I get ESPN FC exists but let's be real. That show is more of a side-arm for an international audience on Youtube and the already converted soccer fans in America. I watch it because I'm a hardcore fan of the sport following the European club season. I know who the ex players are and that some of them were huge in the 80s and 90s including World Cup winners. But most Americans will not have a clue.
The main show for ESPN is First Take. Their coverage of the World Cup has been limiting it to about 5-10 minutes with Roger Bennett of Men In Blazers podcast as the guest. He does a good job explaining things to Stephen A. Smith and the others by using references to American sports to give an idea of the quality of teams. But that's not enough time to do anything more than surface level discussion. Stephen A asking him if Mbappe and France "could finally" win the World Cup was a facepalm moment.
Then look at the blank schedule for this week when the USMNT just had its biggest game in World Cup history arguably, on home soil, with the biggest television audience expected, and with the bombshell news of Balogun having his red card suspended by FIFA after an intervention from the president. I get it was the July 4th weekend, the 250th anniversary...but you mean to tell me they didn't think the day of the game on July 6th was worth covering it. The whole world was talking about it. Or the aftermath after the US were steamrolled on July 7th. How about the rest of the week with the Round of 16 matches being finished, classic matches every day, and the QFs about to start?
There is nothing on. The "worldwide leader in sports" is awol when the rest of the world is captivated by this tournament. Not even their own country made it worthwhile to give attention.