NBC Sports Network is slowly transitioning to its summer schedule as the number of NHL games it has left to air is dwindling to single digits (one or two more games in the Eastern Conference Final, then Games 3 & 4 of the Stanley Cup Final).
This weekend, NBCSN will carry two MLS games and one International Friendly match between the US Men’s Soccer Team and Scotland.
It also marks the return of veteran soccer play-by-play man JP Dellacamera to the national stage as he’ll call the Sporting KC vs. San Jose Earthquakes game on Sunday.
The main MLS on NBC soccer team of Arlo White and Kyle Martino will call the US vs. Scotland match Saturday night from Jacksonville.
And also on Saturday, NBC Sports Network will air the MLS Cup rematch between Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy.
We have the details below.
THREE SOCCER GAMES – INCLUDING USA FRIENDLY AGAINST SCOTLAND – HIGHLIGHT THIS WEEKEND’S COVERAGE ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK
USA vs. Scotland in Primetime Saturday at 8 p.m. ET
Rematch between 2011 MLS Champion LA Galaxy against Houston Dynamo Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET
San Jose at Kansas City Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET
“These guys take massive pride in representing their country. I think Scotland will feel the full force of that in Jacksonville on Saturday.” – Arlo White on USA TeamNEW YORK – May 23, 2012 – NBC Sports Network’s soccer coverage will expand this weekend to include coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team against Scotland in a ‘friendly,’ live from EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be seen as a litmus test for each team’s overall performance as the countdown to the World Cup Qualifiers inch closer.
Additionally, two MLS games will air this weekend beginning Saturday with a 2011 MLS Cup rematch between Houston and 2011 MLS Champions LA Galaxy at 2:30 p.m. ET, followed by Sunday’s game in Kansas City as Sporting KC host the San Jose Earthquakes at 4:30 p.m. ET.
COMMENTATORS: The NBC Sports Group’s lead soccer commentary team of Arlo White (@arlowhite, play-by-play), and Kyle Martino (@kylemartino, “Between the Benches” analyst) will call the game in Jacksonville. Veteran soccer commentator JP Dellacamera (play-by-play) and former MLS player Brian Dunseth (analyst) will call the MLS coverage with Ivan Carter, from Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, joining them on Sunday to host pre-game, halftime and post-game segments live from LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Steve Busfield The Guardian sports blogger on Arlo White: “Arlo is fantastic. My Seattle friends all miss him, but you can’t blame NBC for picking him up.”
WHITE ON THE USA TEAM: “This is a tremendous thrill for us. We can’t wait to show the U.S. National team as they prepare for the start of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Head Coach Jürgen Klinsmann has some star names to call upon against Scotland. Clint Dempsey has become a massive star in the English Premier League, Landon Donovan is an MLS Champion with LA, and Tim Howard is regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Then there are the young players like Terrence Boyd and Juan Agudelo who are desperate to make an impact and launch their international careers. The battle for international caps is intense. These guys take massive pride in representing their country. I think Scotland will feel the full force of that in Jacksonville on Saturday.”
MARTINO ON THE MATCH: “It’s business time. Only three games left for the United States before World Cup Qualifying begins. Scotland will prove to be a great test for Klinsmann and his side as they make their final preparations.”
UPCOMING MLS GAMES ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK: (All Times ET, Home Team Listed First)
Sun., June 17, Chicago vs. New York, 5 p.m.
Sun., June 24, New York vs. D.C, 7 p.m.
Fri., June 29, Kansas City vs. Chicago, 8 p.m.
And I’ll have another soccer-centric post coming up.
