Lindsey Dean Interview in New Podcast

Episode seven of the Major League Soccer Podcast features and interview with GOL TV's Lindsey Dean. Dean co-hosts GOL TV's weekly American Soccer show and is a former broadcaster for the New England Patriots (NFL), Boston Bolts (APSL, the forerunner of today's USL), and the Miami Fusion (MLS). Dean discusses Copa America, the US National Team, MLS, and whether or not young Americans are better off in Europe among other topics in this interview.

Check out the show: http://majorleaguesoccertalk.libsyn.com/

Ray Hudson on the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast

I'll be interviewing GOL TV's Ray Hudson, who of course is the former manager of the Miami Fusion and DC United on Monday. Anybody with any questions please submit them in the comments on this post. Thanks!

GOL TV on FOX SOCCER CHANNEL?

Before you get all excited about a potential merger let me clarify what the title is referring to. Last night Miami FC played Minnesota Thunder live on FSC in front of friends and family at the Orange Bowl. (paid attendance was listed as under 1,000, far worse than the numbers Miami FC were drawing at Tropical Park Stadium.) But what was noteworthy about the match was that Miami FC's shirt sponsor GOL TV was featured prominently during an FSC telecast of the match. The two channels are rivals for the American soccer specific cable TV market. What is even more interesting is that USL has a contract exclusively with FSC for cable and satellite TV rights (but not broadband where Turner Sports has the rights) including the now weekly "Friday Night Football" package. However USL has allowed one of its marque clubs to wear a shirt sponsored by GOL TV. Despite the conflict it may create I am pleased USL has allowed this sponsorship. Despite the fact that FSC is a sublicensee of MLS rights and holds exclusive USL rights, both American pro soccer leagues are covered in a more aggressive fashion by GOL TV's weekly "American Soccer" program which has become an indispensible source of news and commentary for those of us trying to keep up with both MLS and USL. While FSC has game rights to both leagues they do little to promote either league outside of their telecasts and the new on location pre and post match shows for MLS hosted by Todd Grisham.

Dave Checketts to Buy GOL TV

Dave Checketts the former President of the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks and the current owner of Real Salt Lake has bought the all soccer network GOL TV for $200 million. The deal has not been finalized yet and according to the EPL Talk website, several MLS executives may have an issue with an MLS owner running an all Soccer network that does not broadcast MLS games. GOL TV has the American rights to the Spanish LaLiga considered by many the world's top league as well as rights to Italy's SerieA, several South American leagues and the American lower divisions within the USL. GOL TV also has far superior commentating talent to that of ESPN who unfortunetly holds the MLS rights. GOL TV's commentating team featuring Phil Schoen, Ray Hudson and Lindsey Dean all display a greater knowledge of American soccer and the US player pool than the former national team players who now dominate ESPN's MLS and US Soccer coverage. GOL TV's team is also very critical when needed of MLS and US Soccer, which is in direct contrast to ESPN's coverage which has become a paid advertisment for MLS.

ESPN has assigned its best commentators for Soccer to the Champions League: Names such as Derek Rae, Tommy Smyth and Seamus Malin. These days for any real critical analysis of US soccer or MLS, GOL TV's weekly American Soccer show is by far the best and most honest option on the air and let's hope Checketts is permitted by MLS to continue to operate the network as is.