Premiere of U.S. Soccer Series and E:60 World Cup Special Highlight Schedule

ESPN’s countdown to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil continues Monday, May 12 – the one-month mark from the tournament’s June 12 kickoff in Sao Paulo – with weeklong programming highlighted by the Tuesday, May 13, premiere of Inside: U.S. Soccer’s March to Brazil and a one-hour E:60 World Cup special.

Inside, a six-episode documentary series from ESPN Films, will focus on the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team as it prepares for the upcoming competition. The series, produced by Jonathan Hock and Roger Bennett, will provide a never-before-seen perspective from inside the training camp of the USMNT. Additional information.

Also Tuesday, at 8 p.m. on ESPN, E:60, ESPN’s primetime newsmagazine will devote a full show to the World Cup with:

• A rare interview with Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi;
• A conversation with Brazilian soccer legend Pele;
• The very personal backstory of U.S. Men’s National Team captain Clint Dempsey; and
• An investigative piece by Jeremy Schaap looking into preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In addition, two ESPN Deportes series will have new episodes.  Destino Fútbol, a 16-episode documentary series chronicling major story lines in the world of soccer, will continue with “La Escuela de los Sueños.” The episode will air Tuesday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m., with a focus on Santos FC, a soccer club in Phoenix that gives young victims of violence, immigrants and those without a clear path, an opportunity to dream beyond their reality.  The SportsCenter Primera Plana series will air Saturday, May 17, with an edition on Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque (6 p.m.) and a second on Honduras manager Luis F. Suárez (6:30 p.m.). Primera Plana highlights the stories, challenges and anticipation of some of the teams participating in the World Cup through the eyes of their head coaches.

Additional highlights:

• Live friendly matches:
  • Germany vs. Poland, on Tuesday, May 13 (2:45 p.m., ESPN3)
  • Netherlands vs. Ecuador, on Saturday, May 17 (2:30 p.m., ESPN Deportes/ESPN3)
• Beginning Monday, May 12, at 7 a.m., ESPN Classic will re-air 21 World Cup, World Cup Qualifying and friendly matches including the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final (Brazil vs. France), the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final (Italy vs. France) and the USA’s thrilling victory against Algeria in the 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage.
• ESPN Classic will also re-air episodes of the 30 for 30Soccer Stories.

Note: Schedule for ESPN Classic includes first airings only.  Additional airings are scheduled, including the week of May 26.

** Second airing
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