USL News Release

 

Friday, June 10, 2005

 

Tampa, FL – United Soccer Leagues is pleased to announce the final pieces of their 2005 Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) broadcast package, including the previously undetermined July 1st match and the announcer lineup. 
 

The July 1st broadcast will feature the W-League encounter between the Atlanta Silverbacks Women and the Charlotte Lady Eagles, to be held at Waddell High School in Charlotte, NC, will be televised at 8:00 pm ET. The game marks the first nationally televised regular season match in W-League history.

The last three W-League championships have been broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel, which is currently airing the UEFA Women’s Championship featuring 2004 W-League players like England’s Kelly Smith and France’s Marinette Pichon. 

The game will feature a number of the top players in the game, including US international Kelly Wilson of Charlotte and Canadian internationals Candace Chapman and Melissa Tancredi of Atlanta, which also boasts a number of former WUSA Atlanta Beat players like Marci Miller, Kerry Gragg, Tara Minnax and Lisa Kryzkowski.

At this time, USL is also delighted to release the announcer lineup for the 2005 FSC broadcast season.  Returning for his fourth season as a part of the USL announcing corps, former MLS Wrap host Sean Wheelock will headline six regular season broadcasts.  Also slated for six games is former USL First Division player Steve Bell and rounding out the bulk of play-by-play duties is Paul Dolan.  The former Canadian international and current Canadian Men’s National Team goalkeeper coach will cover three regular season matches.

Chicago Fire announcer Kenn Tomasch will lead one game for USL.  He will be joined on the July 15th broadcast in Minnesota by former Milwaukee Wave United Head Coach Art Kramer as color commentator.

Also joining the 2005 broadcast schedule as color commentators is Vancouver Whitecaps Director of Soccer Operations Bob Lenarduzzi.  Lenarduzzi is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame and the USL Hall of Fame.

Rounding out the commentating roster for 2005 is Dick Howard, currently a technical consultant for the Toronto Lynx.  Prior to being named to his current post, Howard served as the Technical Director of the Canadian Soccer Association and he continues to be a member of the prestigious FIFA Technical and Development Committee.

As is the trend with many soccer broadcasts worldwide, USL will utilize a solo commentator for the majority of the 2005 USL First Division regular season. 

“Our primary commentators, Sean, Steve and Paul, have all demonstrated the unique ability to succinctly describe the action on the field while providing tactical insights,” commented USL Vice President Tim Holt.  “These skills, along with their knowledge of USL and its teams, should enhance our exciting slate of broadcasts this season.”

The 2005 USL on Fox Soccer Channel season kicks off on Friday, June 17th when the Richmond Kickers travel to Blackbaud Stadium to take on the Charleston Battery.

The entire announcer lineup is listed below.  For more information on United Soccer Leagues, go to USLsoccer.com.

 

Date - Home team v. Visiting Team – Announcers (Play-by-Play, Color)
June 17 - Charleston v. Richmond - Sean Wheelock
June 24 - Va. Beach v. Atlanta - Sean Wheelock
July 1 - Charlotte (W) v. Atlanta (W) - Steve Bell
July 8 - Seattle v. Portland - Paul Dolan - Bob Lenarduzzi
July 15 - Minnesota v. Montreal - Kenn Tomasch, Art Kramer
July 22 - Richmond v. Rochester - Steve Bell 
July 29 - Vancouver v. Seattle - Paul Dolan, Bob Lenarduzzi
August 5 - Portland v. Minnesota - Paul Dolan
August 7 - W-League Championship - Sean Wheelock, TBD
August 12 - Atlanta v. Charleston - Sean Wheelock
August 13 - PDL Championship - Steve Bell, TBD
August 19 - Rochester v. Puerto Rico - Steve Bell
August 26 - Montreal v. Virginia Beach - Sean Wheelock
August 27 - USL Second Division Championship - Steve Bell, TBD
September 2 - Toronto v. Vancouver - Steve Bell, Dick Howard
September 9 - Puerto Rico v. Toronto - Sean Wheelock, Dick Howard
September 18 - USL First Division Playoffs – Rd 1 – TBD, TBD
September 25 - USL First Division Playoffs – Semi – TBD, TBD
October 1 - USL First Division Championship – TBD, TBD
TBD - SYL Finals and USL Wrap-up Show – TBD, TBD

* All teams are USL First Division unless otherwise noted