ESPN Deportes to broadcast Costa Rican soccer

There’s a global lack of live sports, so the return of Costa Rican soccer is getting some extra attention.

ESPN Deportes will broadcast Costa Rica’s Liga FPD beginning Wednesday, May 20. The sports media giant will televise four Deportivo Saprissa matches to the millions of people who receive the Spanish-language channel.

Matches will also be available on ESPN’s online platform and mobile phone applications.

Below is the full press release from ESPN:

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Live soccer returns to ESPN Deportes beginning this Wednesday, May 20, when Liga FPD, Costa Rica’s first division soccer, becomes the first soccer league in the Americas to start playing following the break in play due to COVID-19.

At 10 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes will provide exclusive linear coverage of Deportivo Saprissa vs. Herediano in the first of four remaining home matches for Saprissa as the team battles for a spot in the playoffs. With seven of the 22 rounds of regular season matches still to be played across the league between May 20 and June 10, Liga FPD powerhouse Deportivo Saprissa sits atop the standings with four points ahead of bitter rival Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.

ESPN Deportes’ Fernando Palomo and Kenneth Garay (play-by-play), alongside Barak Fever and Andrés Agulla (analysis), will provide commentary remotely from their home studios.

Saprissa and Herediano have met in “Clásico del Buen Fútbol” for 292 times – one of a three-team rivalry in Costa Rican football that includes LD Alajuelense. Saprissa holds the edge over Herediano with 115 wins, 79 losses and 98 ties.  Deportivo Saprissa made its debut in first division soccer in Costa Rica in 1949.

Deportivo Saprissa Home Matches – in Spanish on ESPN Deportes: