NBC Sports Raises the Bar for American Soccer Coverage with MLS 36

This past week saw NBC Sports unveil the first episode in their MLS 36. MLS 36 is a series where NBC Sports follows an MLS player for 36 hours. The episodes take a behind the scenes look into a player's life in and out of the game.

The first installment in the series followed MLS leading scorer Chris Wondolowski leading up to and thru the MLS All-Star game against Chelsea. The 30 minute episode gave an exclusive look into how Chris goes about his time leading up to the game.

MLS 36 sprinkles in some comments from other players and coaches to give a perspective on the player of focus. In Wondo's episode, it was interesting to hear what fellow MLS competitors like Kyle Beckerman had to say about Chris.

The first episode was done really well, and if NBC Sports continues to produce the series to this level, then fans will be well pleased. From seeing Wondo's reaction to having to accompany his wife on a non-stop tourist walk of Philadelphia to Chelsea's John Terry telling Chris he has "incredible movement," NBC Sports gives us a lot of gems that are hidden from our everyday viewing.

Hopefully this series catches on with soccer fans and they tune in regularly. Coverage like this allows us to get to know the players of our home soccer league. The more people see about many of these likeable players, the more fans MLS stands to gain. In the end, that is the kind of exposure MLS needs.

Well done NBC Sports, well done.