2023 World Soccer Talk Awards winners announced
In the 2023 edition of the World Soccer Talk Awards, more than 39,000 votes were cast to decide the best in English-language soccer media. In categories for presenters, TV coverage, podcasts and more, you chose your favorites from the world of soccer coverage. And now we’re proud to present the 2023 World Soccer Talk Awards winners.
Below you’ll find this year’s honorees, so see if your favorites won.
2023 World Soccer Talk Awards Winners:
Best TV Coverage
The top two spots flipped from 2022, with CBS Sports overtaking NBC Sports as the top dogs.
CBS’s coverage across Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, and the new CBS Sports Golazo Network were enough to push CBS over the top. As the home of an ever-growing list of soccer competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, NWSL, and more, CBS has fast become a go-to soccer destination for fans in the US.
Winner: CBS Sports
Runner Up: NBC Sports
See voting results on the Best TV Coverage page.
Best Streaming Service
CBS has flipped another race, with Paramount+ knocking off 2022 winner ESPN+.
The wide array of top competitions, including the biggest of all, Champions League, was a hit with readers. The CBS Sports Golazo Network is also available on the service, which included the surprise addition of select US Open Cup matches this season. And of course, Paramount+ goes beyond sports, with a ton of shows and movies included as well.
Winner: Paramount+
Runner Up: ESPN+
See voting results on the Best Streaming Service page.
Best TV Presenter
Kate Abdo has been crowned best TV Presenter for 2023, edging out Rebecca Lowe. It’s another win for the CBS Sports family, as Abdo hosts coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Concacaf Nations League on Paramount+.
Winner: Kate Abdo
Runner Up: Rebecca Lowe
See voting results on the Best TV Presenter page.
Best Studio Analyst
In a two-horse race, Alexis Guerreros beat out his fellow CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry for top honors. The Cooligans podcast co-host joined the Morning Footy show on the CBS Sports Golazo Network when it launched this spring, and his comedy has added to the show.
Winner: Alexis Guerreros
Runner Up: Thierry Henry
See voting results on the Best Studio Analyst page.
Best Commentator:
It was a close fight to the finish, but Keith Costigan came out on top to take the title of Best Commentator 2023.
With experience calling games in the Bundesliga, Gold Cup and Europa League, Costigan has become one of the top voices of MLS in 2023 as part of the the MLS Season Pass commentary team.
Winner: Keith Costigan
Runner Up: Rob Palmer
See voting results on the Best Commentator page.
Best Co-commentator:
One of the most prolific and well-known voices of soccer in our time, Jim Beglin has run away with the Best Co-Commentator Award for 2023. With 60% of the vote, and no other nominee garnering higher than 6%, this one one of the most lopsided categories this year.
Beglin is a familiar voice for fans tuning in to the Premier League on NBC Sports this past season, across USA, NBC and Peacock.
Winner: Jim Beglin
Runner Up: Stewart Robson
See voting results on the Best Co-commentator page.
Best YouTube Channel:
We have a new top dog for Best YouTube Channel, as ESPN FC overtook 2022 winner Tifo Football in a close battle.
ESPN itself may no longer air as much live soccer as it once did. But the ESPN FC crew on YouTube still delivers robust and diverse coverage and analysis of the world’s game daily for “The Worldwide Leader in Sports.”
Winner: ESPN FC
Runner Up: Tifo Football
See voting results on the Best YouTube Channel page.
Best Fan YouTube Channel:
Last year’s winners Redmen TV has to settle for a silver medal in 2023, as The Bayern View cruised to the number one spot this year.
The Bayern View gives you the fan’s perspective on one of the biggest clubs in the world, and Germany’s most dominant side in recent history, Bayern Munich. Whether it’s transfer news, match reactions or shirt reviews, The Bayern View has FCB covered.
Winner: The Bayern View
Runner Up: Redmen TV
See voting results on the Best Fan YouTube Channel page.
Best Daily TV Show:
A new category for 2023, the Best Daily TV Show has been awarded to Morning Footy!
CBS Sports’ new addition, as part of the CBS Sports Golazo Network, has proven to be very popular with fans. The daily coverage and studio team have been very welcome addition to the soccer coverage landscape.
Winner: Morning Footy
Runner Up: ESPN FC
See voting results on the Best Daily TV Show page.
Best Podcast:
The first repeat winner from 2022, it’s The Scuffed Podcast holding on to their crown as 2023 Best Podcast!
Over 17,000 readers voted, and made The Scuffed Podcast the clear favorite this year, beating out Caught Offside with 56% of the vote to 34%. Covering the men’s and women’s United States national teams, Scuffed continues to deliver quality insights on the American game.
Winner: The Scuffed Podcast
Runner Up: Caught Offside
See voting results on the Best Podcast page.
Best Club Podcast:
Host Chuck Smith and Bavarian Football Works once again take home top honors as Best Club Podcast for 2023. This Bayern Munich podcast fended off a strong showing from the Charlotte Soccer Show to hold on to the title, with 54% of the vote.
Winner: Bavarian Football Works
Runner Up: Charlotte Soccer Show
See voting results on the Best Club Podcast page.
Best Podcast Host:
It’s another repeat winner. Total Soccer Show podcast host Taylor Rockwell has again captured the title of Best Podcast Host, winning the race with nearly 50% of the votes over Men In Blazers’ Roger Bennett.
Congratulations to Taylor and the Total Soccer Show crew.
Winner: Taylor Rockwell
Runner Up: Roger Bennett
See voting results on the Best Podcast Host page.
Best Podcast Analyst:
For the second year in a row, Herculez Gomez finishes in the top spot. Bundesliga expert Rafa Honigstein is in second place in the 2023 Best Podcast Analyst category.
The former USMNT forward and Fútbol Americas co-host scored a relatively easy victory with 45% of the vote en route to a repeat title.
Winner: Herculez Gomez
Runner Up: Rafa Honigstein
See voting results on the Best Podcast Analyst page.
Best Website:
Move over, The Athletic – there’s a new best website in town. Equalizer Soccer has edged the 2022 winner to take the 2023 Award.
Equalizer delivers unparalleled coverage relating to the USWNT, NWSL, and all of women’s soccer. With the 2023 Women’s World Cup imminent, and the women’s game continuing to grow and improve worldwide – including the upcoming addition of a second American D1 league – Equalizer Soccer is an essential resource.
Winner: Equalizer Soccer
Runner Up: The Athletic
See voting results on the Best Website page.
Best Writer:
The Athletic’s Tom Bogert is your choice for the 2023 Best Writer Award!
Covering MLS and transfer talk, Bogert’s reporting on the highest levels of the American game have earned him the highest honors in the 2023 World Soccer Talk Awards.
Winner: Tom Bogert
Runner Up: Elias Burke
See voting results on the Best Writer page.
Thank you to everyone who voted in this year’s awards, and congratulations to all the World Soccer Talk Awards winners!