FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012
TOP TEAMS HEADLINE NBC SPORTS GROUP’S MLS DOUBLEHEADER ON SATURDAY
NEW YORK – Oct. 3, 2012 – NBC Sports Group will broadcast two MLS games this weekend as the race to the playoffs heats up. First, top teams #2 New York Red Bulls and the #3 Chicago Fire look to clinch playoff spots when they take to the field at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC. NBC Sports Network continues the soccer coverage that evening at 9 p.m. ET, with the Western Conference’s playoff-bound #2 Real Salt Lake at #3 L.A. Galaxy live from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Additionally, an all-new episode of MLS 36, featuring Real Salt Lake Captain Kyle Beckerman, airs Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET. on NBC Sports Network.
COMMENTATORS:
New York Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire
Arlo White (play-by-play), Kyle Martino (“Between the Benches” analyst) and Russ Thaler (host).
LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
Steve Cangialosi (play-by-play), Brian Dunseth (analyst) and Jim Kozimor (host).
MARTINO ON L.A.-SALT LAKE: “A matchup worthy of an MLS Cup Final between L.A. and Real Salt Lake is one not to miss. Both teams are nearing championship form as the playoffs waits. It’s a good chance for both teams to make a statement against a team they will probably have to get through on their way to the Cup.”
MLS 36: NBC Sports Network’s next episode of MLS 36 will feature Kyle Beckerman, the 13-year veteran, 6-time All-Star and captain of Real Salt Lake. With his dreadlocks and unique on-field persona, Beckerman is among the most original personalities in the MLS, both on and off the field. One of the league’s fiercest competitors, Beckerman flips the switch as soon as he walks off the pitch, transforming into what he calls his “twin brother,” a mellow, laid-back personality with interests ranging from playing guitar to fly fishing. The episode premieres Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.
UPCOMING MLS GAMES: (All Times ET, Home Team Listed First)
Sat., Oct. 20, Houston vs. Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
Sat., Oct. 27, Philadelphia vs. New York, 1:30 p.m. (NBC)
Sat., Oct. 27, Chicago vs. D.C., 4 p.m. (NBCSN)
For the full NBC Sports Group 2012 MLS Schedule visit www.NBCSports.com. Viewers can also follow all the action on Twitter @MLSonNBCSports.
ProSoccerTalk on NBCSports.com: Steve Davis (@SteveDavis90), a respected soccer journalist for more than two decades, is the featured writer for ProSoccerTalk on NBCSports.com. Davis, who has covered Major League Soccer, since its inception in 1996 contributes regular posts and will provide video reports to NBCSports.com, and is expected to be an occasional guest on NBC SportsTalk, the daily hour-long news and information show on NBC Sports Network.
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Last August, Major League Soccer (MLS) and the NBC Sports Group announced a three-year media rights agreement that calls for 46 MLS games and four U.S. National Team contests to be televised live across both NBC and NBC Sports Network each season. This agreement was the first rights deal for the new NBC Sports Network. All telecasts on NBC and NBC Sports Network will consist of pre-game and post-game coverage.
