Soccer Watch

Kristin Cummins had two goals and an assist in the UT Longhorns' season opener Friday, a 3-2 overtime win over highly regarded Dayton. A Sunday trip to Arkansas was less successful: a 1-0 loss despite outshooting the Razorbacks 19-9. The Horns are back in action with two home games this weekend: Vs. North Carolina State, Friday, Aug. 24, 8pm; Vs. Toledo, Sunday, Aug. 26, 1pm. Order a bundle pack for the Friday game – ticket and T-shirt for $8 – by calling 232-3865 before noon Friday. And on Sunday after the game, the Horns will conduct a youth clinic, free for kids 8th grade and under Both games are live on Longhorn Network.

But that's not the only game in town. Fall recreational leagues are starting up in a few weeks; to get involved, contact the Austin Men's Soccer Association (www.austinmenssoccer.com), Austin Women's Soccer League (www.awsl.org), and the most recreational of all, the Austin Coed Soccer Association (www.acsasoccer.org). Between them, those organizations run some 23 leagues and divisions, with more than 240 teams, at last count, at (trust me) every level of skill and fitness. And I can't even begin to keep track of the indoor soccer scene at SoccerZone South Austin, and the SoccerPlex at Cedar Park (www.soccerzonesouthaustin.com, www.soccerplexcedarpark.com), where dozens more adult soccer leagues share space with lacrosse, flag football, futsal, dodgeball, and pickleball leagues. If you can't find a team to play on, you're not trying.

There is a lot going on internationally as well, with European Champions League play under way, even before many teams start their seasons, and MLS teams swinging into action in CONCACAF Champions League this midweek. Check listings; a lot of those games are on Fox and ESPN networks and www.espn3.com.