Programming of Champions League games has often presented difficulties for ESPN in the US. Should the network feature English, Italian, or Spanish clubs? You can't go wrong with Barcelona or Real Madrid, at least among neutral fans. Milan has had a strong appeal because of its style of play and multi-national roster.

But Milan and Real Madrid are long gone from the Champions League competition this time, and making the best choice is not always simple, anyway. Manchester United is a powerhouse club, the Champions League defending, and is in the running for five cups this season; it also has one of the largest groups of followers in the world -- but many soccer fans detest the Red Devils.

In recent months, the problem of which club to focus on seems to have been solved, Champions League matches being transmitted by ESPN 360, allowing viewers access to nearly every game. Soccer emerged as ESPN 360's most popular feature during the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, the popular stories involving office workers and students stealing looks at matches on their computers.

Now, the idea is take the viewing experience a step further, by holding viewing parties at soccer bars. The event started this week at the Banshee, McGanns, Lir, and Phoenix Landing in Boston and at locations in New York and Washington, D.C.

"With soccer, we know there is a passionate fan base around the country and a lot of times the gathering place for them is soccer bars," said Damon Phillips, vice president of ESPN 360. "So, we've partnered with bars to liven the atmosphere, even though soccer is one sport that needs it the least, given the passion involved in the sport. But this is a way to connect with fans and reward them for their loyalty to the sport."

The Manchester United-Porto (2-2) and Villareal-Arsenal (1-1) games were screened Tuesday. The Liverpool-Chelsea and Barcelona-Bayern Munich games will be transmitted at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.

"ESPN is on the cutting edge of technology, and we are constantly looking at different programming the use of technology," Phillips said. "The next two weeks are just awesome, because of the teams playing. And this allows fans to watch both games every day."