In our "Voices of MLS" series we will be speaking with some of your favorite broadcasters from around the league. Today we spoke with Sporting Kansas City broadcaster Callum Williams. Read on after the jump to find out which player could have a big 2014 in MLS and which cities may be good options for expansion.
Total-MLS (TMLS): How did you get into broadcasting?
Callum Williams (CW): How long have you got!? I started voluntary work at my local radio station back home in Birmingham when I was sixteen. I helped produced the football broadcasts which would involve a whole range of tasks from editing goal clips to making the tea! After several years I went onto another radio station to start commentating and then joined the BBC. After a couple of years there and doing bits of freelance elsewhere alongside that I joined Sporting KC as their lead announcer in 2011.
TMLS: How do you prepare for a broadcast?
CW: I spend most of the week researching and watching tapes. Its different being both the host and play by play because not only do you have to know every single player inside out, you need to know how the show is going to run. I plan how I’m going to introduce interviews, highlights, features etc along with stats, facts about both sides. We’re fortunate enough in MLS that we can attend training, talk to players, coaches and sometimes when fans are there, their feelings towards the game can be handy. Its all very helpful and in my opinion you can never over research.
TMLS: What’s been your most memorable moment in your career, so far?
CW: I have a few that are up there. Reporting on a play off final at Wembley, the Women’s FA Cup final, signing with the BBC at nineteen! However, I cant not mention commentating on last years MLS Cup final. What a wonderful experience that was. I felt very honored to be the voice behind the first Kansas City pro championship side in thirteen years. It’ll certainly live in the memory for years and hopefully it’s the first of many.
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?
CW: For me, the salary cap has to grow over the next few years and if the reported money from TV, expansion and other things continue to grow and come in it has to go to the one thing above all that will help improve MLS; the quality on the pitch. The standard in MLS is already very good, but like every league, there is always room for improvement. I also think having more kids come through the academy as homegrown players will be huge for the league. Not dismissing the draft, that has a huge part to play also, but the problem there is that they turn pro at twenty two or three where as in the academy they have a chance to be a part of a professional environment from as early as sixteen or seventeen. I think the more focus the league has on homegrown players, the better.
TMLS: You’re named MLS commissioner tomorrow. What’s the first thing you do?
CW: As I said earlier, it’d be good to raise the salary cap. One thing that I’d like to also see is for the league to introduce an American Designated Player spot alongside the 3 other DP spots. The league has done a good job recently in keeping the stars of the USMNT in MLS (and bringing them back). However, I wonder if there was an American DP spot available, would the chance of keeping the USA internationals in the league long term be greater then they already are.
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?
CW: It’s a tough one. I think Miami will soon return with Beckham’s backing and I also think Atlanta would be a good option. That leaves one more spot. Being in Kansas City, I know people would love to see a team in St. Louis. A real soccer rivalry between those two teams would be sensational for MLS. I keep hearing it’s a soccer town, very big on youth soccer, but it seems as though they need a committed owner. San Antonio, Minneapolis and several others would also fancy their chances.
TMLS: If you could have one player from anywhere in the world join MLS, who would it be?
CW: I think Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player close enough to make a mark like David Beckham did. He's obviously famous around the world and I think he'd make a huge difference to any MLS team. It'd certainly be a statement from the league if they got a player like that at his peak. We're getting there.
TMLS: What storyline will be all following in 2014?
CW: Even before the signing of Jermain Defoe and the imminent arrival of Michael Bradley I would have said that the story of Toronto FC this year will be very interesting to watch. Can Nelsen turn it around? Will they make the playoffs? Who else will they try to sign? I honestly believe Toronto FC are some what of a sleeping giant and should they get it right, with the fan base that was their in the earlier years backing them, it could be a very interesting watch this year. It’ll also be worth casting an eye over the new additions that Orlando City SC and New York City FC make, in preparation for their MLS futures. Oh and there’s the small matter of a World Cup.
TMLS: Which team do you think will surprise us all in 2014, either good or bad?
CW: Obviously I’ll revert back to my previous answer and say ‘expect good things from Toronto FC’, but I think DC United in a good way. They have made some very screwed signings thus far and if they sign Espindola…. alongside Eddie Johnson, that’s no forward line to take lightly. They’ve added experience and leadership (which they lacked last year) in Davy Arnaud also; I think that’s a fabulous signing.
TMLS: Who is one player to watch in 2014 that could have a breakout year?
CW: Diego Fagundez. I still find it hard to believe that he’s only eighteen! Yet there are times he looks like a world beater. He was exceptional in 2013 and if Jay Heaps continues to build that roster and play a style that suits Fagundez, he could be even better this season. I also expect Dillon Powers to continue his development and maybe work his way into a USMNT roster in a year or two.
TMLS: Can you give us one bold prediction for MLS in 2014 and one for the world of soccer in general?
CW: We’ll see the tightest finish to an MLS season ever (especially in the East). Germany will win the World Cup whilst England fail miserably (again)!
I'd like to thank Cal for his time. You can find out more about how he got into broadcasting on his blog. Keep checking back here for more of our Voices of MLS series!
(image courtesy of sportingkc.com)
