After a Historic $2.5 Billion Deal, Apple Announces a Stacked Roster Full of USMNT and USWNT Legends as Broadcasters for the Upcoming MLS Season

Soccer as a sport is rapidly growing in America. After watching the USMNT have a decent FIFA World Cup campaign, the fans are now pumped for America’s own soccer melodrama to begin. Most soccer fans in the US are eagerly waiting for the 2023 MLS season to commence. The league is scheduled to start on 25 February.

Apple just announced the details for the new MLS season pass for the new season. One of the things that caught the fans’ eyes was the premium roster of expert analysts and commentators. Most of the broadcasters were USMNT and USWNT legends.

USMNT and USWNT legends to host the MLS?

In 2022, MLS announced its new partnership with Apple. The tech giant purchased the rights to broadcast every MLS game on the Apple TV app. English and Spanish commentary would be available for every game. Additionally, French commentary will also be available on the days a Canadian team is playing.

However, the broadcast team roster excited every soccer fan. USMNT and USWNT veterans like Lori Lindsay, Maurice Edu, Danielle Slaton, Sebastien Le Toux, Marcelo Balboa, Sasha Kljestan, Diego Valeri, and Bradley Wright-Phillips will be part of the analysts’ team. Renowned television presenter, Kyndra de St. Aubin along with ESPN’s leading soccer analyst, Taylor Twellman also makes it to the list.

NBC’s Premier League anchor, Liam McHugh will handle hosting duties in the studio along with Tony Cherchi and Jillian Sakovits. Popular Spanish announcer, Pablo Ramirez will take on the play-by-play duties. Ramirez will be accompanied by Jake Zivin, Frederic Lord, Max Bretos, and Steve Cangialosi.

Read More: After Securing Landmark $2.5 Billion MLS Deal Apple Set to Battle ESPN for More Soccer Rights

MLS’s commissioner, Don Garber expressed his excitement for the expert panel and the new MLS Season. Garber said, “This talented group of men and women has taken part in the biggest moments across the soccer and sports landscape for the past decade; whether covering them on air or taking part in them as players, they have been at the center of building our sport in North America.”

Why did MLS sign a deal with Apple?

One of the main reasons the MLS signed a deal with Apple is because they wanted to appeal to a much broader target audience. America has loads of homegrown soccer talent. However, those gems of talent need a platform that is good enough for them to showcase their skills to the rest of the world.

Such a deal with Apple will give the MLS recognition. MLS’s commissioner, Don Garber said, “We’re thinking about what is happening with the transition of sports viewership and fan engagement, going from what has been a traditional cable model over to what has become more of a streaming model.”

Such a deal will also entice young American players to stay in the US and not look for a transfer to Europe. Recently, Sportico released a report that revealed 2022’s Top 100 sports broadcasts in America. Soccer surprisingly beat the NBA and MLB to the list.

Soccer’s viewership is definitely destined to touch new heights this season, without a doubt.

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Do you think soccer will ever become a regular prime-time watch for an American? Let us know in the comments below.