Soccer Watch

Saturday, Feb. 23, is Global Sports Day at St. Edward's University, a free event celebrating the sports and culture of Mexico. Starting at 10am, there's a youth soccer clinic and family-friendly activities, including a performance by Matachines de San Jose ritual dancers. At noon is an exhibition game between the Nationals and Tecnológico de Monterrey. The Nationals are a new pro women's soccer team in town; for more info on them, see www.thenationalwomen.com.

Orlando City FC (né Austin Aztex) announced a new owner this week, Brazilian media mogul Flávio Augusto da Silva, who promised to make Orlando City a "global brand," in part by bringing a "Brazilian Beckham" to the team by 2015 or 2016, following the World Cup and Orlando's entry into Major League Soccer. We shall see. Phil Rawlins remains club president.

AC Milan shocked Barcelona, 2-0, in Champions League action this week, and Arsenal lost meekly at home to Bayern Munich, 1-3, three days after exiting the FA Cup with a home loss to lower-division Blackburn. Double ouch.

Former U.S. Men's National Team player Robbie Rogers announced Friday that he's gay, and also that it's "time to step away" from pro soccer at the age of 25, because of the fear and stress of keeping the secret, and the need to "discover [himself] away from football." The support from the football community was immediate and seemingly universal. Tweet of the hour came from former U.S. defender Eddie Pope: "Brave men like you will make it so that one day there's no need for an announcement. That day can't arrive soon enough. #support." See Rogers' announcement at www.therobbierogers.com.