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ESPN platforms to air all 52 Under-20 World Cup matches

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If you are anxious to get a glimpse of some of the future stars of the soccer world, you will have your chance soon enough.

The Under-20 World Cup in Egypt is set to kick off on Thursday, and ESPN has announced that it will broadcast all 52 matches on a combination of ESPN platforms including ESPN360.com, ESPN Classic, ESPN2 and ESPN.

The tournament kicks off with host Egypt facing Trinidad & Tobago, while the U.S. Under-20 national team opens its tournament on Saturday against Germany (9:55am, ESPN Classic/ESPN360.com).

What do you think of this news? Will you try to see all the matches? Excited to have a chance to see the rising stars from countries such as Brazil, Spain and England to name a few? Think the United States has a chance?

Share your thoughts below (The tournament's TV schedule is after the jump).

FIFA Under-20 World Cup Schedule

Date Time (ET) Network Match Group/ Match # Site Round Robin Phase

THURSDAY

12:55 p.m. ESPN360.com Egypt vs. Trinidad & Tobago A – 1 Alexandria

FRIDAY

9:55 a.m. ESPN360.com Paraguay vs. Italy A – 2 Cairo

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Nigeria vs. Venezuela B – 3 Cairo

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Spain vs. Tahiti B – 4 Cairo

SATURDAY

9:55 a.m. ESPN360.com/ ESPN Classic USA vs. Germany C – 5 Suez

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Cameroon vs. Korea Republic C – 6 Suez

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Ghana vs. Uzbekistan D – 7 Ismailia

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com England vs. Uruguay D – 8 Ismailia

SUNDAY

9:55 a.m. ESPN360.com Brazil vs. Costa Rica E – 9 Port Said

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Czech Republic vs. Australia E – 10 Port Said

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com United Arab Emirates vs. South Africa F – 11 Alexandria

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Honduras vs. Hungary F – 12 Alexandria

Mon., Sept 28

9:55 a.m. ESPN360.com Nigeria vs. Spain B – 13 Cairo

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Italy vs. Trinidad & Tobago A – 14 Cairo

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Tahiti vs. Venezuela B – 15 Cairo

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Egypt vs. Paraguay A – 16 Cairo

Tues., Sept.29

9:55 a.m. ESPN360.com Korea Republic vs. Germany C – 17 Suez

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com/ ESPN2 USA vs. Cameroon C – 18 Suez

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Uruguay vs. Uzbekistan D – 19 Ismailia

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Ghana vs. England D – 20 Ismailia

Wed., Sept. 30

9:55 a.m. ESPN360.com Australia vs. Costa Rica E – 21 Port Said

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Brazil vs. Czech Republic E – 22 Port Said

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Hungary vs. South Africa F – 23 Alexandria

3:35p.m. ESPN360.com United Arab Emirates vs. Hungary F – 24 Alexandria

Thurs., Oct. 1

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Tahiti vs. Nigeria B – 25 Cairo

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Venezuela vs. Spain B – 26 Cairo

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Trinidad & Tobago vs. Paraguay A – 27 Cairo

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Italy vs. Egypt A – 28 Cairo

Fri., Oct. 2

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com/ ESPN2 Korea Republic vs. USA C – 29 Suez

12:40 ESPN360.com Germany vs. Cameroon C – 30 Ismailia

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Uruguay vs. Ghana D – 31 Ismailia 3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Uzbekistan vs. England D – 32 Suez

Sat., Oct. 3

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com Hungary vs. United Arab Emirates F – 33 Alexandria

12:40 p.m. ESPN360.com South Africa vs. Honduras F – 34 Port Said

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Costa Rica vs. Czech Republic E – 35 Alexandria

3:25 p.m. ESPN360.com Australia vs. Brazil E – 36 Port Said

Round of 16

Mon., Oct. 5

10:25 a.m. ESPN360.com 1st B vs. 3rd A/C/D 37 Cairo

1:55 p.m. ESPN360.com 2nd A vs. 2nd C 38 Cairo

Tues, Oct. 6

10:25 a.m. ESPN360.com 1st D vs. 3rd B/E/F 39 Ismailia

1:55 p.m. ESPN360.com 1st A vs. 3rd C/D/E 40 Cairo

1:55 p.m. ESPN360.com 1st F vs. 2nd E 41 Alexandria

Wed., Oct. 7

10:25 a.m. ESPN360.com 1st E vs. 2nd D 42 Port Said

10:25 a.m. ESPN360.com 2nd B vs. 2nd F 43 Suez

1:55 p.m. ESPN360.com/ESPN2 1st C vs. 3rd A/B/F 44 Suez

Quarterfinals

Fri., Oct. 9

10:25 a.m. ESPN360.com Winners – 38 vs. 39 45 Suez

1:50 p.m. ESPN360.com/ESPN2 Winners – 37 vs. 41 46 Suez

Sat., Oct. 10

10:25 ESPN360.com Winners – 42 vs. 44 47 Cairo

1:55 p.m. ESPN360.com Winners – 43 vs. 40 48 Cairo

Semifinals

Tues., Oct.13

10:20 a.m. ESPN360.com ESPN2 Winners – 45 vs. 46 49 Cairo

1:50 p.m. ESPN360.com/ESPN2 Winners – 47 vs. 48 50 Cairo

Third Place

Fri., Oct.16

10:55 a.m. ESPN360.com Third Place 51 Cairo

Title Match

Fri., Oct. 16

1:50 p.m. ESPN360.com/ESPN U-20 World Cup Title Match 52 Cairo

Comments

  1. I hope most here arent confusing our U-17 team(with Gil,Renken,Mcinerney and others. perhaps our best U-17 team to ever wear the jersey) with this U-20 team that isnt all that good.

    I’ll root for them, but making it to the 2nd round would be an upset.

    Reply
  2. And by the way, there are three more players who will join the German team after they have played in the DFB Cup (games are today and tomorrow), so there will be 18 players available plus another two that could be called in.

    JB, teams are not required to release their players. National federations have no say over this matter.

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  3. It’s the U-20 World Cup, the club teams are required to release their players. It is certain national federations that are choosing not to push the issue.

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  4. This should have been scheduled during the summer. Now all the best U-20 players are club-tied.

    US will make it to the second round. I’m hoping Jack McInerney has a good tournament.

    Not going to get much work done watching most of these games online.

    Reply
  5. If you watch all 52 matches in the Under-20 World Cup and you don’t work in the soccer business, you should re-evaluate your priorities haha

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  6. in fact to add my post about Germany, their captain can’t play due to a red card achieved in the Euro U-18 final last year and they’re flying to Egypt with 15 players. And whatever players they can get will fly to Egypt after their midweek cup games.

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  7. I’ll be watching on 360. Unfortunately for the USA they’ll be going up against one of the best sides in Europe, Germany. If they can stay with the huns they’ll do well.

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  8. this team is one the best “teams” we put out. It may lack in star quality but they’re impressive as a team. If Germany beats us I’ll be shocked, I’ve read almost all the players are either playing for reserve teams or for like U-23 teams for leagues in like the 3-5th tier of German football. Germany even had to call up a German-Turk thats play professional in the Turkey Super League. Can’t wait for all our NCAA studs to get pro deals after this.

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  9. I don’t have espn 360 through our cable carrier. anyone know how to get it another way?

    (SBI-If you get Verizon internet you can also get it.)

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  10. True World Powers do not look down on this…the Bundesliga season is in full swing and the teams refuse to release their players. They are not required by FIFA and since they need their players for more important things they’ll not allow them to leave. Germany has no choice but to pick second or third choice players.

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  11. Conor Casey’s Knee- i think two things

    1) you underestimate our actual squad. While there are no Adu’s or Jozy’s the squad itself is not that bad at all. Several pro-players mixed together with some College players waiting to get pro contracts and avoiding MLS. it is a well balanced team with a solid back line (despite the injuries of late)

    2. you forget how the true world powers truly look down on this. Germany alone are bringing a poor squad with few of their true prospects. in fact last i saw, Germany only sent 15 men to Egypt with the ability to fly others out if needed.

    i think this team is set to surprise you, though anything could happen and we could flame out.

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  12. I think a lot of people are overlooking Peri as a good offensive weapon because he’s not getting any playing time for FC Dallas, but if you look at who’s been scoring for the U-20’s over the past 2-3 years he’s been scoring a lot of the goals.

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  13. Glad they are showing it, but fooking hell, I wish they’d shell out for the rights for the Honduras qualifier instead!!! Still bewildered by that!

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  14. Isn’t this considerably less coverage (outside of ESPN360) than the last U-20 WC in ’07?

    I seem to remember ESPNU carrying a lot of games, though with the college football season now in full swing, they are probably busy re-running all of the games from the weekend…

    Reply
  15. I’m that excited for this upcoming U-20 World Cup just because we’re fielding such a weak squad. I’ll still watch it though.

    However, I will say that I am extremely excited for the upcoming U-17 World Cup. Should be one of the best sides we’ve fielded in a long time – IF we can get all the young stars together.

    Reply
  16. So if you don’t have ESPN360, you only get the 3 American group stage matches?

    Did I read that right?

    When will ESPN360 be for everyone?

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  17. Looks like another killer draw for the USA.

    Funny how it always seems to work out that we get tough countries while the traditional soccer powers mostly get easy draws get easy draws.

    Paraguay vs. Italy
    Italy vs. Trinidad & Tobago
    Brazil vs. Costa Rica

    USA vs Germany ??? luck of the draw … again

    Reply
  18. Good point, Tim. Alot of folks don’t realize many of these teams (like Germany) are not sending their best squads. Many club teams have balked at releasing their players, so they have had to hunt and peck to come up with full squads. I think the US have enough to at least get thru to the second round. I’m personally hoping for Brek Shea to have a breakout tourney and get noticed and signed by a Euro club.

    Reply
  19. I think it’s cool that all the games will get some coverage. I will check out all the US games, and the other games in the later stages of the tourney. It is a shame the top U20’s of the world won’t play, but they already play for their senior teams. Can’t pay too many matches, gotta stay healthy.

    Reply
  20. Directv just took ESPN Classic off of the standard packages and added it to the sports tier. So it looks like I’m gonna be glued to ESPN360

    Reply
  21. I guess we will see if they have gotten any better since their abysmal u-17 showing.

    It doesnt matter I will always root for the Nats, at any level of competition.

    I am just much more excited for the u-17 World Cup next month! We actually have a chance at winning that one.

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  22. Happy Bday Ives.

    Also, this u20 maybe be really bad but its got a couple of future offensive gems in Diskerud, Duka and Taylor, imo. The defense is also really solid.

    They will advance to the second round guaranteed. Why? Because some of the third place teams advance. With Germany sending a ton of scrubs, there is a chance this u20 squad could pick up points against all three of its opponents. 4pts would get them through to the next round.

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  23. Certainly will watch live or record all the USA matches. No problem with FIFA’s schedule – those with big roles for their clubs are happy they have these roles – everyone else is getting the chance to shine. There may not be an LD or Jozy in the group for the US, but I still want to see this mix of MLS, Europe, college and other guys show what they can do. I’ll probably hold off watching any non-US matches until the later stages.

    Reply
  24. CapeCodFutbol, you’re right that FIFA screwed up scheduling the tournament.

    I just wish they would show all the games on TV. I don’t care about ESPN360. I can watch the games on other Internet outlets if I wanted to but I’d prefer to DVR the games.

    Reply
  25. I like this U-20 team. I’m guessing a player or two plays well enough to get a look from Bob Bradley in the November friendlies and January camp. Diskerud and Duka are the players I’m most interested in.

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  26. Great that someone is actually broadcasting these games. Toulon tournament used to be broadcasted by Fox Soccer but I haven’t seen it in the last few years. I will watch a number of games… I will be glued to the US matches. I rememeber watching the U-17 World Championship in New Zealand many years ago and being introduced to Landon Donovan and many others that are in the MLS today. I watch the Nike matches that they broadcast from Bradenton FL on occasion. I am hoping that some of those kids made it to the U20 team.

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  27. I also really like Dani Parejo, the #10 for Spain, plays for Getafe.

    The bummer about this tournament is that there are plenty of guys born in 1989 or later that are being held back by their clubs. Balotelli, Pato, Wilshere, Welbeck, Santon, Paloschi, Bojan, Marin and many more will not feature in Egypt because of their importance to their clubs. That said, I’m still excited for the competition and the prospect of seeing some stars that haven’t yet been discovered.

    Reply
  28. Sweet. I’m excited. I don’t put too stock into youth tournaments but it is always nice to access individual talent. I’m not a big fan of playing these youth tournaments during the playing season because it potentially diminishes the talent that could be there. However, it won’t kill my interest. I’ll still watch. I like that ESPN has the games. I can flip on the TV in my office and catch glimpses as I work. Can’t be that!

    BTW, I read this morning Germany is initially traveling with 15 players. The rest will show up at various times due to club commitments. We automatically have a numerical advantage gong into the match. This has to bode well for us.

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  29. Terrible FIFA decision to schedule this tournament now, great ESPN decision to air all the games.

    PS> Conor Casey’s Knee — while you might be right about this not being our best U-20 squad, who cares really? Let’s see some new names step up.

    Oh and I think we’ll make the 2nd round.

    Reply
  30. I think this is gonna kill my productivity at work the next couple weeks. ESPN360 in the workplace is not safe. =D

    Ives, kinda last minute (or anyone that knows), is there any chance I can get a few names of kids to watch out for in the tournament? Any nationality, just wanna see “the next big star”.

    Reply

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