• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, April 6, 2012

Univision gave a glimpse of what its new 24/7 Spanish-language sports network will focus on when it launched Saturday. It is not a surprise: soccer.

The 3 p.m. debut of Univision Deportes featured a Major League Soccer match. At 7 p.m., a highlight and preview show titled “Futbol Central” launched, followed by a Mexican league double-header. Between the MLS game and highlight show was a boxing program sponsored by Tecate beer.

The evening concluded with the cable network’s version of “SportsCenter,” its nightly wrap-up show “Univision Deportes Extra,” which emanates from a Miami studio.  

The network -- which will compete with ESPN Deportes and other entities trying to capitalize on the passion for sports among Hispanic audiences -- is not launching with wide distribution. Dish Network is the only operator offering it.

While it was not entirely clear whether World Cup games in 2014 will be on the network, it will offer loads of coverage. The same goes for games featuring the U.S. and Mexican national teams.

There will be shows (tabbed “fan headquarters”) focused solely on the Mexican national team and multiple clubs in the Liga Mexicana.

“Univision Deportes Extra” will have correspondents in Los Angeles, New York and Miami. “República Deportiva,” which airs on flagship Univision, will also be on the sports offshoot.

Univision looked to give the network a push with a simultaneous, one-minute promo on Univision,TeleFutura and Galavisión.