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The 2023 MLS season begins Feb. 25 with a massive change in the league's broadcast partnership. The 28th season marks the first without ESPN airing matches and the end of local broadcasts after MLS struck a national 10-year deal with Apple.
Beginning Feb. 1, you can subscribe to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app for $14.99 per month or $99 per season. If you're already an Apple TV+ subscriber, the cost is reduced to either $12.99 per month or $79 per season.
MLS Season Pass gives you access to every single match (regular season, MLS Cup Playoffs and Leagues Cup) on any device. It's also going to be available in over 100 countries and regions, giving MLS its largest potential audience ever. All matches will feature commentary in either English or Spanish, and both pregame and postgame shows will also be available in both languages. French will be an option in matches with Canadian teams.
The end of local broadcasts was sad news, but we'll no longer have local blackouts or face the impossible task, for example, of watching a match on Bally Sports North Plus. It's a bold new direction for the league, and the biggest remaining question mark was the all-important unveiling of the MLS Apple TV announcers.
On Tuesday, Apple announced the initial members of its team. According to the Apple Newsroom release, the complete on-air team will be named prior to the start of the season.
MLS Apple TV Announcers
Play-by-play commentators
Max Bretos (Play-By-Play)
Bretos was recently the play-by-play guy for LAFC, but he's hugely experienced with previous work for ESPN and as Fox Soccer's lead announcer for a long period. His goal call ("yeuus") is godawful, but we can look beyond that.
Steve Cangialosi (Play-By-Play)
Recently the play-by-play announcer for the NHL's New Jersey Devils (replacing the legendary "Doc" Emrick in 2011) and the New York Red Bulls, Cangialosi has also done the Olympic Games, the Gold Cup, Europa League and a bunch of other European leagues for ESPN.
Jake Zivin (Play-By-Play)
Recently the play-by-play commentator for the Portland Timbers, Zivin was also previously with Fox Sports calling matches at the Copa América, Gold Cup, SheBelieves Cup and Concacaf Champions League.
Pablo Ramírez (Play-By-Play)
The Jalisco native made a name for himself on Univision over the last two decades, covering MLS and four World Cups. He'll lead the Spanish-language broadcasts.
Frederic Lord (Play-By-Play)
Lord has been working as CF Montréal's play-by-play commentator since 2012, and he'll be a lead voice on French broadcasts.
Match analysts
Kyndra de St. Aubin (Match Analyst)
St. Aubin made a name for herself as an analyst for Minnesota United, and then she earned national recognition by covering the 2015 and 2019 Women's World Cups for FOX Sports.
Maurice Edu (Match Analyst)
We all just spent a month with Edu at the 2022 World Cup on FOX Sports. He's also recently been working with Atlanta United and CBS Sports.
Lori Lindsey (Match Analyst)
The former USWNT player has been working as an analyst for both ESPN and CBS Sports. She also worked as a sideline reporter for Nashville.
Danielle Slaton (Match Analyst)
The former USWNT defender recently worked as an analyst for the San Jose Earthquakes and FOX Sports.
Taylor Twellman (Match Analyst)
Couldn’t be happier to announce I will be a part of the @MLS project with @AppleTV. The ability to unapologetically cover @MLS is something that hasn’t been done in 27 years. @AppleTV is making that possible. The @MLS fan deserves this moment & this coverage. #MLS pic.twitter.com/hbYv5b1LTn
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) January 10, 2023
Marcelo Balboa (Match Analyst)
The former USMNT defender has most frequently been seen doing Spanish-language work for Univision, but he also spent 15 years calling Colorado Rapids games for Altitude. He'll be a Spanish-language analyst for MLS Season Pass.
Sébastien Le Toux (Match Analyst)
The Frenchman played for six different clubs in MLS, but he's mainly known for his time with the Philadelphia Union (making the MLS Best XI in 2010). He'll work as a French-language analyst.
Liam McHugh (Studio Host)
Mainly known for his work as the host of NHL on TNT, McHugh has also been the lead host for NBCSN's coverage of the Premier League. He's going to work as the cohost of a weekly highlights show — this is already better than anything ESPN ever gave us.
Jillian Sakovits (Studio Host)
Worked as a host for Atlanta United's pregame and postgame show locally, but she's also featured nationally as a sideline reporter during ESPN soccer coverage. She'll work as a pregame studio host.
Tony Cherchi (Studio Host)
He's covered the game for ESPN and Univision, and now he'll work as a Spanish-language studio host.
Diego Valeri (Studio Analyst)
The 2017 MLS MVP retired last June and will serve as a Spanish-language studio analyst.
Sacha Kljestan (Studio Analyst)
Kljestan just announced his retirement after three years with the LA Galaxy, and the former USMNT midfielder joins as a studio analyst.
Bradley Wright-Phillips (Studio Analyst)
The New York Red Bulls legend and two-time MLS Golden Boot winner is going to work as an analyst on the weekly highlights show.
