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The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and ESPN announced a one-year agreement to broadcast nine NWSL games during the remainder of the 2014 season. ESPN2 will air three regular-season games and the three NWSL playoff games. This includes both semifinal games (August 23rd and 24th) and the championship game (August 31st). ESPN3 will also live stream three regular season NWSL games.
"We are very excited to announce our new agreement with ESPN," NWSL Executive Director Cheryl Bailey said via press release. "In the midst of our second season, we are striving to provide our fans with improved access to our league matches and airing our games on ESPN2 and ESPN3 will give us a broader platform to expose fans to the amazing caliber of women's soccer in the NWSL. We also hope to create new fans who will appreciate the amazing athletes and personalities in our league."
"This agreement with the NWSL represents ESPN's continued commitment to soccer and to top level women's sports," said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN Senior Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions. "We are excited to showcase this new league and feature some of the best female soccer players in the world leading in to the 2015 FIFA World Cup."
There will also be features and additional coverage on espnW.com by Graham Hays and Julie Foudy.
FC Kansas City will not be featured in the coverage unless they make the playoffs.
2014 NWSL National Television Schedule* |
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Date |
Home Team |
Away Team |
Time (ET) |
TV |
Sunday, July 20, 2014 |
Portland Thorns FC |
Boston Breakers |
5:00 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 |
Houston Dash |
Seattle Reign FC |
9:00 p.m. |
ESPN3 |
Sunday, August 03, 2014 |
Portland Thorns FC |
Houston Dash |
10:00 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
Saturday, August 09, 2014 |
Houston Dash |
Sky Blue FC |
9:00 p.m. |
ESPN3 |
Wednesday, August 13, 2014 |
Western New York Flash |
Sky Blue FC |
7:00 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
Sunday, August 17, 2014 |
Portland Thorns FC |
Seattle Reign FC |
5:00 p.m. |
ESPN3 |
Saturday, August 23, 2014 |
Semifinal |
- |
1:00 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
Sunday, August 24, 2014 |
Semifinal |
- |
3/11 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
Sunday, August 31, 2014 |
Championship |
- |
3:00 p.m. |
ESPN2 |