ESPN is happy about U.S.-Brazil soccer ratings

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The U.S. men’s soccer team was disappointed with its 3-2 loss to Brazil on Sunday in the FIFA Confederations Cup final, but ESPN came out a big winner. It was the most-watched non-FIFA World Cup match featuring the U.S. men’s soccer national team, with an average of 3.945 million viewers.

The telecast was seen by an average of 2.556 million television homes, based on a 2.6 rating, according to ESPN.

It was the third-largest audience for a U.S. men’s national team match on ESPN, trailing two World Cup matches, June 21, 2002, featuring Germany vs. U.S. and seen by 5.335 million viewers; and June 22, 1994, U.S. vs. Columbia, with 4.810 million viewers.

-- Eric Sondheimer