Eric Wynalda Might Be Done As A Soccer Analyst After This Comment

Friday, October 26, 2007


This is right up there with the Sean McDonough quote “I noticed your occasional paralysis kicked in at dinner when the check came” right after mentioning injured Bills' player Kevin Everett. During last night's MLS opening round playoff game, as the DC United were taking on the Chicago Fire, Eric Wynalda had this to say as ESPN2 went to a shot of the crowd....

As ESPN2 cameras panned to the Chicago Fire supporter's group Section 8 with about 15 minutes left in the match, fans in the section set off flares that gave off a red, fire-like glare. Wynalda responded to this image by saying, "Looks like California," a flippant reference to the wildfires currently plaguing California. The haunting silence that followed after the comment leads me to believe Wynalda realized the mistake he just made.
How many times must an Announcer screw up before they are fired. Sean McDonough's joke was unfortunate and I'm sure he regrets it, but Wynalda has had a history of terrible and reprehensible comments, and this should be the last straw. I never call for anyone's job, but how much of an idiot do you have to be to make a comment like that?

Wynalda's Brain Cramp (Soccer By Ives)
Eric Wynalda Attacks and Threatens Jim Rome Verbally During Soccer Blog Interview (Sports By Brooks)

Posted by Awful Announcing- at 10:51 AM

13 Comments:

I'm sure he considers all Middle Easterners terrorists as well.

GMoney said...
Oct 26, 2007, 11:37:00 AM  

Wynalda is a total loser. I can't stand the man.

TJX said...
Oct 26, 2007, 12:00:00 PM  

Fuck Eric Wynalda. I'm a soccer fan but I can't watch MLS on ESPN because of him.

Jay said...
Oct 26, 2007, 1:18:00 PM  

I actually like Eric as a commentator. The california comment wasn't mean, it was a stupid comment. Get over it. For a second, that screen shot reminded me of the aerial shots on the news of california, that's what he meant. As for his analysis, I like his style because he will call a bad play as a "bad play", not like 99% of other commentators in any sport. BUT, last night, he kept saying how everyone in MLS respects Blanco. I beg to differ. I challenge him to take an anonymous player poll about the players least respected and most respected. Any non-mexican player, non-chicago player can not stand his style of Ruiz-esque flopping and complaining. When will they start handing out yellows for flagrant flops. It takes away from the game and can change close games with bad calls. I would think guys like Ralston, Moreno, and Armas would garner the most respect, and Ruiz and Blanco would be slammed.

Unknown said...
Oct 26, 2007, 1:55:00 PM  

Soccer, just like Wynalda, will never be given a shit by the American public.

Oct 26, 2007, 3:04:00 PM  

Wynalda is not very good. But, he's BY FAR, the best commentator on soccer in America. At least that I've heard.

In fact, he's better than most commentators for most sports, simply because of the fact that he speaks freely.

His willingness to say what he actually believes instead of simply pandering to the players, coaches, and the leagues is VERY refreshing.

bfos said...
Oct 26, 2007, 4:13:00 PM  

Wynalda is in the top 10% of all sports TV analysts period, not just soccer. He's refreshingly good compared to just about everyone else out there. That comment sounds dumb, but methinks AA should lay off the ESPN-like overreacting to the comment. "THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!! HE MUST BE FIRED!!" Isn't that the same kind of garbage that the Skip Bayless types get crap for?

Airyoda said...
Oct 26, 2007, 9:01:00 PM  

give 'em hell, eric! love that he told that punk rome to s his d. him everette was much too gentlemanly with him. sometimes a man just needs his ass beat. society would be a hell of a lot more polite if the law allowed justifiable ass beatings! and the california comment? wynalda said nothing egregious. take the comment as you will but he said nothing bad there. stop whining america! you're turning into a bunch of pansyboys!

Anonymous said...
Oct 26, 2007, 10:24:00 PM  

I think this is just another proof that Eric is a lame commentator. For years, he has consistently exhibited bias and has shown no respect to the officials like a top-shelf announcer should. If he can't raise his commentary over bush-league levels, then he has no place announcing for the big boys. Bye bye Eric. No loss.

Anonymous said...
Oct 27, 2007, 3:05:00 PM  

this would be an issue if a) people cared about soccer and/or b) people knew who eric wynalda was

Anonymous said...
Oct 27, 2007, 8:54:00 PM  

Eric Wynalda is the only US commentator who is willing to comment on the flow, pace and technical aspects of the game without prejudice. If you have any doubt in your mind that he doesn't call the game the way it should be turn on FSC any Premier League weekend and listen to how games should be called. Passionately and without bias. I'm sick of listening to US commentators as they sugarcoat the national team's failures and celebrate the mediocre.

Unknown said...
Sep 10, 2008, 10:07:00 PM  

I for one thought Eric was good. I thought he challenged the status quo and held everyone accountable to be better. He was right on with his evaluation of the Last World Cup and how the Americans played. He has a higher standard of expectation than the average fan. Hope to see him back, he was good for the growth of the game in the USA. In other sports we settle for nothing but the best?

Anonymous said...
Sep 19, 2008, 5:12:00 PM  

Eric Wynalda is HOT! I think a lot of the guys saying negative things about him are just jealous.

I hope Eric comes back as a commentator. Where are you Eric?

ciao!

Anonymous said...
Nov 9, 2008, 5:25:00 AM  

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