2014 World Cup

Korean players even said the Portuguese players were trying to talk them into fixing the game and have it remain 0-0. Of course, that may have been possible had Portugal not had two red cards.

 

That US chant is SUPER annoying.

The idiots on Sportscenter yesterday morning were chanting it back and forth, it was as annoying as anything Berman has ever said.

The new Sportscenter anchor looks a little like Starla from the Simpsons

 

There was also absolutely no other sports competition, or even first-run TV entertainment competition that I'm aware of. All of the sports items for the day, even a late-starting NASCAR race, were over or ending when the soccer game started.
If the World Series started at 6 p.m. Sunday it'd get eaten alive by the NFL. Agree that it and the NBA Finals ought to start earlier during the week, though.

The World Cup is also a special event with a good dose of national pride attached, akin to the Olympics, and held in the summer when people can devote more time and attention to it. Even a great EPL game of the week in that time slot is not pulling a 9.1.
That World Cup number is phenomenal and should be applauded. Just needs to be pointed out that there are reasons for it, too, that go beyond Americans' increasing appreciation for soccer.
Of course, 10 years from now when the MLS is our fifth major league, this might be looked at as the turning point. What do I know?

 

This is an event, like the Super Bowl, where people are watching in crowds, whether its 10,000 or 20 people in a house.

I don't believe that 9.1 for a second.

 

It's certainly on the low end of the spectrum.

 

6.5 million watched US-Portugal on Univision.

 

There aren't four major leagues now.

 

You think it's low? The USA-Brazil game in 1994 only got a 10.4.

 

ESPN averaged 18.2 million for the entire match. It peaked with 22.9 million watching from 7:30 to 8 p.m.

 

Meanwhile, Brazil being knocked out seemed pretty plausible for a few minutes there. Well, not really, but still...