Max Bretos

Interview: Max Bretos

FOX Sports World

October 6, 2004

Throughout the history of live televised soccer matches in the U.S. there has not been too much to get excited about in regards to live match play-by-play. Over the past few years some spice and energy has enlightened the telecasts in the form of Max Bretos. Fans have become accustom to his player knowledge, witty sense of humor and his 'Maxisms'. All of which equate to a much more entertaining live soccer telecast. Fortunately for me, Max took the time to answer a few of my questions. Here's how it went:

SoccerLoop: Max, first off, great job with the broadcasts on Fox Sports World. How did you get involved with the game and how did you get involved with FSW?

Max Bretos: I had the good fortune of being able to travel a lot when I was young. Our family lived in Australia eight years. We spent some time in Colombia and Mexico and traveled in some way or form to each continent (except Africa). Along the way the one constant for me was the games people played, I loved to learn the culture of sport, and soccer was generally inter woven everywhere. Now, when I moved to L.A. 10 years ago I noticed every channel had sporadic coverage of International sport, I consumed any coverage there was, and hoped one day there would be a channel dedicated to International sport and that I, with my wealth of knowledge would work there.

Lo and behold, as I was working in the Programming Department for Prime Deportiva, talk began of starting an English Language International sport channel. I had to be part of it, and inundated the new channel with demo tapes of me doing play by play. Eventually, they gave me a shot doing little known Argentine soccer after I agreed to work for free, and then it snowballed.

SL: FSW carries most of the best leagues in the world. What is your favorite league and why?

MB: I always loved the color and atmosphere of the Argentine League, but the play on the field suffers due to the constant raiding of the league. I love the competitive nature and crowd participation of the Premier League, but at the end of the day my favorite is still the Serie A. The wide spectrum of players from all four corners of the world playing alongside homegrown Italian players creates an interesting contrast. Mostly I like the derby's there, in Milan, Rome, even a Southern Derby like Lecce and Bari gets the juices flowing. Additionally, the league always has no shortage of fantastic finishes and goals, plus the added touch of scandal and corruption adds intrigue.

SL: You do commentary for the televion broadcasts for the LA Galaxy. Are you partial to them?

MB: Not at first, but the more I have worked for them, the more I have become partial. Working for them you feel like part of the team, and the guys are really easy to pull for. I am sure you could say that about any team in MLS, there are few egos. But it just so happens I work for L.A. and they are my boys. There is more of a Major League feel with the Galaxy, and it is great to be part of that.

SL: What is your prediction for the MLS Cup this season?

MB: I have a poor track record for this, but here goes Metrostars over KC. It's so hard to pick this year with all the parity.

SL: What are your thoughts on MLS going to a Single Table next season as well as adding Reserve Teams? Also, what are your thoughts on Promotion/Relegation in the U.S.?

MB: Well firstly, the single table is a great idea, so that the best teams make the playoffs. This year for instance it appears the Third and maybe the fourth Eastern Conference team will make the playoffs despite having less points than the fifth place Western team. Put the best records in.

With regards to reserve teams, I am not crazy about it. These kids are going to be making peanuts, go to college or play in the A-League. Maybe when the league gets on steadier ground. It seems like there are already several outlets for player development as it is.

I love promotion/relegation as a tool to keep fans interested when their clubs are not competing for the MLS Cup, however, that is also an issue for the future. With 10 teams in MLS and all of them still in the running for the playoffs, there is no need for it. One day, when there is more expansion perhaps.

SL: Mr. Toofan Amanpour has stated that he may purchase the San Jose Earthquakes. He said that he would allow 1000 Iranian-Americans to become shareholders for the team and he would eventually like to have a team full of Iranian-Americans and Iranians. What are your thoughts?

MB: I do not like the thought of him making the club 100% Iranian, maybe he could have a quota of American kids. It is great to have that sort of interest, and let's face it a big percentage of fans in the U.S. are made up of specific ethnic groups, but that is what makes the soccer culture in the states so dynamic, that we can bring all these backgrounds together on the pitch. I am all for giving the club an Iranian feel, nickname etc. it is just the player issue I am not crazy about.

Hey, when I lived in Australia I played for the big Jewish team in Sydney they were great people, I sure am glad they did not block the doors to this Catholic kid. This situation would be similar to Chivas USA in the sense that they will field a team with Mexiacans and Mexican-Americans.

Are these scenarios good for MLS? They are good because you know the investors are soccer people. They do not need advisors, like front office people at other clubs have required. It is also good because, it is a move to where these clubs will act independently, which is something MLS clubs have never done. Let each club create it's own identity. I just hope opportunities are not taken away from young American players.

SL: What are your thoughts on the Galaxy and Chivas USA both calling the HDC home?

MB: Well, as a Galaxy supporter, I am not crazy about it, I am warming up to it a bit because it will add fuel to the fire of the new rivalry, but in the end it is clearly a money issue. The HDC has to be paid for, and adding a new tenant is the way to do it. I hope Jorge Vergara, with his deep pockets, intends on creating his own home some day. In the end I am just glad we have that venue, so that we can argue this. I like the fact that in L.A. we are getting a little spoiled with regards to soccer. It is going to be something.

SL: On another topic, the new Salt Lake City team may be named Real Salt Lake. Does that sound good to you? Thoughts?

MB: Don't like it, I am all for using traditional names for MLS clubs. D.C. United is great; FC Dallas also gets my approval. It is just the way that the name sounds, gives one the feeling that the Lake is real salty. Hey, maybe they come into the League, do well and the name rolls off the tongue one day.

SL: Do you expect any surprises coming out of CONCACAF WC Qualifying?

MB: The U.S. has me a little worried, they have not really paddled teams the way I know they can, but they should get through. It is clear there is more depth in the region with Panama, Guatemala and further down Haiti and Cuba all improving, that will cost somebody probably Costa Rica and maybe Honduras who have a rich tradition of blowing it. Guatemala will be at Germany 2006.

SL: What can we expect to see from FSW in regards to Champions League matches as well as UEFA Cup? What about college matches?

MB: The good old UEFA Cup will always be there. (I) can't wait to broadcast the competitions first surprise result. With regards to the Champions League maybe one day I will be able to broadcast them. I know ESPN does a great job on their International coverage of the competition, but here in the states we don't get to see too many of the games. If you can't show them shuttle them over here, we will love to do it.

With regards to college matches on FSW (I) have not heard anything. Wouldn’t rule it out, but nothing for now.

Interview by: Steven Patton