Fox plans American WC broadcast crew

NEW YORK » Fox plans to go all-American with its top broadcast crew for next year’s World Cup, pairing play-by-play man John Strong in the booth with former U.S. national team players Landon Donovan and Stuart Holden. “Soccer in our country is at a point now where I think we’re ready to do that, and we have announcers and talent that are capable of bringing educated options,” Holden said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “I think it’s time. I think it’s time that we embrace the American voices.” They will broadcast Thursday night’s World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago in Colorado. Strong and Holden will call Sunday’s qualifier at Mexico and will be the primary announce team for the Confederations Cup in Russia starting June 17. Donovan will skip the Confederations Cup while awaiting the birth of a child.

“They’re American voices, diverse American voices,” said David Neal, executive producer of Fox’s World Cup coverage. “Soccer is truly becoming a mainstream sport. I think it’s in the top four already. I think it’s supplanted the NHL.”

Fox announced its Confederations Cup coverage Wednesday, and Neal said the three-man booth with Strong, Donovan and Holden was likely to be the network’s top World Cup team.

“At this moment, that’s where we’re looking. Obviously, we’ve got 13 months before have to lock it in,” he said. “Stu is effervescent, and Landon is probably a little more laconic. It really is a perfect pair of personalities that can help each other.”