After a week off, the Austin Aztex finish their season-opening homestand this Friday, May 8, hosting the Puerto Rico Islanders, probably the best team in the United Soccer Leagues, and recently a semifinalist in the CONCACAF Champions League. The game will be nationally televised on Fox Soccer Channel, so fans are encouraged to come early, be loud, and wear red. Friday, May 8, 7pm. Nelson Field, Berkman Drive north of U.S. 290. $18-22.

Tough week for the London clubs, playing at home this week in the European Champions League semifinals: Manchester United absolutely gutted Arsenal on Tuesday, 3-1; it was over early, with two Reds goals in the first 11 minutes. Then on Wednesday, Barcelona, without a single shot on goal all game, and playing a man down for the last half-hour, somehow came up with a winner five minutes deep into extra time to stun host Chelsea. The final is May 27 in Rome; Man U will be heavy favorites to become the first team ever to nab back-to-back Champions League titles.

The swine-flu-delayed second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final – Atlante vs. Cruz Azul (with the hosts holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg) – is Tuesday, May 12, at 9pm, live from Cancun on FSC.

Warren St. John, author of Outcasts United, the true tale of the Fugees, a youth soccer team made up of international refugees relocated to Georgia, appears at Bookpeople (603 Lamar) at 7pm Monday, May 11.

This article appears in May 1 • 2009.

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