Photo courtesy of the Dynamo

Best weekend ever for Texas soccer. And while penalty kick shootouts are still a terrible way to end a soccer game, this week I’ve gotta say: They’re a lot better when you win ’em.

Kasey Moore

First the Houston Dynamo nabbed the state’s first Major League Soccer title with a 1-1 (4-3 SO) win over the New England Revolution, after Brian Ching’s electrifying goal to tie the game with just six minutes left in the second overtime. And the city celebrated like it had won … well, a major sports championship.

Then on Monday, the UT Lady Longhorns edged past host Connecticut – 3-1 in spot kicks after a 1-1 draw through regulation and overtime – to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16. The Horns had beaten Long Island University, 4-0, in the first round on Friday.

This weekend, UT will host the NCAA third round, as the No. 1 seeded Horns take on the defending national champion Portland Pilots, a rematch of the 2004 NCAA third round, when the Pilots ended UT’s season, 2-0, also here in Austin. 1pm Sunday, Nov. 19, Mike A. Myers Stadium. $7, $4 students.

Euro2008 qualifying headed into its winter break with a light schedule Wednesday; results, standings, plus more on UT and the MLS at austinchronicle.com/soccer.

This article appears in November 17 • 2006.

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