studio pregame, halftime and post game coverage. And Fox will bring in new cameras as well as provide clearer replays. This will be something to watch.
Here’s the Fox Soccer Channel press release.
FOX SOCCER INTRODUCES SOCCER NIGHT IN AMERICA
New Graphic-Look & High-Tech Production Elevates MLS on FOX Soccer
Los Angeles (May 3, 2011) – FOX Soccer, America’s premier soccer-only channel, is taking its live, HD coverage of Major League Soccer to the next level as it introduces SOCCER NIGHT IN AMERICA on Friday, May 6, when the expansion Portland Timbers host the Philadelphia Union. Exclusive coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. live from JELD-WEN Field, home to what has quickly become one of MLS’ most spirited fan experiences.
FOX Soccer already carries more MLS games than any other network, but now SOCCER NIGHT IN AMERICA delivers those matches in a slick new package. Re-designed, state-of-the-art graphics headline the new look, and along with the addition of super slow-motion camera technology, it creates a production style that draws FOX Soccer much closer to the world-renowned standards set by FOX Sports.
“We are essentially elevating FOX Soccer’s MLS broadcasts to match the game’s excitement and pace to ensure fans have a premium viewing experience,” said David Nathanson, FOX Soccer’s General Manager.
The new graphics package incorporates Vizrt technology, which provides digital, real-time 3D and virtual graphic displays for a crisp, 21st Century look. Super slow-motion cameras and digital recorders added to game coverage capture action at 90 frames per second compared to the 30 frames per second of traditional slow motion, thus providing stunningly clear replays, especially in HD.
Former U.S. National Team and MLS players Eric Wynalda and Christopher Sullivan team up for SOCCER NIGHT IN AMERICA’s” pre-game, halftime and post-game coverage. J.P. Dellacamera has the play-by-play, with former MLS standout Kyle Martino handling analysis in the booth and Brian Dunseth contributing sideline reports.
This inaugural “Soccer Night” falls in one of FOX Soccer’s 20 exclusive MLS broadcast programming windows. All remaining Friday and Saturday night MLS games on FOX Soccer come under the SOCCER NIGHT IN AMERICA banner.
For the latest MLS news, information and FOX Soccer’s 2011 telecast schedule, please visit http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/mls. For a complete list of FOX Soccer’s programming, please visit www.foxsoccer.com.
Remaining 2011 MLS Schedule on FOX Soccer (all times Eastern):
Friday, May 6, 2011 – Portland Timbers vs. Philadelphia Union, 10:30 PM
Saturday, May 14, 2011 – Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo, 9:00 PM
Friday, June 3, 2011 – Los Angeles Galaxy vs. DC United, 11:00 PM
Friday, June 10, 2011 – New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution, 8:30 PM
Saturday, June 11, 2011 – Seattle Sounders FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 10:00 PM
Friday, June 17, 2011 – Sporting Kansas City vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 8:30 PM
Saturday, June 25, 2011 – San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, 11:00 PM
Saturday, July 2, 2011 – DC United vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 9, 2011 – Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire, 10:30 PM
Saturday, July 16, 2011 – Seattle Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 4:00 PM
Saturday, July 23, 2011 – tbd, tbd
Friday, July 29, 2011 – Philadelphia Union vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 30, 2011 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, 7:30 PM
Friday, August 5, 2011 – Colorado Rapids vs. Columbus Crew, 9:30 PM
Saturday, August 13, 2011 – Sporting Kansas City vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, 8:30 PM
Saturday, August 20, 2011 – Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 10:00 PM
Saturday, August 27, 2011 – Chivas USA vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 PM
Friday, September 9, 2011 – Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids, 11:00 PM
Friday, September 16, 2011 – Portland Timbers vs. New England Revolution, 11:00 PM
Friday, September 23, 2011 – Sporting Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Union, 8:30 PM
Saturday, October 1, 2011 – Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 15, 2011 – Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 PM
Saturday, October 22, 2011 – tbd, tbd
And that’s it. Looking forward to the new package.
