Preview: ESPN and ESPN 2 broadcast highlights – 30 July to 5 August 2021

SS Lazio vs AC Milan — epa09162588 Milan's Franck Kessie in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Olimpico Stadium in Rome, Italy, 26 April 2021. EPA/MAURIZIO BRAMBATTI

Viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to even greater sporting variety, with some thrilling action coming their way on ESPN and ESPN 2 from Friday 30 July to Thursday 5 August 2021.

DStv and GOtv is your home of the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.

ESPN

All times CAT

The first live action on ESPN comes from Major League Soccer (MLS) on the morning of Saturday 31 July, with Orlando City taking on Atlanta United and Los Angeles Galaxy facing up to Portland Timbers (02:10 and 04:10 LIVE on ESPN). Later the same day, Southampton will take on Swansea City in a pre-season friendly (15:55 LIVE on ESPN).

Swansea manager Steve Cooper has revealed that the club’s up-and-coming players have impressed thus far in pre-season: “I must say that the young players who have been with us in pre-season have all applied themselves really well. We had seven lads from the academy who travelled with us to Pennyhill Park, some of which have been involved in the friendlies so far and it’s great experience for them,” said the Swans boss. “This club is all about giving young players opportunities and it’s also great to see the likes of Ollie Cooper and Brandon Cooper both making great strides in their recovery from injuries.”

The morning of Sunday 1 August sees more MLS action, with FC Cincinnati v DC United and Vancouver Whitecaps v Minnesota United (01:30 and 04:00 LIVE on ESPN), before another all-English friendly which sees Wolverhampton Wanderers host Coventry City (13:55 LIVE on ESPN).

ESPN will be your home of premier programme viewing for both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Football League (NFL), with ‘The Jump’ and ‘NFL Live’ at 21:00 and 22:00 LIVE on ESPN respectively on each evening on Monday 2, Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 August, while Wednesday 4 August features a European football friendly between RB Salzburg and AC Milan (19:40 LIVE on ESPN).

Milan coach Stefano Pioli will be without Ivorian star Franck Kessie for the game – with the midfielder away on Olympic duty – and insists that he is not worried that the player has yet to extend his contract with the club.

“He is a player who has grown along with many of his teammates,” said Pioli. “He is very strong and has given a lot to his team. We know how much it matters to this team. I spoke to him, he rested up on vacation, got married, and is now at the Olympics. He is calm and motivated, he will come back as strong as before. I’m not dealing with his renewal but I know that he is happy here with us.”

ESPN 2

All times CAT

ESPN2 will feature The Basketball Tournament this week, with Quarterfinals 1 and 2 on the evening of Saturday 31 July (18:00 and 20:00 LIVE on ESPN 2); Quarterfinals 3 and 4 on the morning of Sunday 1 August (01:00 and 03:00 LIVE on ESPN 2); Semifinal 1 and the 33 Point Contest, and Semifinal 2 later the same day (18:00 and 20:00 LIVE on ESPN 2), with the Final arriving on the morning of Wednesday 4 August (03:00 LIVE on ESPN 2).

“The Basketball Tournament is a tournament that offers former NBA guys, former pros and guys that are still looking to play at the professional level an opportunity to compete at the highest level,” said Iren Rainey, an NBA player development coach with clients like former Magic Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and current Orlando center Wendell Carter Jr. The tournament was launched in 2014 and is currently a 64-team winner-take-all-format with $1 million on the line.

ESPN 2 will also feature a trio of potential thrillers from Major League Baseball, with the Toronto Blue Jays v Cleveland Indians on Monday 2 August (22:00 LIVE on ESPN 2), Tampa Bay Rays v Seattle Mariners on Wednesday 4 August (19:00 LIVE on ESPN 2) and Detroit Tigers v Boston Red Sox on Thursday 5 August (19:00 LIVE on ESPN 2).

Visit DStv and GOtv to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream the action on the DStv app.

ESPN selected broadcast highlights

All times CAT

Saturday 31 July

02:10: MLS, Orlando City v Atlanta United – LIVE on ESPN

04:10: MLS, LA Galaxy v Portland Timbers – LIVE on ESPN

15:55: Football Friendly, Southampton v Swansea City – LIVE on ESPN

Sunday 1 August

01:30: FC Cincinnati v DC United – LIVE on ESPN

04:00: Vancouver Whitecaps v Minnesota United – LIVE on ESPN

13:55: Football Friendly, Wolverhampton Wanderers v Coventry City – LIVE on ESPN

Monday 2, Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 August

21:00: The Jump – LIVE on ESPN