Host Jessica Kleinschmidt talks with Apple TV MLS broadcaster Jake Zivin. Kleinschmidt and Zivin discuss Lionel Messi’s MLS debut, working MLS games for Apple TV, developing chemistry with Taylor Twellman, and more.
Here’s the full breakdown.
- 1:47: Welcome Jake Zivin to Short and to the Point/Growing up an MLS fan
- 3:57: Living a dream broadcasting MLS games
- 5:26: Taylor Twellman
- 7:35: Finding a balance between being informative and entertaining on a broadcast
- 9:22: Making play-by-play look effortless
- 11:12: Soccer benefiting from advanced analytics on broadcasts
- 13:20: Staying true to the game even with incorporating analytics
- 15:14: Encountering fan comments on social media
- 17:42: Lionel Messi in MLS, working his Inter Miami debut
- 20:54: Creating history with Messi being on commentary
- 23:30: Goal calls
- 25:33: Doing play-by-play as a kid
- 28:18: Will the love of soccer fade?
- 29:48: Point where soccer “made it” in the United States
- 34:29: Younger players making MLS a “league of choice” because of Messi
Thanks for listening, and if you enjoyed the show, be sure to subscribe and leave us a positive review wherever you get our podcasts.

About Phillip Bupp
Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp
Recent Posts
‘I didn’t really want to hurt her’: Ronda Rousey wins fight in just 17 seconds
Ronda Rousey is already one of the most legendary fighters in Mixed Martial Arts history, and she only...
‘Robbery’: WNBA’s ‘egregious’ Caitlin Clark mistake sparks outrage
After a very slow start in Friday’s game against the Washington Mystics, Caitlin Clark eventually came alive with...
‘Flop Karma’: James Harden flopping led to scary moment for teammate
This was almost really bad.
Donovan Mitchell not ‘dwelling,’ ready for Game 7 despite struggles
"It’s going to take every little bit of energy and effort."
‘I’ve seen enough’: Fans turned on Caitlin Clark for ‘extreme poor shooting’
Caitlin Clark entered Friday night’s game against the Washington Mystics hoping to snap her three-point shooting slump. Unfortunately,...
‘You just become hypercautious’: Caitlin Clark faces ‘mental hurdle’ after injury
Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark missed all but 13 games last season as a result of an injury....