Who Will Be Left on the Field After Survival Sunday?

As the biggest moment in English soccer approaches, Americans can relax, sit back and watch on Fox TV nine games ... (OK, so it is Mother's Day - better get something nice for the mom in your life so you can watch great soccer!)

The repercussions of the losses and the recognition of the wins will be the talk of the globe. 

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Barclays Survival Sunday Brings Soccer Home to America.

It has all come down to one day – Survival Sunday. For the first time in US television history, nine live games from the most dramatic day in soccer are being carried on Fox’s family of outlets.

America Sports fans have had the World Series and the Super Bowl, now soccer – the world’s favorite sport – is making its immense impact. Make room for riveting sports action with nine soccer games this Sunday.

Who is the favorite going into the game? Die-hard fans disagree on which team will hold the trophy high and celebrate global acclaim.

Who do you think will win?  The 2011/2 season has been a close one, and different from past years when clear winners have claimed the attention of fans early on. This year has been better, with more fans than ever challenging rival fans with devout loyalty and enthusiasm.

And more Americans are watching soccer on TV or Internet than in recorded history.

Barclays Premier League Excitement

The soccer matches start simultaneously at 10 a.m. ET, and the best nine games can be viewed live on FOX family of television networks.

All eyes are on Manchester City, if they win, the power in the soccer world shifts (somewhat) from Manchester United to their upstart neighbor – the light blue clad dark horse of Manchester. Man City has forced soccer aficionados to reckon with their on field prowess and determination and can claim their first English championship since 1968 on Sunday.

Are these games important?

The cost of losing is steep, with the loss of ticket and merchandise sales as fans opt for saving their money until their team wins or worse, switching their allegiance to the victor on the field. Relegated teams - the three teams in with the lowest score in English Premier League standings get pushed down to the lower league.  Just like youth soccer, the teams with the best records move up into the most competitive bracket and those with worst records move down into a lower bracket.  In England, that lower bracket is the Football League Championship (FLC), the AAA of English soccer and those teams leaving the EPL - will be forced to play without the riches of the winners.

Experts from Fox Soccer answer your questions:

Why nine soccer games in a row? Will Americans watch?

David Nathanson, FOX Soccer Executive Vice President & General Manager on the strategy behind programming Survival Sunday: “We take more risk, not just with the Barclays Premier League, but with the UEFA Champions League and a number of our other soccer rights, and as we’ve seen the audience grow across FOX Soccer and the other FOX Sports Media Group platforms, it justifies taking on more risk and trying new things. We’ve done a lot this year with the delayed and live games in conjunction with the NFL on FOX. ‘Survival Sunday’ is an extension of that. Beyond that, it is the right thing to do for viewers. In the past, people who are a follower of a particular team, and not necessarily the most popular team, are waiting to see where they end up at the end of the season and particularly those that risk relegation. They are some of the most dramatic and interesting stories that are told the entire year. The ability to showcase that across our properties is really unique, and we all couldn’t be more excited to be a part of that.”

Americans want scores instantly and Fox is reporting updated scores ten minutes.

Eric Shanks, FOX Sports Media Group Co-President and Co-COO says, “As soon as a goal is scored, scores will drop down from the FOX Box and about every ten minutes we will run through all of the scores to keep you up to date on every channel.”

Nathanson says, “This is a first for us and a first for the Premier League in any territory. The goal is to show each game live, and everyone will have the same pregame show that will lead directly into each individual game which will not be carried on any delay."

"For the first time we’re going to be able to show highlights in-game. If you tune into Manchester United vs. Sunderland on FX, you’re going to be able to see every single goal that matters. That coverage will be complimented on FOX where we will showcase how each team is progressing in near real time, as they vie for the Champions League, the Europa League, relegation or for the league title.” 

Shanks adds, “This is a new high point for European soccer here in the U.S. and the Premier League specifically. This is a better experience of Survival Sunday for fans than even what they’re getting in the UK. I still don’t believe that you can watch all of these matches, all at once, in the UK. We may have a flood of tourists coming into the U.S. just to have access to all of these games this weekend.”

Has soccer become more popular in America? Does soccer on TV help the American culture begin embracing soccer?

Rob Stone, FOX Soccer Lead Studio Host, on the growth of soccer in US and the EPL's role: “It’s tradition passed down through the generations. It’s like baseball here in the States. Your dad, your grandfather, your grandmother, your mother grew up a Cardinals fan, a Yankees fan or a Tampa Bay Rays and they pass it down. You get that in England. It’s starting to happen now in the States, you’re seeing more and more kids wanting jerseys. Not being handed the jersey by dad saying, ‘wear this Messi jersey.’ It’s a kid saying, ‘dad, go get me this Messi jersey.’  You’re starting to see the culture and the generations change in embracing the sport more and more in the States. What the Premiership does and the tradition and drama they provide, is all part of the force that drives the growth of soccer.”

Related Article: Barclays Premier League Survival Sunday on FOX Soccer