U.S.-GHANA WORLD CUP CLASH SETS NEW RECORD

The U.S. soccer team departed the 2010 World Cup in style Saturday. Losing to Ghana 2-1 in a dramatic match that ended in overtime, the American team attracted 14.9 million viewers on ABC and another 4.5 million on Spanish-language Univision, for a total of 19.4 million, making it the most-watched soccer telecast of all time in the U.S. The previous record was held by the 1999 women’s World Cup final, which drew 17.98 million viewers. Through 50 games, the World Cup has averaged 2.78 million viewers on ABC and ESPN, up 60 percent from the comparable period in 2006. The figures do not include viewers watching in bars, restaurants, community centers, and other locations outside of homes. From the outset San Diego, CA has proved to be the top-rated market in the country for the World Cup contests, as it often is for sports specials.