Sorry you didn't get any reply. I believe all escorts are the same. 5"x7" rear and 5.25" or 6.5" front door. See below for considerations on the door. Per my original post the factory speakers appear to be a non-standard size. Smaller than 6.5" but larger than 5.25".. more like 6". So I bet crutchfield takes the safe route by suggesting a smaller speaker. In reality there isn't much preventing a 6.5" speaker fitting except they tend to be a bit deeper. The depth is the issue. OE replacement style speakers seem to keep the dimensions pretty tight so I didn't have an issue with the cheapy 6.5"s I used in the red escort. However higher quality speakers tend to use more space so looking into the specs is necessary, and/or making spacers and modifying the door card to clear.
Now that I have checked some more, I am finding all the online fitament guides saying 5.25" door speakers. I will have to check the ~20 year old Pioneer box and OE speaker that I still have around and make some measurements and post back here for comparison purposes. Even though it's been more then 20 years on those speakers, I do not recall having any issues installing them or needing to use any adapter (except for the electrical adapter).
entry level pioneer 6.5's fit great and don't sound horrible. if your looking for a stock sty replacement that will never see amp power then they are your ticket.
Got the 6.5" speakers installed in the doors. Sounds are greatly improved. Old 20 year old speakers were not working much, and we're rusty. Both interior door handles are broken. The plastic where the weird (M6 sheet metal screw???) holds it to the door (through the door panel) crumbled. I have no idea how to fix that.