Soccer Watch

It's just one week now until the Austin Aztex begin their PDL title defense, hosting the Houston Dutch Lions at House Park at 7pm Saturday, May 10. And, just four days later, it was announced this week that they'll host NTX Rayados in the U.S. Open Cup second round, 7:30pm Wednesday, May 14. The last two preseason games are this weekend at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex, 10211 W. Parmer: 6:30pm Friday against Austin FC, a semi-pro indoor team that plays in the Premier Arena Soccer League; and 4pm Sunday against APPA Aguillas of the USL Super Y-League. The Aztex beat St. Edward's on Saturday, 2-1, and it took 19-year-old Gambian phenom Bubacarr Jobe all of seven minutes to get on the scoreboard for his new team, with an assist on Chuy Cortes' opening goal. Season tickets are now on sale at www.austinaztex.com: A package of eight flex tickets (also good for the U.S. Open Cup) is on sale for $50 through May 10, when the price goes up to $60.

The European Champions League finals will be a crosstown affair, as both Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid won semifinals on the road this week: Real 4-0 at Bayern Munich, and Atlético 3-1 at Chelsea... TV game of the weekend: Manchester City at Everton, 11:30am Saturday, CNBC. With Liverpool's shock loss last week, Man City has the title race in their own hands, but must beat Everton, who are holding onto a slim chance at Champ­ions League qualification themselves. Could be Everton/U.S. goalie Tim Howard's last meaningful game before he steps on the field for the U.S. in the World Cup... Kickoff in 41 days.