The United States’ 2-2 World Cup draw with Portugal is almost certainly the most-watched football game ever in the US, an emphatic confirmation of the sport’s rising popularity in a country slower to embrace it than the rest of the world.
The Nielsen company said that Sunday’s gripping game was seen by an average of 24.7 million viewers on ESPN and Univision.
That matches it with the 24.7 million US viewers who watched the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.
ESPN said an additional 490,000 people streamed coverage of the game on their mobile devices through the company’s app.
Streaming numbers for 2010 weren’t immediately available, but it’s very unlikely they were that high because streaming apps were not as sophisticated then.
Many factors were in place to make it so popular: it was an exciting game, interest in the US team was high because of the first-game victory against Ghana and World Cup viewing in general has been high.
The Sunday evening time slot also meant many Americans were available to watch.
“It indicates that a large group in our audience is really following the story of the World Cup, which is really terrific,” said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN senior vice president of programming.
Guglielmino said he’s always amused to be asked when football will arrive as an attraction in the US. He’s not likely to be asked much anymore.
American players sense the support back home, as well as in stadiums in Brazil, and appreciate it.
Viewing parties have pulled thousands of people into bars, public parks, movie theatres and other locations since the tournament began.
“When we get back to the hotel and we hear about Grant Park in Chicago having 10,000 fans out to watch the game and friends and family are sending pictures and videos of what’s going on, it can’t help but push you on because we want to make every person watching back home proud of us and proud to watch our team,” said midfielder Michael Bradley.
Interest is also growing fast on the Spanish-language Univision, where soccer has long been the top sport.
For many people with Latin-American roots used to following their home country’s matches on Univision, the United States has become their second-favourite team.
Both networks invested in driving up interest in the World Cup, since big ratings translates into big profits.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Greek side Olympiacos scored two second-half goals after Villa clawed back from two goals down to win 4-2 to take the advantage after the…
Tammy Abraham came on in stoppage time of Roma's 2-nil loss to Bayer Leverkusen, but should have had a consolation goal.
And so the reigning champions claim the Premiers Plate and now line up for consecutive championships. With their win last night, Central Coast is…
There have been a seemingly endless number of negative, doom-and-gloom articles about the A-Leagues, most of them related to the APL’s mismanagement. This article…
Nestory Irankunda was denied a parting gift in his final A-League appearance before heading overseas, with Central Coast's Danny Vukovic pulling off a spectacular…
The Liverpool great was enjoying himself with the Borussia Dortmund fans and tried to rope in Jadon Sancho to the celebrations.
