Tommy Smyth

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Tommy Michael Smyth (born in Knockbridge, County Louth, Ireland) is best known as a color commentator for ESPN, which he joined in February 1993 as a soccer analyst. He provides color commentary or in-studio analysis for most major soccer events. He also commentates on Gaelic games, horse racing and harness racing for ESPN.

Smyth moved to the United States in 1963 following a brief football career with a local Irish team. In America, he played with the Shamrock Club in the German American Soccer League.

Smyth was the voice of the MetroStars of Major League Soccer from the team's inception in 1996 to the early 2000s, when his ESPN contract prohibited him from working for the MSG Network.

Tommys trademark is a strong Irish accent combined with a requirement to Americanize the commentary. E.g. "Roberto Carlos, left back may be his address but you never find him home there". Smyth is known for signing off when commentating as "Tommy Smyth... with a wooooooy (Y)", and for his description of a ball flying into the net when a goal is scored as "a bulge in the auld onion bag."

He currently commentates on the UEFA Champions League games with Derek Rae. Smyth has also commentated on MLS games and a few World Cups for ESPN, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he partnered with Adrian Healey.