New York, NY (November 2, 2021) – MSG Networks and the New York Red Bulls today announced that Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Steve Cangialosi and U.S. soccer legend and former Olympic goalkeeper Shep Messing will be honored for 20 years together as members of the Red Bulls broadcast team during the Red Bulls’ upcoming home match against Atlanta United on Wednesday, November 3. MSG+ will have pregame coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Cangialosi serves as the team’s play-by-play announcer, alongside analyst Messing on MSG Networks, which has been the regional television home of the Red Bulls (previously the MetroStars) since 1996.
“For the last 20 years, Steve and Shep have been the gold standard of soccer broadcasting,” said Bob de Poto, Senior Coordinating Producer, MSG Networks. “As teammates on the air, they have formed such a special connection with Red Bulls fans over the years. We are extremely proud of their continued success together and thrilled for the opportunity to celebrate this special milestone.”
The first ever game featuring Cangialosi and Messing on the broadcast aired on March 23, 2002, when the MetroStars defeated New England by a score of 3-1. During that game, Cangialosi worked as the team’s host and sideline reporter. He later transitioned into his current role as the team’s play-by-play voice in 2008, teaming up with Messing in the booth.
"Some of our club's most memorable moments on the pitch over the last 20 years have come to life through the tandem of Steve and Shep," said Marc de Grandpré, General Manager, New York Red Bulls. "Along with our broadcast partner MSG Networks, we look forward to recognizing their contributions to both our club, and the sport of soccer in the Metro area, on Wednesday evening at Red Bull Arena."
In addition to his Red Bulls coverage, Cangialosi is also in his 11th season as the play-by-play announcer for the New Jersey Devils on MSG Networks. A three-time winner of the “Outstanding Sportscast Award” handed out by the New York State Broadcasters’ Association, Cangialosi’s previous soccer assignments include calling select matches for FOX Sports, Sirius XM-FC and ESPN, most notably the UEFA European Football Championship in 2020. He also called play-by-play for NBC Sports during the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
Throughout his storied goaltending career, Messing played for seven seasons with several different teams in the North American Soccer League, including the New York Cosmos. He later signed on with the Major Indoor Soccer League, where he played six seasons and led the New York Arrows to four Championships. He was also a member of the U.S. soccer team at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Other broadcasting assignments throughout Messing’s career include working as a color analyst on ESPN’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup and NBC Sports’ soccer coverage of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.
About MSG Networks
MSG Networks, a pioneer in sports media, owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks and a companion streaming service that serve the nation’s number one media market, the New York DMA, as well as other portions of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The networks feature a wide range of compelling sports content, including exclusive live local games and other programming of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, as well as significant coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. This content, in addition to a diverse array of other sporting events and critically acclaimed original programming, has established MSG Networks as the gold standard in regional sports. MSG Networks is a subsidiary of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
