The UT Longhorns won their first game in the NCAAs, beating Washington State, 1-0, then were ousted, 2-0, by the host Portland Pilots, who outshot UT 22-4 and dominated play despite having three starters off in Chile, playing for the U.S. in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup. It was the third time in five years that the Pilots have ended UT’s season in the NCAAs. (Speaking of youth World Cups, the U.S. lost to North Korea, 2-1, in the final of the U-17 Women’s World Cup on Sunday in New Zealand.)

And so, suddenly, the local college soccer season is over, though elsewhere it goes on. Texas A&M was the only Texas or Big 12 team to make it through the first weekend in Division I; they’re at Florida on Sunday. Texas A&M-Commerce advanced to the final 16 in Women’s D2. Still alive on the men’s side: Wichita Falls’ Midwestern State in Division II, and unbeaten Trinity of San Antonio in Division III. No Texas teams qualified in Men’s Division I.

Below – seasons go on: Aztex, Stoke, WC2010, Champs League, MLS Cup Final

The Austin Aztex have announced a pair of weekend soccer camps for the holiday season: Dec. 22-24 at West Austin Youth Association, and Dec. 29-31 at the Quarries; see www.austinaztex.com for more info.

Aztex affiliate Stoke City ended their unbeaten streak in a big way on Saturday, getting trounced at Manchester United, 5-0. This week they host last-place West Brom; that game’s on FSC, delayed at 7pm Saturday.

Australia, Japan, and South Korea all made big steps toward qualifying for World Cup 2010 out of Asia on Wednesday, with shutout road wins in the Middle East. That (and six CONCACAF games after press time Wednesday night) marked the last major international action of the year.

Champions League game day five is Nov. 25-26. ESPN2 has Man. U at Villarreal Tuesday, and Chelsea at Bordeaux Wednesday, both at 1:30pm.

The MLS Cup Final this Sunday (Nov. 23, at 2:30pm on ABC) pits regular season champ Columbus Crew against the surprising New York Red Bulls, who are acting like they suddenly remember how to play football.

This article appears in November 14 • 2008.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US