Fox Soccer Channel just upped its game

Here’s something you may not know about soccer on TV in our country:

When the network suits hammer out broadcast deals, they typically stipulate required time for broadcasters to spend with head coaches. These by-contract confabs usually occur the day before kickoff. At the end of practice on the day before, or perhaps that night at the team hotel, the play-by-play man, analyst and maybe the producer will sit down for 20-30 minutes with the head coach or coaches.

The men behind the microphones (the “talent” in TV land vernacular, I suppose) may also spend some time with media directors, gathering additional intel.

The thing is, not every broadcaster takes advantage. Some are convinced they already know plenty about the sides. Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. But they probably should exploit the opportunity. More knowledge is never a bad thing.

Since they aren’t here to defend themselves, I won’t reveal the notorious slackers in this regard. Feel free to speculate.

But there’s one guy who just wears everyone out seeking info. He takes advantage of every single opportunity to meet with coaches. He beats on media directors with questions and queries. He’s the kid who keeps lobbing questions in class when everyone wants to move on already. But I do mean all of this in a good way. He’s a pro. A true pro. He gets paid to do a job, and by gosh he’s going to arm himself with every possible bit and byte to do the best job possible.

I respect that. A lot.

His name …. Well, read on and find out.

J.P. Dellacamera just joined Fox Soccer Channel. It’s a great move for Fox. It’s a risky move for JP, who leaves a larger network at ESPN. It’s a bigger fish, smaller pond thing.

But in my opinion, he got jacked around a little at ESPN, so I’m damn happy for him.

Beyond my own personal feelings, here’s the more important take-away, especially for those of us who truly appreciate FSC and everything the ultimately soccer-friendly network brings to our lives.

FSC just got a lot better.

I wrote not long ago about my love-hate relationship with FSC. They do great things for soccer, but the broadcast quality falls short way too frequently.

By hiring Dellacamera, FSC just seriously upped its game. Not to disparage some others who are now or (especially) who have been at FSC, but Dellacamera is a massive upgrade.

FSC has reportedly made another move to improve coverage of its MLS and (presumably) national team matches: Allen Hopkins has re-joined the network.

I believe Kyle McCarthy was the first to report (apologies if I got that wrong) that Hopkins will be a play-by-play voice for MLS matches. I’ve always like his work, his work habits and his knowledge. Besides, even though I don’t know him all that well, every time I’m around A-Hop, I just like the guy. He’s one of these fellows who always carry a jolly disposition. He’s got a great job, beautiful kids … and he seems to appreciate it all. Those are the people in life you want surrounding you.

By the way, “A-Hop” is just my nickname for him. I have no idea if anyone else calls him that. One day last summer in South Africa he laughed at me and said, “You’re that guy, aren’t you? You’re that guy who gives everyone nicknames, aren’t you?”

Nah. Not everyone. Just when it comes to me. And only for the good dudes that I like being around.