If the UT Longhorns are going to make it to the NCAA Final Four this year, they’ll have to take the long road. The Horns are off to Oregon for the tourney’s first round: they play Washington State at 7pm Friday evening, while host and No. 2 seed Portland plays Northern Arizona. The winners face off at 3pm Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16. I’m sure the Horns cringed when they saw they’d drawn Portland. The Pilots are a very good team; they’re also 8-0-0 all-time against UT, and ended the Horns’ season in the 2004 and 2006 NCAAs.
Texas State is going to the dance as well; after winning their fourth Southland Conference tournament title last weekend, they’re at Texas A&M, Friday night at 7pm.
St. Edward’s men and women were both dissed by the NCAA, failing to draw Division II bids despite finishing 13-4-2 and 13-3-1, respectively. Bummer.
MLS shocker: two-time defending champ Houston Dynamo lost 3-0 at home to the much-maligned New York Red Bulls. Conference finals are this week: Chicago at Columbus at 6:30pm Thursday, and New York at Real Salt Lake, 8:30pm Saturday.
Stoke City pushed their unbeaten streak in England to three games, with a scoreless draw at Wigan, following a couple of wins in a row. Let’s see if they keep it up this week at Manchester United. The Potters also advanced to the Carling Cup fifth round on Tuesday, beating League Two Rotherham, 2-0.
Stoke’s American cousin, the Austin Aztex, had a dual ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, opening their new offices (13359 N. Research), and unveiling their new logo for the 2009 season. More announcements to follow soon. www.austinaztex.com.
This article appears in November 7 • 2008.