The USL announced today that the 2015 USL Championship, featuring the Rochester Rhinos and the LA Galaxy II, will stream live on ESPN3 Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET from Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. The match will also stream live on the USL YouTube channel.
The USL is teaming with VISTA Worldlink, a leader in transmission, distribution and production services, for the match. VISTA has been a pioneer in the digital broadcast industry, partnering with major television productions worldwide including teams from all of the professional sporting leagues, Motors TV, and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
The 2015 USL Championship will be produced for the USL by Michael Cohen, a winner of eight national Emmy Awards who has served as head of production for two FIFA World Cups, a Women’s World Cup, and 15 MLS Cups and All Star Games. Cohen previously served as executive producer and head of production for MLS.
Award-winning soccer announcer Michael Watts will serve as play-by-play analyst for the 2015 USL Championship. Watts has appeared on broadcasts for ESPN3, Fox Sports Go, YES Network, the NWSL, and beIN Sports, as well as several college sports networks. He will be joined in the booth by John Harkes, one of the most accomplished American soccer players and the recently announced Head Coach of FC Cincinnati. Harkes has enjoyed a highly successful broadcasting career, serving as color commentator for several MLS and World Cup matches. New York-based sports anchor and reporter Heather Prusak will serve as sideline reporter.
ESPN3 is accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The network is currently available to more than 99 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.
A first-half goal was all the top-seeded Rhinos needed as they defeated second-seeded Louisville City FC 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Final at Sahlen’s Stadium Saturday night. The Galaxy II struck for a pair of first-half goals and withstood an OKC Energy FC comeback attempt in the second half to capture the Western Conference title with a 2-1 victory Sunday night.
The USL features 24 clubs in 2015 and recently announced the additions of Lehigh Valley, FC Cincinnati and Rio Grande Valley FC for the 2016 season and Reno, Nevada for 2017.
