LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Feb 7, 2005--Today, the American soccer nation has finally received a channel it can call its own. Fox Soccer Channel launched across the nation at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time to more than 20 million U.S. households via key distributors including DIRECTV, DISH Network, Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cox Communications and Adelphia Communications, among others. Homes that formerly had access to sports channel Fox Sports World will now see Fox Soccer Channel in its place.
Fox Soccer Channel is debuting this week with nine premier events in seven days, including two big international matches, the first featuring England`s Under-21 team vs. Holland live tomorrow from Pride Park in Derby at 3:00 p.m. ET. Then, on Wednesday, February 9, England`s Senior team, led by superstars David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, faces a powerful Dutch side live from Birmingham`s Villa Park at 2:30 p.m. ET.
The two international friendlies will be followed on Fox Soccer Channel`s schedule by a selection of standout weekend matches from the Barclays English Premier League, German Bundesliga and FA Cup. On Saturday, February 12, Premiership leader Chelsea faces Everton in the channel`s first live game of the day at 7:30 a.m. ET, followed by the Bundesliga (teams TBA) at 10:00 a.m. and fourth-round action featuring Tottenham vs. West Brom in the FA Cup at 12:30 p.m. ET. Fox Soccer Channel will then offer up a second live EPL game at 3:00 p.m. ET, Bolton vs. Middlesbrough, and cap the afternoon`s activity with Portsmouth facing Aston Villa in a Premiership showdown at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Fox Soccer Channel`s launch week will conclude with a set of games from the FA Cup and the Argentine Clausura on Sunday. The FA Cup matchup between Sheffield United and West Ham will air at 1:00 p.m. ET, followed by the Argentine Clausura match (teams TBA) at 5:00 p.m. ET. More information concerning these telecasts can be found on Fox Soccer Channel`s website, foxsoccer.com presented by MSN.
Fox Soccer Channel`s Match Highlights(a)
Date / Match / Time (Eastern)
Tues., February 8 / England U-21 National Team vs. Holland National Team / 3:00 p.m.
Wed., February 9 / England Senior National Team vs. Holland National Team / 2:30 p.m.
Sat., February 12 / Everton vs. Chelsea / 7:30 a.m.
German Soccer - teams TBA / 10:00 a.m.
FA Cup: Tottenham vs. West Brom / 12:30 p.m.
Bolton vs. Middlesbrough / 3:00 p.m.
Portsmouth vs. Aston Villa / 5:00 p.m.
Sun., February 13 / FA Cup: Sheffield United vs. West Ham / 1:00 p.m.
Argentine Clausura - teams TBA / 5:00 p.m.
(a) Programming subject to change
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