What happens when 14 Major League Soccer (MLS) players, legends and celebrities trade their boots for tires and a chance to get behind the wheel of a 2015 Lamborghini? The short format feature, “What’Cha Got”, presented by Continental Tire.
Hosted by TUDOR United SportsCar Championship driver, Townsend Bell, this show will bring out the competitive edge in some of soccer’s top names. Airing on FOX Sports 1 as part of the “Soccer Sunday” lineup, this weekly show takes players from the pitch to the track and showcases some hidden talent.
Chicago Fire goalie, Sean Johnson, snatched the keys to the Lamborghini in 2014. In fact, you may have seen him cruising the streets of Chicago in his new ride. Johnson went head-to-head with fellow goalie, Dan Kennedy, in last year’s finale and demonstrated his quick reflexes, speed and dedication as he claimed the grand prize.
“It’s been an unbelievable experience,” said Johnson. “The day I figured out that I won the Lamborghini you can never really put your finger on what the emotion actually feels like when you get the car. When you actually step in the car and figure out it’s yours, it’s outrageous. It’s an unbelievable piece of machinery. I’ve been driving in Chicago and turning lots of heads.”
When asked if he’s taken his “What’Cha Got” ride to the track, Johnson said, “I have not had a chance to go on the track yet.” Johnson continued, “Now that it’s warmed up a little bit in Chicago I’m definitely going to take it out to the track. I’ve actually got some new Continental’s on my 370Z and have taken it out to the track so I’m working my way up to the Lamborghini.”
As for his advice to this year’s participants, well, it’s pretty simple says Johnson, “To grab the wheel and hold on for dear life. It’s an intense ride but just being calm and collected through the course and finding that balance between aggression and being calculated is the most important thing.”
The weekly series features 14 MLS notables swapping their daily driver for a turn behind the wheel of a Lamborghini. Each participant puts their best foot forward to make it through a closed-circuit autocross course.
Seven participants from the east, and seven from the west, square off in a battle similar to the shootout at the O.K. Corral. In the end, two will be left standing to contend for the chance to win a year-long lease of a 2015 Lamborghini fitted in Continental’s ultra-high performance tire, the ContiSportContactTM 5P.
This season’s roster showcases a mix of U.S. soccer legends, MLS favorites and media darlings. The 14 participants include:
Alexi Lalas – US soccer legend/FOX analyst (West)
Andrew Farrell – New England Revolution (East)
Cobi Jones – U.S. soccer legend/FOX analyst (West)
Dom Dwyer – Sporting KC (West)
Gyasi Zardes – LA Galaxy (West)
Jordan Stewart – San Jose Earthquakes (West)
Julie Stewart-Binks – FOX personality (East)
Lee Nguyen – New England Revolution (East)
Lovel Palmer – Chicago Fire (East)
Marcelo Sarvas – Colorado Rapids (West)
Matt Besler – Sporting KC (West)
Maurice Edu – Philadelphia Union (East)
Perry Kitchen – DC United (East)
Tony Meola – U.S. soccer legend/FOX analyst (East)
The first episode kicks off during the pre-game coverage for the AT&T MLS All-Star Game on FOX Sports 1 this Wednesday, July 29. Beginning August 9, “What’Cha Got” will follow the Soccer Sunday game of the week on FOX Sports 1, featuring a different participant each week with the finale airing in late November.