No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeBrazil 2014ESPN announcer prepares for the World Cup by doing play-by-play of an...

ESPN announcer prepares for the World Cup by doing play-by-play of an awkward first date

ESPN commentator Ian Darke, who is awesome, and responsible for a pair of the most exciting calls in U.S. soccer history (see below) also has some comedy chops it appears.

Darke will be ESPN’s lead play-by-play announcer for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. To warm up for the tournament, Darke announced an uncomfortable first date in this fantastic ad for ESPN. “Mind you, they said David wouldn’t have a prayer with Goliath, didn’t they?” says Darke, providing pitch-perfect commentary about the mismatched couple. He’ll probably have similar remarks to make when he calls the World Cup opener on June 12 between Brazil and Croatia.

With the World Cup just 10 weeks away, why not relive some of Darke’s best international calls too:

U.S. men vs. Algeria in 2010

U.S. women vs. Brazil in 2011

Trending Now

Funny English Shirts in Costa Rica and What They Really Mean

I recently took a bus from San Jose over the Cerro del Muerte to Pérez Zeledón. The driver was a young man around thirty....

El Salvador’s Bukele to Break Ground on Costa Rica’s Mega-Prison

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador plans to arrive in Costa Rica next week for an official visit focused on the country's new high-security...

New York Times Spotlights Costa Rica’s Osa as Top 2026 Travel Pick

The Osa Peninsula has landed on The New York Times' annual list of 52 places to visit in 2026, ranking fourth overall. This recognition...

Political Campaigns Ramp Up in Costa Rica as Holiday Ban Ends

With the new year underway, Costa Rica's political scene shifts back into high gear. The mandatory holiday truce on campaigning, enforced from December 16...

Dubai Duty Free New Year’s Draw Makes Costa Rican Millionaire

A resident of Costa Rica has claimed a major prize in an international lottery, marking a milestone for not only for him (understatement of...

Guanacaste Leads Coastal Recovery in Costa Rica Real Estate

Costa Rica’s real estate market heads into 2026 with steady footing after recent adjustments in high-end coastal areas. Buyers and investors find a landscape...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica