Clarence Seedorf (far left) on BBC.
In an obvious attempt to try to boost disappointing World Cup tactical analysis by FOX Sports’ studio talent, the US English-language broadcaster has hired Clarence Seedorf to join the FOX team for the duration of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Seedorf will be based in Moscow and will offer his tactical nous to the pre-match, half-time and post-match analysis on FOX Sports.
The former Dutch footballer has a wealth of knowledge and was an analyst for BBC during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
FOX Sports is in desperate need to try to boost its coverage after it has been met with a tirade of criticism from sports fans across the United States. Much of the criticism has focused on the unwatchable match analysis that has been short on substance.
Specifically, former Russia manager Guus Hiddink has been unable to grind out any memorable opinions. Pundit Ian Wright has been playing double duty working for both ITV and FOX Sports at Russia 2018, offering strong opinions on the UK broadcaster and essentially “mailing it in” for FOX Sports. Hernan Crespo’s English is so bad that he’s barely intelligible at times. Meanwhile, Alexi Lalas has been more forceful as he attempts to hold the coverage together, but overall it’s been a very subpar performance. The only highlights so far have been analysts Moisés Muñoz and Kelly Smith.
According to FOX Sports Executive Producer David Neal, “[Seedorf] brings deep technical and tactical knowledge to our coverage, adding a perspective that is sure to resonate with viewers.”
Let’s sure hope so.
READ MORE:
• Cord cutter’s guide to World Cup 2018
• World Cup shirts for all 32 teams
• FAQ on World Cup TV coverage in USA
• Schedule of soccer friendlies in USA this summer
200+ Channels With Sports & News
- Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
- Watch Premier League, World Cup, Euro 2024 & more
Live & On Demand TV Streaming
- Price: $35/mo. for Sling Blue
- Watch Premier League, World Cup & MLS
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $9.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $13.99/mo.)
- Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, Championship, & more
2,000+ soccer games per year
- Price: $4.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & NWSL
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
- Starting price: $4.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
- Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season
110+ channels, live & on-demand
- Price: $59.95/mo. for Plus Package
- Includes FOX, FS1, ESPN, TUDN & more
7 Comments
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
SOCCER TV SCHEDULES APP
 |
 |
STREAMING OFFERS
 Includes: Premier League + 84 Sports Channels | |
| 7-Day Free Trial | |
 Includes: Bundesliga & La Liga | |
| Sign Up |
|
Includes: Champions League & Serie A | |
| 7-Day Free Trial | |
Includes: Premier League | |
| Sign Up |
|
 Includes: USA, NBC, FOX, FS1 + more | |
| Browse Offers |
|
Duke
June 21, 2018 at 8:57 pm
As bad as Lalas is, the female commentator has me watching the games she calls in silence.
nc
June 20, 2018 at 4:17 pm
A Lalas-free zone today!
CTBlues
June 20, 2018 at 12:04 pm
They added Martin O’Neill today.
Mike
June 20, 2018 at 11:37 am
I’m sure Crespo would be a great pundit in his native Spanish, but his English is very bad. How did Fox not realize this??
DiRT
June 18, 2018 at 10:08 pm
I’m sure Alexi Lalas is a super nice guy, but does every “analysis” have to start with MLS references? “He plays for MLS.” “He’s on an MLS team.” “There’s the MLS influence on the team.” UGH. Every time he does that I cringe a little bit because that’s not exactly a plus when you have players from EPL, Serie A, and La Liga on those same teams.
Papa
June 18, 2018 at 9:46 pm
Lalas is the worst football pundit ever. Dude is clueless but fox is known for garbage football ananlysis. He is very biased.
dstorm
June 18, 2018 at 6:25 pm
Here is a suggestion for Fox… Clearly there is a desire from fans for a more professional, post-match day analysis that re-visits the games, key moments, controversies, game highlights, etc. The problem is you can go to other sources but you’re missing an incredibly important aspect – the actual highlights of the match.
Push “World Cup Tonight” to “World Cup Latenight!” and go ahead and leave the format, leave El Presidente, the DJ and all the goofy antics.
Change World Cup Tonight to a more professional show that actually analyzes the matches and uses Kelly Smith, Moises Munoz and others to breakdown what happened during the match. Even a “Match-of-the-Day” format would be better which in an hour would leave plenty of time for highlights and analysis.
The problem right now is World Cup Tonight is trying to combine a variety show with actual analysis and it doesn’t seem to be working.