St. Edward’s women survived a penalty-kick shootout against Abilene Christian on Sunday to advance to the Division 2 NCAA final 16; they host second-ranked Central Missouri (one of only two unbeaten, untied teams in the field) Thursday, Nov. 18, 11am, at SEU Soccer Field. The winner advances to the national quarterfinal against either Seattle Pacific or UC-San Diego: Saturday, Nov. 20, 1pm, on the same field. $10, adults; $5, students and seniors; $2, kids 2-12.
The UT women weren’t so lucky; their season ended with a 3-1 loss to James Madison in the NCAA first round; Oklahoma State is the only Big 12 team to make it to the Sweet 16.
The MLS Cup is this Sunday in Toronto, with FC Dallas on a roll and looking like a potentially worthy champion after trouncing the favored L.A. Galaxy 3-0 last week in Los Angeles. They face the underwhelming Colorado Rapids in the final, Sunday, Nov. 21, 7:30pm, live on ESPN.
In European Champions League play: Tuesday-Wednesday, Nov. 23-24, sees the next-to-last of the group stage games, with games of the week showing live on Fox channels, 1:45pm.
The U.S. women are in a playoff against Italy over the next two Saturdays for a spot in the 2011 World Cup: Nov. 20 in Italy (9:30am, live online at www.espn3.com), and Nov. 27, 1pm, in Chicago.
As I’ve reported here over the past few weeks, talk continues in various circles about what sort of team might succeed the departed Austin Aztex – up to and including setting up a cooperative, or community-owned team. To that end, “all fans of professional soccer in Austin” are invited to join in “discussing our options in the post-Austin Aztex era,” in a couple of weeks: Saturday, Dec. 4, 2-4pm, at Mister Tramp’s Pub (8565 Research); more info at www.chanticosarmy.com and/or www.austinphoenixsoccer.com.
This article appears in November 19 • 2010.