Host Brandon Contes interviews head Apple MLS commentator Taylor Twellman. Brandon and Taylor discuss a wide range of topics including giving Tom Brady broadcasting advice, Lionel Messi in MLS, leaving ESPN for Apple, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:38: Excitement for start of MLS season
-1:51: Transition from pitch to booth
-3:29: Not giving bulletin board material when playing
-5:41: Times Taylor gave bulletin board material
-6:55: Robert Kraft’s involvement with the New England Revolution
-8:27: Tom Brady
-9:33: Broadcasting advice for Brady
-11:17: Apple’s first season in MLS
-12:30: Issues or complaints from fans about MLS on Apple
-13:22: MLS embracing streaming
-15:41: Lionel Messi effect for MLS
-17:01: Can one player make such an impact for MLS?
-18:26: MLS talent level compared to England
-20:01: Messi with the media
-20:53: Different feel when doing Messi’s matches
-21:46: Transition from ESPN to Apple
-23:41: Enjoying doing other shows like “SportsCenter” and “First Take”
-25:33: Complaints from viewers
-26:08: ESPN daytime programming not putting enough focus on soccer
-27:45: Is talent or management more reluctant to talk soccer?
-29:32: Talking soccer with Stephen A. Smith
-30:47: Twitter post on leaving ESPN
-32:20: “What are we doing?” clip
-35:14: Realistic the USMNT should’ve won a World Cup by now?
-36:54: What’s held the USMNT back from making the World Cup quarterfinals?
-38:41: Working the World Cup as a broadcaster
-40:05: United States hosting the World Cup
-41:14: Reservations about going to other countries to play
-42:47: Soccer industry handling concussions
-44:36: Movement to make changes happen during matches?
-46:12: Heading in youth sports
-47:02: Diagnosed concussions
-47:47: Effects from concussions
-49:12: Support from others when speaking about concussions
-51:08: MLS referee lockout and starting season with temporary refs
-51:59: Inter Miami’s 2024 season
-53:19: Messi backlash from China after missing Hong Kong friendly
-54:07 MLS season starting in February
-55:46: MLS players not named Messi that people should know about
This is the awful announcing podcast here’s your host Brandon contz alrighty welcome to episode 39 of the awful announcing podcast I’m your host Brandon ktis and this week we are joined by Apple’s lead soccer analyst Taylor twellman to uh preview the MLS regular season kicking off Taylor thanks
So much for taking some time to come on the podcast today how does the um the excitement for the start of the MLS season as a as a broadcaster compared to what it was when you were a player I thought you were GNA say compared to being guest number 39 on your beautiful
Podcast here Brandon that’s where I thought you were going with it I was going to say wait a minute guest 39 is way better than any MLS regular season um that’s a great question you know I’ve been around this league and in this league since 2002 which uh dates me a
Little bit but it’s been a um a surreal amount of growth when you look at where the league is the fact that you and I are doing a podcast talking about cities like Cincinnati Austin Nashville when you were asking me when I was playing if we would be in
Those cities with the league and in soccer specific stadiums the way we are now I would have said no way you’re completely impossible and yet here we are I’m in my hotel room in Fort Lauderdale getting ready for this season to kick off with Messi Suarez Alba buett
And in Miami so I it’s a different feeling but I feel very blessed um that I’ve stayed in the league and been around this league and and been a part of it for a long time I’m always curious about the transition from the the field to the the booth with professional
Athletes for you did becoming a broadcaster helped to sort of like fill the the void of not being able to play professionally anymore after you retired yeah man that’s a that’s a real good one uh for your listeners that don’t know um my career ended abruptly due to
Postconcussion syndrome and I had too many concussions and needed to make a decision and it was at age 28 unfortunately at 28 you’re not really sitting there planning your future you’re thinking about it but the World Cup in 2010 was right around the corner and who knows maybe even 20
4 and so it was very interesting for me that abruptly I had to make a decision I didn’t at the time want to go into media wanted to be part of the media quite honestly I was known as The Bull Durham I gave every cliche answer I never
Really gave any kind of real answer because I didn’t want to give bulletin board material to the opposition or to my teammates but anyone behind the scenes knew I was brutally honest and gave my opinion when asked um and so a real good buddy of mine Tom McNeely was
A big part of the broadcast at ESPN as a producer in the NBA and Major League Soccer and he convinced me to try it well here we are 14 and a half years later I’m still doing it so it’s kept me in the game it’s been a blessing and
Disguise but Brandon in all seriousness it’s been a real surprise to me because if you asked me right when I was retiring I would have said I I don’t think I want to do that has has the fact that when you were a player and you
Didn’t want to give an answer that could be a potential bulletin board material has that has that helped to kind of like carve the way you are as a broadcaster at all that mentality and just the fact that like you’re almost respectful of the the other other players who don’t
Want to offer anything up that could potentially be that type of bulletin board material I think by what are we doing Outburst tells you that I don’t really think before I speak um however I didn’t curse in that Outburst so I would argue that’s one of the greatest
Successes of ever in live television um listen anyone that knows me knows I’m going to give you my opinion and my honest opinion so I am as real as you’re gonna get and I throughout my years of doing this 14 years I have had many of conversations where feelings are hurt
People are upset but I’m an open book you can always call me and if the one thing the players and subjects that I’m covering understand is that they may disagree with me but they respect the fact that I’m doing the job and that’s difficult Brandon because at times I’ve
Had to critique friends I’ve had to critique people that I’ve known since I was five six years old uh but that’s the job that’s what I’m paid for and so I owe it to my employer to do the job and to give my opinion but I’m not gonna
Give a hot take or not gonna give an opinion unless I believe in it that I still struggle with even when I started not just to create content but I I I want to be authentic and at least the viewer and subjects being covered understand listen that that’s what he
Believes he’s completely off baser he’s completely wrong but at least he believes in that he’s done his homework he’s going to give you reasons why so that is a lot different than where I was as a player I gave every cliche every writer reporter hated interviewing me
Because they knew off camera I was different but when the camera came on it wasn’t anything on the record I wasn’t going to give it to him and I think I just did that out of protecting myself and protecting my teammates were you uh were you always successful in avoiding
Giving out that bulletin board material when you were a player yes the only time that I let my guard down is let me yeah actually I 2006 World Cup I ended up being the player that didn’t end up going even though I was MVP of MLS I
Gave a cliche answer then however when Major League Soccer got the second largest transfer window ever for an American player transfer fee excuse me for an American player in the beginning of 2008 that’s when I said honestly how I felt it wasn’t off color but it was
Honest and it was real and that was the first time that Brandon I said you know what the hell with it I’m done doing this it hasn’t got me anywhere and right now the story being told and my own fans not understanding exactly what’s going on with my contract situation they deser
I deserve to be uh transparent on that and that was maybe self-serving but it was also real because I think fans and even some of my teammates were completely being told a different story on that topic how was playing for a a team owned by Robert Craft everybody OB obviously Associates
Him with the New England Patriots but how involved was he with the uh the revolution yeah I mean the crafts were uh very listen I still live in Boston I’ve lived in Boston now more than any city of my life and I was born in Minneapolis Mota but raised in St Louis
Missouri so St Louis raised me but Boston made me and a big part of that is the craft family um I it’s difficult to quantify how um but that first year when I played for the revolution there was a family atmosphere with Robert with Jonathan uh even with the siblings that are not
Involved with the revolution uh philanthropically the way they gave back uh they taught me how to do that um Myra was a huge part of my inspiration in giving back to the city uh so the craft family were a huge part of it listen they’re a huge part of the
Success of Major League Soccer they believed in it when a lot of other people didn’t and they’re still there uh they’re building you know they built a $35 million transfer transfer what am I talking about training facility that’s been fantastic one of the best in the league do they need their own stadium
Yes absolutely if Robert was sitting here next to me he would say the exact same thing so would Jonathan but they were a huge part of uh Major League Soccer success but more so on a personal level they’re huge reason why I still call Boston home did you ever uh cross
Paths with Brady at all absolutely absolutely I cross pass a lot with Tom Brady um I would say junior seal was a nextdoor neighbor of mine in 2007 but it was right around 20072 2008 uh I saw more of Wes Welker Julian Edelman Junior SE than I did with Tom Brady but brusi
You know that whole group you know you’re you’re you’re in the same TR training facility at that time we we all had their training facility at Gillette Stadium so you ran into those guys a lot uh Tom Brady a lot earlier in his career uh not so much later on in his career
But we do share the same Bond uh with the love of golf and that’s oftentimes where our conversations went has uh has Tom ever reached out recently about the transition from athlete to broadcaster he has not um I think he’s going to find it an interesting conversation uh I know
A couple of people very close to him we had conversations about that but Tom directly has not what um I guess what what advice would you would you offer him as somebody that you played in the New England area you were very successful on the field you have now had
A very successful transition into becoming a broadcaster what advice would you give Tom don’t lie and what I mean by that is the fans will appreciate you even if you give an answer that goes against them they’ll respect you and appreciate you once the emotions out of
Of it 24 hours later fan comes from the word fanatic don’t worry about the fan just do the job you’re the greatest quarterback ever arguably one of the greatest athletes in their respective Sports ever and so that’s why you got hired you’re Tom Brady called as you see
It and if it’s raw and it’s unrefined doesn’t matter you’re Tom Brady so I I would just say be true to yourself he’s got one of the best work ethics I’ve ever seen in his profession if he takes that into uh commentating and doing games he’s going to be very good at it
But don’t worry about what the fan thinks don’t worry about selling them on something just be yourself call the game and I think they’ll respect it there’s always going to be someone that doesn’t like it and and the best advice I ever got was when you’re calling a game 50%
Of the fans are gonna love it and 50% are gonna hate it and if you’re doing that as a color analyst that means you’re actually giving an opinion and analyzing the game and it’s going to be against one team and that team those fans they’re going to hate it and not
Like it in the moment that means you’re doing something right and uh while while we’re talking about the Patriots I’ll just give a quick plug for uh for apple and note that NFL fans can watch the um the Dynasty on Apple TV plus as well um
How was Apple’s first season in its uh 10year agreement with the MLS from your perspective in in how it served the fans and how it served the league first off Brandon I don’t think MLS as a entity gets enough credit for the task that they tried to overtake last season in in
In producing these games and getting him out they’re not a television network they’re a professional sports league and so I don’t think they get enough credit for that so many of my colleagues so many people behind the scenes nobody’s even mentioned their name or recognized it and and I get it because it’s
Expected you want to have your games on air listen the picture was fantastic unbelievable we’ve never ever seen any picture of that quality in Major League Soccer I think the promotion around it regarding with from Apple one of the biggest if not the biggest marketing companies in the world and how they’re
Doing it and their plans for year two three four five just the ability to grow from that it was a success but also there’s real humility within the group and organization of knowing we laid the foundation but we’ve got to get better we’ve got to grow and we’ve got to take
It to a Next Level and hopefully we do that in here too were there any glaring issues or or complaints from fans that that prompted changes for this season that that people will see well the best part of it is any complaint that the fans had Apple listened to it Major League Soccer
Listened to it they’re all about the consumer and that’s the one thing that has impressed me the most about apples they care about the consumer and The Fan Experience and so when there were complaints and hiccups along the way as they’re all always will be no matter what you’re doing and where you
Are it was surprising to me how Apple really listens to it and really takes it in and regurgitates it and Cycles it around the company and tries to find better ground better footing to do that Brandon I think that was the most impressive thing from my perspective on
How Apple handled some of the criticisms there was um there was there was so much controversy earlier this year surrounding the NFL putting just one playoff game exclusively on on peacock but does the the MLS on on Apple TV sort of prove that a sport that fully
Embraces streaming can can work like is is this the future in your mind maybe the the distant future for a league like the NFL but but is this the future of sports on TV well we’re unique in the sense that we’re in over a hundred countries there’s no blackouts and so you’re
You’re getting it live so whether you and I doing this podcast and we’re in Spain or Argentina or Germany or anywhere around the world in over a hundred countries you can watch that game live that’s a little bit unique uh and different than the NFL putting a game on peacock I understand the
Controversy around the NFL whatnot but I also understand NBC saying hang on a minute we want to build our streaming platform there’s a way to do it and by the way the numbers supported that major league soccer also still has a partnership with Fox and and with their
Canadian partners and so they’re still the linear component but apple and Major League Soccer in year one proved you 100% can not only survive but you can thrive in this environment and I think that question is going to be more realistic in 2025 2026 2027 when we
Start to see some of these other media deals come up and see where they go and how much of a streaming component is there if not all of it is there but Apple wanted to own the whole kit in Kaboodle they did it and now they own it
In over a 100 countries and that’s why the messy in the introduction of that brought so many eyeballs that never have been there for Major League Soccer because there were no blackout rules you could see the highlights in 100 countries you could see Messi’s goal on social media there were just so many
Different hiccups and and rules that didn’t allow you to see zlatan’s debut with the LA Galaxy now you could quantify the magnitude of Messi and Apple tv in that relationship and I do think the blueprint is th there for other leagues to look into that for lack
Of a better word to put around that how how has that magnitude tude been how has the the messy effect been for MLS uh I just think we’re getting way more eyeballs than we ever have and and in large part is you put Messi on top of
Apple and it’s hard to quantify that I thought the relationship of apple and major League Soccer was going to do that but in a gradual way well Messi lit fire to that right and so Messi scores that opening goal against Cruz aul and leagues cup and then all of a sudden the
Entire world is only talking about Major League Soccer inter Miami and Lionel Messi they’ve never had that that also includes David Beckham with the LA Galaxy and the first thing David Beckham said to me was my introduction in entrance into Major League Soccer is light years behind of what Apple TV is
Going to do with Messi and how that opening four five games went in that month Brandon it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen and I took my girls to to Taylor Swift at Gillette Stadium Messi is Taylor Swift There are 20,000 plus sitting in the parking lot
Just to see the bus it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen and it’s going to be stories that I tell my grandkids about years to come because I don’t know if I’m ever going to experience a phenomenon like that like I did so in in this day and age can can one player make
That much of a difference in growing mls’s popularity in the US or is is the league fighting like such an uphill battle against the NFL even the NBA um that that it’s hard for one player to make such an impact no yeah I mean one player Messi’s arguably the greatest of
All time and so I’ve had more ex athletes I played in the LPGA uh event this January Ary where it’s all players from all different leagues alumni and whatnot I had more questions about Messi Major League Soccer than I’ve ever had in the previous three or four years combined so
There’s there’s a huge amount of growth there now in saying that you’re comparing it to the NFL I don’t care if Messi and Ronaldo are here you’re com in the United States of America you’re on the on the level of the NFL but we’re talking about the global sport Brandon
So it’s not NE necessarily about just the United States anymore and I think that’s where the conversation has to change Major League Soccer Now on the global market it’s a global brand it’s a global league and in Miami is at the topic of that conversation regarding
Everywhere in the world and so in large part yeah Messi has flipped the tables and flipped the league on its head I I just comparing it to the NFL I think is just it’s just a different world sure how would you compare the the an MLs talent to English soccer like can can
The top MLS teams compete in the Premier League I mean that’s a difficult one right because one is under a salary cap structure and roster restrictions and regulations and the other one is not uh the English Premier League is the best league in the world absolutely 100% uh
Spain Germany I would say Italy France those are your top five leagues in the world if you would asked me five years ago that major league soccer would be list in top leagues of the world in 2024 I’m not sure I would have believed it it is and that’s where it get becomes
Very interesting is when you look at the numbers of MLS athletes players playing in the big competitions the World Cup in 22 this summer 24 Copa America 24 Euros then ultimately in the Olympics this summer Brandon this League’s grown very quickly and in large part because it is
The most eclectic league in the world it’s the most diverse league in the world with so many countries being represented in this league that now it presents an opportunity for international players to broaden their perspective and playing a different league and that’s where Major League Soccer is in that conversation are they
In the conversation with the English Premier League I’d be disingenuous to your listeners and to your to your fans to say that the teams in Major League Soccer are 100% competing with Manchester City Chelsea Arsenal and those teams that’s just they operating in two different worlds how is um Messi with the media
Does does he offer good access he’s not like Tom Brady he’s not like LeBron James I wish uh Apple mandated that lonel Messi did more um he’s good when he’s available but I’m a little surprised he’s not been as available as what I what I think he
Should be listen the way I’ve always said this if LeBron James and Tom Brady can give you any interview whenever you want in their field of action on the field before pregame whatever it may be then lonel Messi has to do that in Major League Soccer um I I think we may change
That I think it may come I was just a little surprised that we didn’t get as much Lono Messi in front of the camera as I thought we are more so as I hoped we would have does it feel different when you’re broadcasting one of his
Matches it does uh absolutely it does um just in large part because you want to stay in the moment and realize that sooner or later his time’s going to come to an end and people are going to ask you you know I’ve had more questions and text messages and interview requests
Ever since Messi meets America and Apple TV and that documentary and just what it was like you know people are going to ask me a lot about what it was like and so I kind of want to soak it all in and remember it does my energy change nope
Does my research change nope um but it’s more so of me just taking it all in and understanding uh the magnitude of what this means when 20 30 years down the road I’m going to be asked questions about what was it like with lonel Messi in Major League Soccer how has the
Transition from from ESPN to Apple been for you like did it seem almost inevitable at some point that you’re going to leave ESPN as as they kept losing the uh the rights to various soccer events it’s a good question Brandon there was there was never a time
In my mind in my 13 years there 12 years there that I ever thought I was going to leave uh my first year there I was blessed with so many of the greats taking me in teaching me the craft having me understand what it takes the boob the Mike toos the Alexi lawless’s
Uh all the sports center anchors Scott F Pelt I just really became close and all the non soccer people of me banging on the door telling them you need to cover soccer more I’m not a soccer guy I can talk other sports just doing that I
Never thought I was gonna leave but then covid hit and certain decisions were made and then you’re saying well wait a minute what do I want to do I will always do I will always make a decision about my professional life on something I want to do and that I’m passionate
About and ultimately that’s what it came down to Major League Soccer is always has been at the Forefront of that conversation along with us soccer and so when Apple announced that they were taking over Major League Soccer that was the first time in my life where I said
Hang on a minute I want to listen to this and Major League Soccer did a very good job of explaining to me what’s going to happen over the 10 years where they want to take it the growth of it on backs of the World Cup and the club
World Cup and all the the stuff away from Major League Soccer um it was kind of a no-brainer but leaving ESPN was never really part of that conversation until Gary Stevenson from Major League Soccer called me and said this is where we want to go we’d like for you to be a
Part of it and hear me out and I did did you enjoy doing different things for ESPN hosting Sports Center doing shows like Sports Nation even First Take I did Brandon I did one I got out of my comfort zone to Taylor twlling doing those Brandon forced people to at least
Acknowledge the soccer guy was doing something other than soccer and I had a real hair up my ass to prove people wrong on that I don’t think soccer guys in general have done a good enough job of being inclusive and opening up that up and and I think soccer needs to
Improve on that but I also think there are a lot of other people in the media world that haven’t opened their minds to where soccer has grown over the last 10 years and how it’s a huge part of our vernacular with sports coverage in our
Country and so I wanted to do that now Scott velt Mike Tero all these guys Bob Lee all these guys initially you know Kevin nandhi there wasn’t any negativity towards soccer they’re like no absolutely but you got to be able to hang with us I got to learn their craft
I got to learn that I got to be uncomfortable uh it made me a better person on TV it made me a better person but I also got to meet new new people and and I think in life when you talk about relationships you’ve got to get
Out of your comfort zone to meet new people but Brandon I was an all sports guy growing up I played baseball went to college on a baseball scholarship played basketball football golf I wanted to meet new people so that’s never changed ever since I went to ESPN and I’m very
Grateful ESPN gave me the opportunity to try it out and it’s pretty cool to say that I hosted over you know a hundred or so you know Sports Center shows um to host Sports Nation to do first take all those other shows it was an absolute blast did you ever uh get
Complaints from fans or or the audience or anything like that because like here’s the soccer guy thinking he could talk about other sports absolutely that’s exactly what Twitter and social media was for so uh yeah it was the best to read stuff uh I I would test it out
I’d look at Damen Woody Dominique Foxworth anyone Tim Hasselbeck and I’d say I’m gonna say the exact same thing you do and I’m going show you what social media says and their Geniuses and I’m not because I’m the soccer guy I I kind of loved it um did did you feel like ESPN’s
Daytime programming put enough of a focus on on soccer while you’re there no no um and there are Miss on their part yes it is a miss it is a Miss um but I think if you asked the NHL and you asked major league baseball right now they’d
Say the same thing thing they’d say the same thing I feel like the vernacular right now is NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL and a little NBA yeah and and that and that’s where it becomes indifferent there were and I’m T telling you the time I showed up at ESPN in
2010 to do some freelancing work for them there were so many people behind the scenes begging for more soccer John Skipper was a huge proponent of soccer a huge believer in the sport uh he was a big reason why the 2010 and 2014 and 2012 Euro coverage was so highly
Resourced and given an opportunity to really blow it out but imagine Brandon if every show for they did one segment seven to 10 minutes just on the sport just put it in the conversation it wouldn’t be it wouldn’t be such an odity A year later two years later three years
Later because it just would become part of your vernacular the 18 to 29y Old sports fan is 100% committed to the sport of soccer Premier League international events Major League Soccer I I think it’s a Miss I do so do you think it’s it’s the uh is it the the
Current Talent that’s more reluctant to to talk about it or is it more so behind the scenes the executives that that don’t want it to become I think initially it was talent I do I think some of those talents still remain but I was pleasantly surprised that when the
Talent that didn’t know the sport felt comfortable next to an analyst like myself they were willing to take it on yeah and part of that was me saying just Do you just talk about it just do you the problem was they got such negative feedback at times and that’s why that’s
Part of my point point of bringing up and pointing the finger at the soccer fan is saying hang on a minute if you want more people to talk about it you got to be less less rigid in letting these people grow into learning the sport and understanding the sport and
How to talk about the sport you’ve got to teach them you’ve got to be more open-minded to it um I think it’s a combination of both but I also think there’s a real stubbornness to some of the talent where they kind of you know take a
Shot at the sport of soccer when you’re like dude it’s 2024 what are you doing you’re still taking shots at a sport that so many people millions of people in our country watch it like it’s kind of outdated so I I don’t think it’s as
Much a talent thing anymore as more so I just think the higher the higher-ups are making certain decisions based on what sells right now and I think you’d be surprised at how easy the sport of soccer El because the younger demo is interested in that sport did you enjoy
Talking soccer with Stephen A Smith on the uh the rare occasion that you got to do so I loved it we did it we did a huge preview uh for the 2020 W European championships after it was delayed during covid and Stephen A Smith said
Listen I’ve got this idea I want to do this I want to kind of make a correlation to American sports franchises I was like yeah I’m in done we had an absolute blast Stephen A Smith lost his marbles on Greg burh halter after they lost to Canada and he said
They outplayed them and and they technically like we need Stephen A Smith to talk about it it it we need him and people like that Mad Dog Russo anyone talk about it if you want to um so I enjoyed it it wasn’t as bad as maybe people think it was actually fun and
Enjoyable but I can also talk to Cowboys I can also talk to Cleveland Cavaliers and so he felt comfortable and saying this is how I want to do it and I had fun doing it but that was a huge part of the production of those shows uh a lot
Of Stephen A Smith in that production crew they’re big soccer fans and so it made it more seamless for him and I think easier than he thought when you when you left ESPN you had that um the Twitter post about about not having to to scrape claw and beg for for airtime
Anymore but I thought the the more interesting thing in in that was about having to be apologetic for being passionate about soccer um when did you need to be apologetic uh just trying to get anything on the most important shows trying to sell the sport and understanding how massive this is or
That is or this occurring you know look at the transfer Windows around the world we think the NFL offseason’s busy the transfer Windows blow that out of the water I was trying to sell that and trying to sell that as the lead Analyst at times was exhausting and always having
To apologize for it in a weird way um I didn’t have to do that as much at the end but also it just was part of just the clim it is what it is and it’s not as if I’m really anyone at ESPN that is is listening to this or hearing this
Would say yeah that’s what he did that’s what he that’s what he cared about so it’s not like I’m taking a shot just is what it is I I definitely had to fight for things that in my world I never had to fight for but to get it into their
World I had to I had to break some barriers down sometimes I was successful and others I wasn’t when when you think back to um your famous what are we doing clip after the the US Men’s National Team failed to qu qualify for the the 2018 World Cup um what what have they
Done since then like how how do you feel about the progress since that rant well it’s very interesting you’re asking me about that rant because where did that rant erir initially ESPN news think of that a World Cup final qualifying night and we’re not even on ESPN or ESPN
And two right so that puts a bow on that initial question um kind of getting buried yeah just and then because of the power of social media it grew into the phenomenon that it was but Max Bros Nicole Brisco and I that was on ESPN
News that’s just what it was I I would say listen the the development of the American player has grown a lot quicker um at a higher level that many of us thought now many of us saw signs that it was going to happen but you’re talking
To me during a time where we’ve got some American players playing at some of the most story clubs in the world and so to to think on that night it was going to happen that quickly I’m not sure I would have believed you so there’s been a ton
Of growth of the American player um the development of the player at a younger age is there major league soccer had a huge part in that US soccer and so many of the other infrastructure within us soccer Federation for those that aren’t affiliated with mlsm have done a great
Job with that so the development of the American player has grown however the US men’s first team Brandon since that moment you tell me their most significant win have they had one and I’ve labeled them as many others have this the golden generation of the American player the best generation ever
Developed they’re getting a World Cup at home in the prime of their careers yet you’re asking me in February of 2024 they haven’t had a signature win and that’s why I think Copa this summer is massive it’s massive for Greg bur holon it’s massive for the players
Because K mull in South America is the hardest Confederation in the world to survive uh because of the climates and where you’re playing games and the fan bases and and just all of that you get a home tournament against those teams which is basically what the World Cup is
Going to be I’d argue the World Cup’s probably going to be a little easier initially because you’re going to have teams from all over the world initially in that World Cup cup if you can’t get a significant win in that World Cup in that Copa America then why should anyone
On the outside have any confidence or belief that you’re going to get that in 26 that’s why this Summer’s tournament it’s massive for the players and it’s massive for Greg Balter is it realistic to to to think that the uh the US men’s team should should be able to win a
World Cup by now like considering the fact that they’ve had to play catch up to other countries um like when when is it that enough time has passed that the US should be competing for to to be able to win a World Cup that’s a really good
One um should they have won a World Cup by now no no uhh um should they be getting to quarterfinals yeah I think that’s got to be your real because then anything can happen right but I think the us right now you’ve got to be winning a knockout
Round after your group in a major competition you just have to and the last time they did that if I’m not mistaken was Mexico and O2 right like I yeah I mean 2010 they lost I’ll take I’ll take your word on that 2014 they lost to Belgium in 2022 they
Lost so like they lost to the Dutch you know what I’m saying like that’s got to be the goal that’s got to be the real goal 2002 yes and quite frankly they should have beat Germany if not for an absurd non-h handball call on the goal
Line but my point being is they beat Mexico they beat Mexico that’s a known quantity so you’ve got to get to quarterfinals you got to win you know your knockout round games after the World Cup and so far they haven’t done that so what do you think is the biggest
Um thing that has held the us back to this point from the uh the Men’s National Team not being able to get to quarterfinals well it’s just I mean it’s it’s it’s playing your best at the highest level with the most at stake that’s what it is um I I think the
Players and the development of player as I’ve said has gotten better uh it’s grown so the players are getting better um but so is the rest of the world and so you’ve just got to get I would say this if you needed one thing substantially ideally you want to have generations of
Players playing multiple World Cups historically the United States men have always had players 27 28 29 30 making their first World Cup experience in tournament that’s not what you want you want ultimately what 26 is going to be where the majority of the rosters playing in their second World Cup
They’ve kind of already had it they’ve had experience that is what the Germany the France the brazils the Argentinas the top countries in the world they’ve always had that as an upper hand on the United States the United States has to get there at some point so you can build
On that experience and not rely on some of that newcomer uh insecurity in unknown territory so to speak when they get to their first World Cup is that to the fault of somebody that that there’s not those those younger players the development of the player just hasn’t
Been there until now and now it’s there and I think I I think you’re going to see some of that in 26 where now all of a sudden you’re talking maybe seven to 12 players that are playing their second World Cup that’s massive yeah how is um
Working the World Cup as a broadcaster do do you enjoy the the bandwagon fans and and like seeing the sport dominate the conversation on Twitter um even if it only comes once every every few years I do I think think I won’t dumb it down for them though I have no problem
Explaining something to them but I’m not going to dumb it down I’m I’m done with that um I think we owe it to ourselves as a group and as a sport we don’t need to anymore there’s plenty of people that understand the sport they can watch it
At any point at any time where 10 years ago they couldn’t do that so Brandon I I think that’s I have no problem with the bandwagon fan I have no problem with the SEC college football fan joining in every four years one watch the United
States but when they come at me and say how come the United States isn’t winning 40 then I will give them the proper respectful answer well that’s because you haven’t paid attention for the last four years this is why this is it but that’s exactly what it is but that’d be
Like asking the SEC college football fan how come Alabama is not beating the Kansas City Chiefs every four years you know what I’m saying like you gotta you got to watch the rest of the world you got to understand the United States men are not going to be favored against
Eight 10 countries in the world that’s a fact so understand that how do you think the US will do hosting the World Cup in 2026 I think Canada us and Mexico have an unbelievable opportunity um I’m nervous and I don’t think you wanted to go here but I just you and I
Are talking very quickly after the Kansas City Chiefs and Parade shooting and I just I’m I’m nervous Brandon I’m nervous I I get asked by so many people outside the United States about our gun problem in the United States and I’m just I’m like ner I’m just nervous I’m
Giving you an honest answer here I’m nervous about the World Cup uh so many countries and their fans and coming here and we just we have an issue right now we have a real issue with that and so that aside I think it’s going to be
The best World Cup ever it’s going to be the largest world cup ever there’s going to be the most games ever in a world cup and I think it’s fitting that the United States of Mexico and Canada get to host that but I’d be lying to you if I didn’t
Tell you I have reservations about where our country is right now with gun issues and shootings all the time have you had reservations about going to other World Cups or even other just countries when you were a player even no so the the reservations are are bigger in the the
Us then yeah I mean listen I I went to an under 20 World Cup in Nigeria I went to an under 17 World Cup in Egypt you’re naive when you’re that young you don’t really know what’s going on your parents have kind of taken care of it the US
Soccer federation did an unbelievable job with our security I didn’t find out until 10 years after the 1999 under 20 World Cup in Nigeria that my parents were on four or five conference calls about bomb threats and certain things going on with the embassy down there they just didn’t tell us right so
Um was I blind to it no I just didn’t know yeah um so I didn’t have any reservations around that but I went to the Brazil World Cup and 14 euros uh even after covid um I wasn’t nervous I was very nervous uh at Wembley Stadium
For the final and we all know the security mishaps that happened there uh I wasn’t nervous going I was nervous in the moments I just the the gun control has me very very nervous about the United States of America that’s just where I am on it yeah no and obviously
Uh especially after after what happened last week I I’d say you’re you’re definitely not alone there and that’s um something that’s only going to become a bigger issue as we get closer to uh to that event um we we mentioned your your playing career getting uh cut
Short um and I I I do want to just ask you about the the concussions and and how does how does soccer handle concussions well well I’ll I’ll start with this how does soccer handle concussions differently today uh compared to when when you played has the sport
Improved oh man that’s so good I mean the the education and awareness absolutely has improved um I’m surprised in 2024 we don’t have a better more uniform way of handling concussions in the field of play I’m surprised there’s not a concussion sub I think ifab hasn’t done a good enough job of Expediting
Knowing the research and data that they have that we don’t have a better way to handle a concussion in the field of play that could lead to a concussion sub and more so proper analysis of the injured player whether it’s he or she I that has me surprised the education and
Awareness is way better than it was when I played that that it’s kind of hard to even put it into words um but that was 2008 2024 you know 16 plus years you would hope there would be growth on that but I’m still seeing bad decisions in
The moment because I don’t think ifab and FIFA have done a good enough job of taking leadership on this to force the conf federations in the leagues to have a concussion sub that would take the onus off the managers and Technical staffs to have to make medical
Decisions is there um a movement to make that happen is that something that that’s potentially close to happening I mean honestly Brandon I can’t tell you how many conversations I’m exhausted about it how how many zooms I’ve done with real people that have real power to change these things uh yeah there’s a
Ton there’s so much data there and and the ability to say 7 to 10 minutes is the proper time that neurologists are telling you that they can assess whether or not there was a head injury the NFL the NHL the NBA it fits into their Sports so easy take the player out set
Him out for seven to 10 minutes and assess it it’s easy it’s no problem um they still make bad decisions on that point but soccer you’ve got to football around the world you’ve got to make better decisions and you don’t have limited Subs so take more ownership of
It and I I’ve even said that major league soccer why don’t you change it do it first and force everyone else to follow because I just think there’s a real opportunity for growth there and I just hope I really hope it’s there before the 26 World Cup because I think
There’s an opportunity to grow the sport evolve the sport while keeping the nature of the sports there you’re not going to get rid of heading in the sport Brandon you’re just not and so instead of doing that evolve and use the data to say hang on a minute we can do Subs here
We can do things here to allow the medical professionals to make better decisions while not killing the je or jeopardizing uh the state of the game what about heading in Youth Sports oh I would get rid of it in two seconds um I first off I I just used my
It test you go to 9 10 11 12y old practices and trainings Brandon not heading the ball until the coach says let’s practice heading the ball they’re just not yeah so I I don’t you can teach the mechanism and the mechanics of heading a ball with a ball that causes
No impact on the brain Nerf ball softball whatever it is but in the act of playing the game they’re not heading the ball as much as they are until the coaches force them to head the ball so why do that you could teach it you can absolutely teach it but they don’t want
To head the ball until they’re older anyways so you don’t force them to to do it so regulations on heading a ball under a certain age absolutely and I think it should be uniform around the world how many diagnosed concussions did you have as a player honestly um I don’t know that all
I know is I think I had from in college in high school college and as a pro my parents did a good job going through this with my neurologist and whatnot when I was going through uh rehab we I had seven diagnosed concussions uh people listening will say that’s a
Lot I don’t know from 14 to 28 seven sure it’s a lot of diagnosed concussions I can promise you I had more yeah that was next question do you have um any have you noticed any lasting effects from from those head injuries yeah I mean my life
Is still Limited in certain aspects um I’ve dedicated a ton of my time resources and a shitload of money uh to rehab and to trying to find a way out of this and I have found some real good ways out of it um I will tell that story
At some point because when I was next door neighbors with Junior SEO and then unfortunately when Junior SEO took his life I I I had an issue with the energy around concussions in sports of all of a sudden well if you have a concussion you’re gonna have CTE
And you’re G to commit suicide and that just that’s factually wrong and so I just have a real energy of trying to find it but I’m also not going to lie to this microphone and tell you it it’s not been easy it’s not easy sometimes but I
I’m sitting here I’m feeling good I’m feeling much better than i’ was about four or five years ago and I think that’s progress and that’s because like I said I’m SP spending a ton of money to find the right resources and the right rehabilitation program and Brandon to
Put a bow on it the billion dooll question isn’t diagnosing concussions it’s rehabilitating them and I think if we figur that out we’ve cured the problem have you um always been supported in being outspoken about concussions and and and head injuries in your media career or have you ever
Received push back from either the the league from from anybody in soccer or even when you were at ESPN did you receive any push back from them uh the push back only came from it it’s not an MLs thing it’s not a soccer thing just in general people think there’s such a
There’s always this you know the Grim Reaper of concussions it’s like no I’m educating you on what they are and what they can do I’ve never said get rid of sports ever ever but we knew smoking caused cancer and we immediately evolve and change our way of living we know
Repetitive hits causes brain damage why wouldn’t we evolve and change certain things to give people a better opportunity to survive concussions at a later age it’s common sense so push back yeah I’ve had fans give me death threats regarding uh the Under 12 heading rule I
Mean you can Google it it comes up I I’ve had people people literally threaten my life and threaten family members because I believe we should limit heading in soccer and tackling in football and checking in hockey and certain cheerleading things and equestrian things and I’m like really
Really you think I should really really lose my life because I want us to evolve to preserve the sports like that’s type of energy that Brandon honestly it doesn’t it bothered me initially now I’m just like sure go ahead it doesn’t whatever but push back from leagues no
They know it’s my personal story it’s my personal fight and so quite honestly they’d rather have me talk about it than someone else because I’m probably G to be more educated on the topic sure um just a a few things about this MLS season before we finish up here how how
Big of a deal is it that the referees were locked out and and MLS is going to start the season with um temporary refs man that’s a good question um I’m a little surprised uh it’s going to be interesting I don’t I don’t know I
Asked me that a month from now um if the deal hasn’t happened and and where the referees that are reing MLS games what it’s like I know Major League Soccer wanted to implement some new rules and some things to speed up the game I don’t
Know if you’re going to be able to do that with the new refs I know the players and the coaches and the technical staffs in the league are very nervous about it I think it’s going to be one of those storylines that we’re talking about in the first month of the
Season depending on how long the lockout goes what do you expect from inter Miami this season man that’s a good one I don’t know I don’t know I I I find it amusing that everyone has them as Front Runners to win Ford trophies buett Alba Messi and Suarez
That’s a lot a lot of tread that is gone off those tires I just don’t know I don’t know I think what I’ve seen in the pre season I don’t know man I I honestly Brandon I I’m kind of on the record and I think I’m going to stay there I think
They’re lucky to win one trophy I do is is their uh their schedule also working against them just with the amount of travel they’ve been doing yeah I think Copa America right naturally Major League Soccer is going to play through Copa America because this league plays through the summer so
If Messi and Argentina go to the Copa America final he misses one fifth of the regular season that’s seven games I think if I’m not mistaken so right there you look at it and say well that’s going to be tough to win the supporter shield
And so I don’t know I think Ki have Champions Cup good shot of them uh potentially winning a trophy and then MLS Cup at the end of the year because summertime they could make new signings they could revamp their roster that’s where that could happen but the front
Runner to win four trophies I just don’t see it what did you think of the recent backlash being directed at Messi from uh from China after he he missed the the friendly in Hong Kong yeah I I I I’ve I’ve been struggling with it because I’m
I I mean I called some of the games he’s injured he’s injured so what do you want to do that’s part of the that’s part of the risk I mean he came to the training and so like I just I don’t know I don’t know that that for me having covered the
Guy covered the team and understanding that’s part of being an athlete is I think he was injured 23,500 some odd miles they going to travel and I think they didn’t want to risk it I’m I I really do I think it’s simple is that he was feeling his grin and didn’t want to
Play what is what’s the the earliest that the the MLS season started when you were playing do you know I don’t know but I’m gonna say March so is it is it um like what do you think about the season starting in in February because
I that seems like it’s not ideal for a team like the revolution who who play outdoors in Foxboro especially um if if those matches are going to be at night it’s a I I don’t have a problem starting it in February um if I was an owner of a team that did
Make the playoffs right you you kind of been not playing games for a while so I I don’t have a problem with it I really don’t I think there’s enough climates and different cities in this league that you can play through February and be okay with it you also
Got to remember in the summertime there was 20 some odd rain outs last year or rain delays sorry not rain outs rain delays I mean weather’s an impact no matter what in the summertime it is in the winter it is I I have no problem
With it more so just because I I think this league has grown to a way where you want to be playing more games and you develop players better that way and I have no problem with the season starting in February did you mind playing in the in the cold weather like did
You no problem I played in Germany my first professional contract was in the bundus Lea in Germany so I have no problem playing in the in the cold and uh last thing is who are some MLS players not named Messi that uh that people should be watching ing for and
Especially say the the Casual soccer fan well I think forsberg coming to the New York Red Bull Swedish International fantastic player from RB Leipzig the World Cup winning goalkeeper Yugo lce is now the goalkeeper at lafc but for me it the average age of the signings this
Offseason was 24 it’s the young player so when you watch the game find out who the young players are Pedro de laa David Martinez um so many young players coming into this league Thiago Amada uh using this league as a stepping stone for the rest of their career to move on the way
Miguel amarone did with Atlanta United and now playing for Newcastle when you watch an MLS game mark my words there is a player or two that will be playing in Europe in the blink of an eye because that’s how quickly this league has grown Taylor you are awesome thank you so much
For coming on the podcast today really appreciate it thanks bu that is Taylor twellman I’m Brandon contis this is the awful announcing podcast please rate and subscribe to this podcast please also subscribe to Awful announcing YouTube page but regardless of how you consume awful announcing and the awful announcing podcast thanks for listening
And be good thanks for listening to the awful announcing podcast for the latest news spanning the sports media landscape and more check out awfulannouncing.com and follow us at awul announcing
