David Beckham's Soccer USA
A lighthearted MLS show with British and American versions.
David Beckham's Soccer USA was a UK television programme on Five, hosted by Tim Lovejoy, that covered Major League Soccer highlights and discussion. It launched after Beckham joined the LA Galaxy, and he frequently appeared via interviews. Each week, a British sports personality joined Lovejoy in the studio to discuss their career and opinions on MLS. A separate version, hosted by Natalie Pinkham and containing no British studio footage, aired in the US on Fox Soccer Channel.
The show included regular features beyond MLS highlights. One segment, "How to Speak U.S. Commentator," translated American commentary slang for British viewers. Viewers could also email their choice of an MLS team to support, with the results used to determine the nation's most popular clubs.
The programme had a lighthearted tone and several running gags. Lovejoy began each episode by declaring himself a fan of Chelsea and the Kansas City Wizards, then saying "Go Wizards" as a silver flash crossed the screen, which he attempted to follow with his hand—often missing the timing for comic effect. Guests frequently mentioned Scottish player Paul Dalglish of the Houston Dynamo, prompting Lovejoy to joke the show should be renamed "Paul Dalglish's Soccer USA." Lovejoy would sometimes deliver an "update" on an MLS club, such as "Houston Update" or "New England Update," then follow with a "Dallas update" that discussed the TV soap opera rather than FC Dallas. He also regularly showed a clip of player Logan Pause, after which Lovejoy would freeze in place for about five seconds, pretending to have been paused.
The American version, hosted by Natalie Pinkham, was filmed on location at MLS events and presented as a serious highlights show, with all English narration by JP Dellacamera. The British version was a lighthearted, educational look at MLS and US soccer, and its highlight packages used the original broadcast commentators—sometimes in English, sometimes in Spanish, depending on the source.
Quick Facts
- Runtime
- 30-45 minutes
- Starring
- Tim Lovejoy, / Natalie Pinkham
- Country
- United Kingdom, / United States
- Language
- English
- Network
- Five / Fox Soccer Channel
- First Aired
- 2007-07-25
- Last Aired
- 2007-10-17
- Num Episodes
- 13
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The show was presented in a light-hearted manner and contained a variety of running gags. At the beginning of each show, Lovejoy introduced himself as a Chelsea and Kansas Wizards fan, after which he said 'Go Wizards'. A silver curving flash then appeared across the screen and the presenter moved his hand in the direction of the flash as it moved across the screen; the flash and Lovejoy's hand were almost never co-ordinated, adding a comic element. Many guests referred to Scottish player Paul Dalglish, who played for the Houston Dynamo, which led Lovejoy to suggest the title of the programme be changed to 'Paul Dalglish's Soccer USA'.
Reader's Guide
David Beckham's Soccer USA served as a bridge between British and American soccer cultures during the period following Beckham's move to Major League Soccer. The British version, hosted by Tim Lovejoy, was an educational and humorous look at MLS, featuring regular segments such as 'How to Speak U.S. Commentator', which defined American slang used by commentators. Viewers could e-mail their choice of an MLS team to support, and polls were collected to determine the nation's favourite teams. The American version, hosted by Natalie Pinkham, was a serious highlight show with game footage narrated by JP Dellacamera. The show's dual formats reflected the differing expectations of audiences in each country, and its running gags—such as the 'Dallas update' about the soap opera rather than FC Dallas—added a distinctive comedic identity to the UK broadcast.
Did You Know?
- The show began following David Beckham's move to Los Angeles Galaxy.
- Lovejoy sometimes gave a 'Dallas update' that discussed the soap opera Dallas rather than FC Dallas.
- The American version was hosted by Natalie Pinkham and was devoid of any content derived from British studio footage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is David Beckham's Soccer USA?
It is a British television sports programme that aired on Five, centred on Major League Soccer highlights and studio discussion. The show was created around the time Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy, and he appeared regularly through interview segments.
Who hosts David Beckham's Soccer USA?
Tim Lovejoy presented the UK version on Five, while a separate American edition on Fox Soccer Channel was hosted by Natalie Pinkham. Each week, Lovejoy was joined in the studio by a British sports personality for career and MLS discussion.
What segments appear on David Beckham's Soccer USA?
Beyond MLS match highlights, the show featured a weekly guest discussion with a British sports figure and a recurring bit called 'How to Speak U.S. Commentator' that translated American broadcast jargon. The overall tone kept things light and accessible for a UK audience.
Is there a US version of David Beckham's Soccer USA?
Yes, a distinct cut of the programme aired on Fox Soccer Channel in America, hosted by Natalie Pinkham. That version omitted the British studio footage entirely.
Why is David Beckham's Soccer USA notable?
It brought regular MLS coverage to a British television audience at a moment when the league was gaining international attention through Beckham's move to the Galaxy. The show's lighthearted, cross-Atlantic format made it a distinctive entry in sports broadcasting.
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