Major League Soccer announced Thursday it is launching an enhanced data broadcast for the upcoming Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The broadcasts will integrate state-of-the-art data visualization technology, optical player tracking and enhanced metrics into match broadcasts as part of an enhanced second screen viewing experience, marking the first live augmented data offering of a full match by a professional soccer league.
The streams will be available for every Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoff match played in an MLS venue, and can be found will on the FOX Sports App, FOXSports.com, TUDN.com, the TUDN app, and ESPN3 throughout the playoffs.
As part of the broadcasts, fans will experience video game-like elements in real-time on an enhanced second screen experience. The location of every player will be displayed on top of the game broadcast using a “mini map” of the field and location data will be used to identify players in real time as play progresses and showcase player sprinting speeds throughout the game.
These streams are part of a broader MLS initiative to create enhanced data feeds from all MLS matches as part of a partnership with Second Spectrum that was first announced in March, with the goal of providing enhanced data from every match as well as advanced video tools for use by all MLS coaching staffs. In addition, MLS and Second Spectrum are partnering to create new fan experiences, starting with enhanced highlights that rolled out earlier this year and now continuing with live full match streams.
The technology will debut on Friday, Nov. 20 when the New England Revolution meet the Montreal Impact in an Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs Play-in game at 6:30 pm ET on FS1 with the enhanced stream on FOX Sports App and FoxSports.com. When Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF play on ESPN2 at 9 pm ET on Friday, fans will be able to access the enhanced stream on ESPN3. The stream will be available on MLSsoccer.com, TUDN.com and the TUDN app for select Univision network games, as well as Fox Sports App and FOXSports.com for MLS Cup.
