Soccer Watch

1) Austin Posse, We Hardly Knew Ye With almost no advance publicity, this start-up pro team brought in a major-league roster and announced games against top-flight teams from four different nations. Then, just as suddenly, they were gone – folded after just three exhibition games, and leaving behind an ocean of ill will, unpaid debts, and a tough act to follow for the next folks brave enough to try to bring pro soccer to Austin.

2) Arsenal goes undefeated Gunners ran through the 38-game English Premier League without a single loss – the first time anyone's done that since 1888-89.

3) Mia, Brandi, Jodi, Julie, et al. go out in a blaze of gold The Class of '91 made one final statement before riding off into the sunset, lifting gold medals at the Athens Olympics.

4) Donovan, DaMarcus don't The U.S. men, on the other hand, didn't even make it to Athens, getting bounced by Mexico, 4-0, in qualifying.

5) Greece takes Euro2004 title Big underdogs in the final against host Portugal, and indeed throughout, the Greeks brought home the quadrennial championship, and a big pre-Olympics boost.

6) Porto wins Champions League The Portuguese champs brought home Europe's top club honor, just before their country hosted the Euro championships.

7) Once Caldas wins Copa Libertadores Unheralded, small-market Once beat the Brazilian and Argentine giants to become the first Colombians to hoist South America's top club trophy.

8) UT makes the Sweet 16 Despite considerable regular-season success, the Lady Horns had never won an NCAA tournament game. This year they won two.

9) NE Metro Park hosts 2004 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Tourney The newly expanded county facility hosted this major national youth tournament Thanksgiving weekend.

10) Michael Owen goes to Real Madrid Last year it was David Beckham; this year it's former Liverpool star Owen joining Los Galacticos. And they still can't win. L.A. Lakers, anyone?