The MLS Cup airing on ESPN
Major League Soccer (MLS) crowns a new champion this month with LIVE coverage on ESPN of the season's biggest event, the MLS Cup. Now in its 19th season, MLS is showing all the energy of an athletic teenager, but with the maturity of an adult who just gets better and stronger with the passing years. Seattle Sounders FC topped the Western Conference most of the season, becoming the first side to claim a playoff spot back in September, but have had their hands full with a reenergized Los Angeles Galaxy, not to mention skilled teams like Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas.
In the East, the defending league champions, Sporting Kansas City (who claimed last year's MLS Cup over RSL), have again been dangerous, with D.C. United and the New England Revolution staying firmly in the hunt. Meanwhile, the Thierry Henry-led New York Red Bulls seemed to find their form late in the season, keeping MLS Cup hopes alive as the season wound down.
ESPN's coverage of Major League Soccer airs all season, LIVE and on short-turnaround, wrapping with LIVE coverage on December 7, 3:00pm, of the 2014 MLS Cup.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
Matchday #6 wraps the UEFA Europa League Group Stage - coverage continues on ESPN
The UEFA Europa League, Europe's second level of club football after the UEFA Champions League, continues on ESPN in December with coverage of Matchday #6, the final matchday in the Group Stage. This month's action determines the final clubs who will be taking the field in February in the Round of 32. Holders Sevilla of Spain are looking to stay ahead of Dutch club Feyenoord in Group G and continue the defense of their title.
Italian clubs started the competition in sharp form, with Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Napoli all winning their opening games, joined by Russia's Dinamo Moskva and Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv. Even more surprising has been the success of Legia Warszawa, who have raised their game on the prospect of playing in the final in their home city in May 2015. Meanwhile, the only side to have played in all six editions of the UEFA Europa League, the Netherlands' PSV Eindhoven, is pushing to advance from Group E.
ESPN's coverage of the UEFA Europa League airs LIVE and on short-turnaround throughout the competition. LIVE matches re-air same day at 8:00pm and 10:00pm. Stay tuned in February for coverage from the Round of 32.
Schedule:
Dec 11 12:55pm UEFA Europa League - Matchday #6 (L)
Dec 11 03:00pm UEFA Europa League - Matchday #6 (L)
Dec 11 05:00pm UEFA Europa League - Matchday #6 (S)
Dec 12 01:00am UEFA Europa League - Matchday #6 (S)
(L) Live; (S) Short-turnaround
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE and the CAPITAL ONE CUP
The thrills never stop - catch continuing coverage from the English Premier League airing LIVE on ESPN
Don't miss a goal with ESPN's continuing LIVE coverage from the Barclays Premier League, England's highest level of club football. Defending champions Manchester City, winners of two league championships in the past three years, are again top contenders for the title, fronted by Argentine striker Sergio Agüero and a midfield loaded with talent that includes veteran Frank Lampard and younger stars like Samir Nasri and David Silva.
Still, it has been Chelsea - with Spain's Diego Costa now up front - jumping out to an early lead in the standings, followed closely by Manchester City, while the usual suspects - Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United - continue to work on finding their rhythm. Manchester United is especially hungry to get back on top this season, and behind famed manager Louis van Gaal it's likely they will.
ESPN's coverage of the English Premier League airs all season, LIVE and on short-turnaround, featuring 1-2 matches per week. Also featured throughout the season are games from the Capital One Cup, an entertaining knockout competition last won by Manchester City. NOTES: EPL not available to cruise lines; matches airing on short-turnaround/taped on ESPN Caribbean will air LIVE on ESPN2 Caribbean.
Schedule: LIVE coverage
Dec 03 02:45pm Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Dec 06 07:45am Newcastle vs. Chelsea
Dec 08 02:45pm Southampton vs. Manchester United
Dec 13 10:00am Leicester City vs. Manchester City
Dec 15 02:45pm Everton vs. Queens Park Rangers
Dec 16 02:40pm Capital One Cup
Dec 17 02:40pm Capital One Cup
Dec 20 07:45am Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
Dec 22 02:45pm Stoke City vs. Chelsea
Dec 26 10:00am Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leicester City
Dec 29 03:00pm Liverpool vs. Swansea City
*NOTE: English Premier League not available to cruise lines.
MORE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL - Spanish Primera División, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga, Dutch First Division, French Ligue 1 and more...
The lineup of top international football airing every weekend on ESPN and ESPN2 can't be beat, as the strongest leagues, best sides and most accomplished players take center stage. Coverage includes the Spanish Primera División and games from the Copa del Rey, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga, Dutch First Division, French Ligue 1, Portuguese Liga and Brazil's Campeonato Brasileiro, the latter wrapping this month.
The Spanish Primera División, Italian Serie A and German Bundesliga are currently, along with the English Premier League, home to many of the biggest talents and toughest sides in the game. While Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Leo Messi keep their clubs atop La Liga, Juventus is battling for a fourth straight "scudetto" in Italian Serie A, while Bayern Munich is going for a third consecutive title in Germany.
The Dutch First Division yearly attracts some of the largest crowds in all of Europe as fans can't get enough of the fast and physical style of play in the Netherlands, epitomized by legendary Ajax, while French Ligue 1 boasts one of the biggest talents in the game, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is possibly in his last season with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Portuguese Liga - home to famed clubs like Benfica, Porto and Sporting - continues to deliver great action, while the Campeonato Brasileiro, Brazil's top level of football, crowns a new champion this month, with favorites for the title including defending champions Cruzeiro and past champions São Paulo and Corinthians.
Catch weekly football coverage from around the world airing LIVE and on short-turnaround throughout the season on ESPN and ESPN2; dates/times TBC closer to airdate.