#TBT: 20th anniversary of ESPN’s World Cup continuous game clock and score box

Welcome to another edition of #TBT: Throwback Thursday.

June marks the 20-year anniversary of ESPN’s use of the continuous game clock and score box in soccer coverage. When the United States hosted the FIFA World Cup in June 1994, this simple yet game-changing innovation made its debut. Before this technology, viewers had to rely on commentators and wait for the score to flash quickly across the screen to get this information.

The picture above depicts when the continuous game clock and score box first aired. The German National Team player in this shot happens to be current U.S. National Team Coach Jurgen Klinsmann during his playing days. Watch Klinsmann lead the U.S. team today as it competes against Germany (ESPN, 11:30 a.m. ET).

Long before Klinsmann created magic as a famed soccer player and coach, he was known for his baking skills. ESPN soccer analyst Julie Foudy profiles Klinsmann’s early days learning the family business.