Soccer is Coming in 3D

World Cup 2010 was already a brave new world with the tournament heading to Africa for the first time, but now the tournament will be breaking technology barriers as well. Yesterday ESPN announced that it will launch the television industry's first 3D network, ESPN 3D, in conjunction with the World Cup curtain raiser between Mexico and host South Africa. Up to 25 World Cup games will be broadcast in 3D.

So besides Cuauhtémoc Blanco becoming the first athlete to fake an injury in 3D, what can we expect from the World Cup? Those who got a sneak peak when ESPN 3D was tested during the USC-Ohio State college football game raved about the technology. But the equipment won't be commonplace by June. Do you remember watching the Rams and Titans play the first Super Bowl broadcast in HD ten years ago? Me neither. As was the case with the transition to HD, viewers will need a new TV set and a cable provider that carries the network. And as for glasses, you'll need to wear them with the current sets. So check your vanity at the door; we're all gonna look like dorks.

Beyond the World Cup, ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer told me that additional events will be announced in the coming months. Whether that means ESPN's coverage of the Premier League will be broadcast in 3D remains to be seen. And while the technology could revolutionize watching sports, some images in 3D may be frightening to young viewers. Can you imagine Didier Drogba's meltdown from last year's Champions League semifinal coming right into your living room? Yikes!

The Sports Guy and Soccer: Together Again?

Fans of ESPN.com columnist Bill Simmons, aka "The Sports Guy," may remember his short-lived dalliance with the English Premier League three years ago. In the lengthy but entertaining style that is his trademark, Simmons analyzed the pros and cons of supporting all 20 EPL teams, counting them down in reverse order. In the end he selected Tottenham over Liverpool, promising to cheer on the London outfit through the upcoming season.

And that was the end of that. Other than a couple passing mentions, Simmons was never heard from again on the topic of the Premier League. But now his interest in the game appears to be on again.

Apparently inspired by a visit to last week's USA-Mexico World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Azteca (a great column if you haven't already read it,) Simmons was tweeting about Sunday's Liverpool-Tottenham game, a meeting of his top two squads from the '06 search.

A couple thoughts here. Simmons, one of ESPN.com's most popular columnists, is hopping back on the Premier League bandwagon at the same time that his employer landed the rights to air games in the States. Coincidence or the latest example of the ever-present integration of ESPN properties? My hunch is it's the latter.

Second, in his column Simmons states that Steven Gerrard was "ridiculously, dominantly good in so many different ways," Sunday against Tottenham. Other than a well-taken penalty kick, this was far from one of Gerrard's finer afternoons. Just wait until Simmons watches Stevie G bringing his A-game.

So will the Sports Guy's burgeoning interest in soccer take root this season? We'll have to wait and see. But Bill, if by some chance you read this blog, feel free to join us at The Globe (rated by ussoccer.com as the "Best Soccer Bar in America," to watch some games if you're ever in Chicago.

ESPN to Air EPL Games in the USA

Like finding out on Christmas Eve that your parents did buy you that awesome present you wanted, ESPN has announced on the eve of the English Premier League season that EPL games will indeed be shown in the U.S. EPL Talk has the late-breaking story of tomorrow's opening day broadcast of Chelsea and Hull City on the deuce.

Since the summer when ESPN scooped up the U.K. rights to the Setanta package, it was unclear which, if any games would be shown in the States. Now it appears that early Saturday and Sunday games will be a part of the worldwide leader's stateside airings throughout the season. Hooray!

Update: The AP story on the ESPN deal.