Friday night, the Seattle Sounders host the Houston Dynamo live on NBC Sports Network at 10 ET. The former voice of the Sounders, Arlo White returns to his old stomping grounds of CenturyLink Field in Seattle to call the game for NBC Sports Network. Kyle Martino will be on the field in between the benches as the analyst.
NBC SportsTalk host Russ Thaler will be the site host for pregame, halftime and postgame.
Here’s the press release from NBC Sports Network.
NBC SPORTS GROUP’S MLS COVERAGE CONTINUES FRIDAY WITH HOUSTON DYNAMO AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS
NBC Sports Network Coverage Starts at 10 p.m. ET
“If you are new to MLS, the scene at CenturyLink Field on Friday will blow your mind.” – Arlo WhiteNEW YORK –March 21, 2012 –The NBC Sports Group’s MLS season coverage continues Friday at 10 p.m. ET on the NBC Sports Network when the Seattle Sounders host the Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo have opened the season with two straight wins, while the Sounders scored a 3-1 victory on Saturday against Toronto FC in their MLS season opener, with forward David Estrada scoring the club’s third hat trick in its history.
COMMENTATORS: The team of Arlo White (@arlowhite, play-by-play), and Kyle Martino (@kylemartino, “Between the Benches” analyst) will call the game from CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. NBC SportsTalk host Russ Thaler (@RussThaler) will host the pre-game, halftime and post-game segments live from the game site, with White and Martino.
White and Martino have received praise for their work this season. Soccer America said White is “one of the best MLS commentators around” and called Martino, “NBC’s insider analyst, not simply a guy with a mike.” Additionally, The Tampa Times said NBC Sports Network’s coverage, “looked great and sounded even better with Kyle Martino between the benches, just like you might see on NBC’s hockey coverage.”
WHITE AND MARTINO BREAK DOWN THE MATCHUP:
WHITE: “If you are new to MLS, the scene at CenturyLink Field on Friday will blow your mind. 38,000 fanatics create a wall of noise and a sea of ‘rave’ green. Striker David Estrada is their new hero after scoring a hat-trick last week and with Fredy Montero, Mauro Rosales and Alvaro Fernandez marauding forward, they are built to score goals. Houston was beaten by the LA Galaxy in last year’s MLS Cup and I think Brad Davis could open a can of baked beans with that wonderful left foot of his.”
MARTINO: “Opening up a season with a long string of road games is the toughest challenge MLS has to offer. Like many MLS teams before them, Houston is now facing that very situation with seven consecutive away games before they return home to open up at BBVA Compass Stadium. They are already off to a better start than most with two wins in a row against teams from the stacked Western Conference. However, this weekend their resolve will be put to the test when they face a very talented Seattle squad who are playing angry after being dropkicked out of CONCACAF Champions League.”
UPCOMING MLS GAMES ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK: (All Times ET, Home Team Listed First)
Friday, Mar. 30 — D.C United vs. FC Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 31 — LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution, 11 p.m.
Saturday, April 14 — Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew, 3:30 p.m.
That’s it.
