In our "Voices of MLS" series we will be speaking with some of your favorite broadcasters from around the league. Today we spoke with CSN Houston's Sebastian Salazar. Read on after the jump to find out who Sebastian thinks will play in the World Cup Final and who are some possible breakout players in 2014.
Total-MLS (TMLS): How did you get into broadcasting?
Sebastian Salazar (SS): I played soccer through college, but realized around the age of 15-16 that I probably wasn’t going to make a living as a player. Broadcasting seemed like the next best thing, so I focused my college decision around finding a school where I could get some experience early. After graduation, I sent my unbearably awful resume reel around the country and lucked into a job in Northwest Georgia – where I was the ‘sports guy’ at a small news station.
TMLS: How do you prepare for a broadcast?
SS: Totally depends on the role. I’ve hosted pregame shows, done some play-by-play and been a sideline reporter – and each job takes a different type of prep. In general though, I like to inundate myself in the storylines surrounding both teams. Recently, I’ve been listening to fan podcasts before games to get a better idea of what viewers are specifically interested in hearing about.
TMLS: What’s been your most memorable moment in your career, so far?
SS: Hands down, the Seattle – Portland playoff game earlier this year at CenturyLink Field. Getting to do a few national broadcasts at the end of the season was totally unexpected, and an experience I’ll never forget. To be a part of the broadcast team for that rivalry and its first MLS playoff installment was so special, and the fans and game delivered. 40k tickets sold on like three days notice. Just awesome.
TMLS: Soccer and MLS is growing in North America. From a broadcaster standpoint, what do you see as some important steps for the league to continue its growth?
SS: From a media standpoint, I think we’ve got a ways to go in terms of the ‘mainstream’ press and their coverage of MLS. Especially in local markets, coverage from major outlets is either lacking, uninformed or overwhelming generic. When was the last time you heard MLS discussion on your local sports-talk radio station – or read something on the league from one of the sports columnists in your city’s paper? When these things become a regularity, we’re headed towards bigger TV ratings, attendance numbers, etc.
TMLS: You’re named MLS commissioner tomorrow. What’s the first thing you do?
SS: Form a committee to look into figuring out the league’s scheduling issue. It’s not as simple as switching to the FIFA calendar. I’d want to address the length of the season (perhaps moving to two seasons as in Mexico), the congested playoff slate and the fact that the postseason comes at the most crowded time on the America sports calendar. People ask about ‘fixing’ television ratings all the time – I think fixing the schedule would be a major step towards boosting viewership.
TMLS: With New York City and Orlando joining the league and Commissioner Garber wanting to go to 24 teams, what other markets do you see as possibilities for expansion franchises?
SS: So many choices. I think soccer – if done right – could thrive in Miami. Atlanta I’m not so sure. Places like Oklahoma City, Minnesota and Sacramento might be the next Kansas City, but is their market size and location going to change the type of television deal the league commands? At the end of the day, this is about money – and television should be Major League Soccer’s main source for cash.
TMLS: If you could have one player from anywhere in the world join MLS, who would it be?
SS: Messi, and I’d put him on NYCFC. Nothing earth-shattering here. Take the biggest name and put him in the biggest market.
TMLS: What storyline will be all following in 2014?
SS: Clint Dempsey. For a brief moment this summer, Dempsey went mainstream. He was on SportsCenter, Good Morning America, The Dan Patrick Show and was drawing people to stadiums and television sets. If Dempsey can bang home 20 goals, it will be huge.
TMLS: Which team do you think will surprise us all in 2014, either good or bad?
SS: Toronto FC. Between the change atop their personnel department (hiring Tim Bezbatchenko) and the potential of signing someone like Jermaine Defoe and/or Alberto Gilardino, the upside for TFC is huge – and no fan base deserves it more.
TMLS: Who is one player to watch in 2014 that could have a breakout year?
SS: A few recent international signings really intrigue me. Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi is in his prime and was a consistent starter in Ligue 1 – that should translate to success in San Jose. Gaston Fernandez could be primed for a huge year in Portland as well. Ryan Johnson scored 9 goals as the Timbers’ striker last season and Fernandez might double that. I’d also love to see a bounce-back year from Chris Pontius, who should see more time on the ball now that D.C. has strengthened their roster. When on his game, Pontius is one of the league’s most dynamic attacking players.
TMLS: Can you give us one bold prediction for MLS in 2014 and one for the world of soccer in general?
SS: In the spirit of the league’s overwhelming parity, I believe at least one of 2014’s MLS Cup participants will be a team that did not make the playoffs in 2013 (thinking Chicago, TFC, DCU or San Jose). On the global scene, I think we’ll finally see an African nation reach a World Cup Final. My money is on Ghana being that team.
I'd like to thank Sebastian for his time. Keep checking back here for more of our Voices of MLS series!
(image courtesy of csnhouston.com)
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