During Sunday's broadcast of MLS Cup on ESPN (3 pm ET), viewers will witness the debut of a new technology that could become soccer's version of baseball's K-Zone or American football's First-and-Ten.
It's a live optical player tracking system developed by graphics company ChyronHego which will allow formations and players to be tracked and highlighted for viewers during live action (WATCH it above or by clicking here). According to ESPN, it can also be used on replays to show specific paths of players and distances covered. Sky Sports has used it to critical acclaim in the UK.
"The optical tracking system that we will be using on the MLS Cup is a breakthrough for us," said ESPN SVP Jed Drake. "This ChyronHego system has been very effective in the UK. We expect much the same.
"We never use these systems for the sake of technology itself," Drake continued. "It’s always about making our coverage better by ultimately making it a more interesting and enjoyable experience. The player tracking system we will use on the MLS Cup will do just that, and we look forward to hearing from our viewers as to their impressions."
And maybe those same viewers can also help come up with a catchy name for the technology. Get creative in the comments section below.
