U2 promote World Cup in the States

Aware of the apathy that exists towards football – or ‘soccer’ as they insist on calling it – in the States, the Walt Disney-owned channel is mounting a massive campaign under the “One game changes everything” banner.
Central to this are a series of rotating spots voiced by the various band members.
In Bono’s, ‘City Of Blinding Lights’ plays in the background as the singer pronounces that, “It’s a simple thing, just a ball and a goal. That simple thing closes the schools, closes the shops, closes a city and stops a war.”
Accompanied by ‘Beautiful Day’, The Edge notes that, “Sick days increase by 300% and yet not one employee is fired. Not one doctor’s note is required. Not one important meeting is ruined. Because the bosses are out sick too.”
Adam Clayton’s spot is soundtracked by ‘I Will Follow’ and promises that despite failing to qualify, “The Tartan Army will be there, cheering for Scotland anyway.”
A fourth, featuring Larry Mullen and ‘Pride (In The Name Of Love)’ is being shot this week in North Carolina with the US national quad.
Says ESPN’s senior Vice President of Marketing, “Our goal with this campaign is to make World Cup soccer meaningful and relevant to American sports fans. We show the passion that fans around the world have through compelling stories that are set to the music of U2 and narrated by the band members themselves.”