Goodbye JP! You Will Be Missed! (but I can fit in a WWE reference, so . . . . )

By: Dave Martinez | February 23rd, 2008

Long time Red Bulls announcer, JP Dellacamara, recently signed a contract with ESPN to be there new soccer play by play maven.

The rest of the country was able to enjoy and appreciate his announcing prowess during the US v. Mexico game earlier in the month. And Bulls fans were happy to see TWO of our own making it on the national stage (that includes Harkes, who really did make a lot of friends in his short stay with the organization).

Well, you can kill that euphoria.

JP’s contract prohibits him to be the steady play by play announcer for RBNY. And there really isnt anyone that can truly replace him. He has been the quintessential prototype of the sort of PBP announcer this country needs more of. And finally, the big boys took notice.

You will be missed buddy. Best of luck on Thursday nights.

SO WHO CAN FILL THESE SHOES?!

Ok folks, in the interest of all those . . . ummm . . . interested . . . we do have a good base to build off of here. Personally, I love Shep Messings wit and take on situations (and dont give me that crap about him being a player agent. He still comes off semi unbiased!). Steve Cangiolosi would be the most likely candidate to be bumped up to the PBP position. So put your good money on a Messing/Cangiolosi booth come this April.

But who else can we look at here?

+ RAY HUDSON - I dont know what it will take to pry this guy off the cold fingers of GolTV, but if there is a chance at snatching him up, I am all for it. Ray Hudson was the ONLY reason I would tune into American Soccer, which, without him, has become a bit of an afterthought (though I still watch NEARLY every week now. Instead of Religiously). He has been manning the booth at Cup and League games, and is always good for a snappy remark or two.

Cangiolosi/Messing/Hudson? Ah, dream team. Just have Hudson say a few words between Mess and Cangi’s observations. Thats all.

+ JOE TOLLESON - Hey, it can happen right? He is currently manning 20/20 updates at the FAN (sports radio 660am). Sure, he isnt exactly JP, but who is. He would make an excellent straightman and field observer. Throw em a couple of bucks MSG!

+ TODD GRISHAM - Yes. WWE Todd Grisham. The Rock Dwayne Grisham. Stone Cold Todd Grisham. Grisham the Giant. Why not? He actually seems to do a better job on FSC doing the pre and post game reports for MLS Saturday (YOU GOTTA GET IN THE GAME!!!!! OH OOOOH OH OOOOOH) than he does getting his face mashed in by Triple H!

Grisham is the PROTOTYPE of straight man. He plays it with a flair that can only be learned from getting elbow dropped while conducting wrestler interviews. Given the chance, I think the guy can excel and add some excitement to the booth.

GRISHAM AND HUDSON = CREAM DREAM BOOTH TEAM!

Ah. Thats my two cents.

Much love to ya JP.