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Friday, December 13, 2002
ABC Sports announces World Cup schedule
The 2002 FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious sporting tournament in the world, comes to ABC Sports with exclusive network coverage of nine matches, including live coverage of the World Cup title match on SUNDAY, JUNE 30 (6:30 a.m. ET), from Yokohama, Japan.
In conjunction with Major League Soccer, ABC Sports will combine with ESPN and ESPN2 to present coverage of all 64 matches of the 2002 FIFA World Cup from May 31 to June 30 at different sites in South Korea and Japan. A rebroadcast of the title game can be seen on ABC Sports at 12:30 p.m. ET, also on June 30.
| WORLD CUP TV SCHEDULE |
| June 1 |
3:30 p.m. ET |
Ireland vs. Cameroon |
| June 2 |
3:30 p.m. ET |
England vs. Sweden |
| June 8 |
1 p.m. ET |
Argentina vs. England |
| June 15 |
1 p.m. ET |
Poland vs. United States |
| June 15 |
3:30 p.m. ET |
Round of 16 Match |
| June 16 |
1:30 p.m. ET |
Round of 16 Match |
| June 22 |
1:30 p.m. ET |
Quarterfinal Match |
| June 29 |
1:30 p.m. ET |
Third Place Match |
| June 30 |
6:30 a.m. ET |
Championship Match (LIVE) |
| June 30 |
12:30 p.m. ET |
Championship Match (REPLAY) |
UNINTERRUPTED COVERAGE
To ensure uninterrupted coverage of the matches, the networks will not air commercials during the two 45-minute halves, similarly to the 1998 World Cup and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. Commercials will be featured during the pre-game, halftime and post-game segments. Sponsors will receive further exposure with their logos superimposed on the screen during the game. Additionally, the telecasts will feature the continuous score and clock that ABC Sports, ESPN and ESPN2 first introduced on American television during the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
U.S. NATIONAL TEAM
Head coach Bruce Arena took over following the 1998 World Cup, and has the U.S. team playing at a high level. During 2002, the team has compiled a 7-3-1 record with impressive wins over Mexico, Ecuador and Costa Rica.
Leading the way for Coach Arena's squad are forwards Clint Mathis and Brian McBride and midfielder Claudio Reyna. Mathis, a standout with the MLS MetroStars, leads the national team with five goals, and has become the feared striker that Arena has been seeking. Paired with McBride (four goals), he gives the U.S. team its most dynamic scoring duo ever. Team captain Reyna, who plays for Sunderland of the English Premier League, is one of the more experienced members of the team with 86 international matches played.
During World Cup 2002, Team USA will play first-round matches against Portugal, Poland and host Korea Republic, with a realistic chance of advancing to the round-of-16.
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