ESPN’s MLS Production Team Aims For Another Score In Western Conference Final Coverage
LAFC-Austin FC duel Sunday on ABC and ESPN3 for a spot in 2022 MLS Cup; for producer Matt Leach, the match represents another opportunity for unparalleled soccer storytelling
After 12 seasons working on ESPN’s award-winning soccer production team, coordinating producer Matt Leach took the helm of production for Major League Soccer on ABC and ESPN networks in 2022.
In his first year overseeing production for MLS on ABC and ESPN, Major League Soccer had its most-viewed season on the networks since 2007.
Leach and his ESPN production team will be at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday for the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoff Western Conference Final beginning at 3 p.m. ET, live on ABC in English and ESPN3 (Spanish). The single-elimination LAFC-Austin FC match for a spot in the 2022 MLS Cup features the top two teams in the Western Conference.
Front Row caught up with Leach ahead of the last MLS match in 2022:
On two top highlights from the 2022 MLS on ABC and ESPN season
The preparation, energy, focus, and overall commitment that went into our coverage of the MLS All-Star Game in August and our LAFC-LA Galaxy — “El Trafico” — presentation in July. The production of these two games required lots of content planning, collaboration, and teamwork. The final product demonstrated that.
On what fans should expect on LAFC-Austin FC broadcast on Sunday
My expectations for our team this week are the same as every week – a commitment to solid storytelling. However, this game is far more different than a regular season match; the winner gets a chance to play for the title. Innovative storytelling, documenting the action at the highest level, and bringing the viewer as close to the action as possible are goals we strive for in every match. The game on Sunday will be no different.
Our English language announcers Jon Champion and Taylor Twellman are the best in the business. Joined by Jillian Sakovits on the sideline, we are well-positioned to deliver a fantastic Western Conference Final. Our Spanish-language broadcast team, Richard Mendez and Herculez Gomez, is second to none.
While this game’s production crew and quality are top-notch, our announcers are difference-makers in how fans experience Major League Soccer on our platforms.
