Soccer is not common fodder for ESPN. On Sportscenter, soccer shows up once and a while, and while all MLS and US National Team games are shown, others are rather rare. Maybe an "ESPN Deportes" update with a couple goals shown from all the games of the world in the past week. In the Top 10 Plays, maybe an absolutely nasty goal will get the 8th spot or something. The only time they ever really promote soccer is when it involves the UEFA Champions League because...THEY SHOW IT. While I was thrilled that ESPN picked up the games, thinking it would result in a lot more exposure, I really don't see a huge difference yet as there is no real independent analysis. If ESPN picked up La Liga or Premiership games, I think it would result in a huge boon in the sport's interest, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.
The reason I bring this all up is that the Top 10 Plays segment today was made up of the Top 10 plays from this year's Champion League! A rather strong list, though lacking some good contenders, and I liked that Iniesta's goal is first due to its importance. The anchor, don't know his name, kept referencing how much he loves soccer and how he freaked out during the Essien goal in the Barcelona game. All in all, very encouraging signs that the world's biggest sports network is dedicating its most popular segment of its popular and iconic show to soccer, even if only for a day.
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