US team in World Cup semifinals
Join Houston soccer fans this Sunday at Brian O'Neill's to watch the US v Germany World Cup  semifinal. Game begins at 6:25 pm CT on ESPN2 & Telefutura. The second semifinal will be Sweden v Canada at 9:25 pm, also on ESPN2 & Telefutura.

During the games, you can get a 12" pizza w/one topping and a pitcher of domestic beer for just $12. For info, see http://www.brianoneills.com. Also, enter the HWSA/Brian O'Neill's World Cup raffle to win authentic World Cup Tshirts and Brian O'Neill's gift certificates. $1 per entry. Proceeds benefit HWSA.

The 3rd place match will be Saturday, October 11, 2:30 pm CT on ESPN2 & Telefutura, and the final will be Sunday, October 12 at noon CT on ABC & Telefutura. Both games will be shown at Brian O'Neill's. For more info about teams and players, see http://www.fifaworldcup.com.

Soccer's Bayou Bucket tonight
Don't miss Houston's collegiate soccer showdown -- Rice v Houston at 7 pm tonight at the Rice Track/Soccer Stadium. UH has topped Rice 2-1 in the two previous meetings of this budding soccer rivalry, and Rice's Chris Huston was once Houston's coach. Rice is 2-6-1 so far in 2003, while UH is 2-8-1. All kids wearing their soccer uniforms get in free; otherwise it's $6 for adults, $4 for youth/seniors.

MLS on TV this weekend
Saturday, 7:30 pm on Fox Sports World: Los Angeles Galaxy (Carlos Ruiz, Cobi Jones) at Chicago Fire (DaMarcus Beasley)
Sunday, 3 pm on ESPN2: NY/NJ MetroStars (Clint Mathis) at San Jose Earthquakes (Landon Donovan, Brian Ching)

US women to face Mexico in Dallas
The women's national team returns to Texas for the first time since 2000 for a post-World Cup friendly at the Cotton Bowl on Sunday, November 2 at 3 pm CT. Tickets go on sale Monday. For info, see http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=44094.

More NCAA soccer around town
Friday
Louisiana-Monroe at Sam Houston State, 7 pm

Sunday
Tulsa at Rice, 1 pm (kids in their soccer uniforms get in free!)
Northwestern State at Sam Houston State, 1 pm

Give a shout out to Houston soccer stores & bars
Nominate your favorite soccer bar & store as candidates for U.S. Soccer's 2nd Annual "Best of" series. Submit nominations at http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=44182 through early November. The pool of candidates will be pared down to ten before balloting begins for these categories and others. "Best Soccer Bar" honors the top soccer-friendly bar in the US. You know the place: it's where you watch the U.S. play an away World Cup qualifier and the place that opens on Saturday at 6 a.m. so you can watch the day's English Premier League offerings. "Best Soccer Store" honors the best all-around store to buy all things soccer, from gear for your Saturday league to the red-hot U.S. World Cup jersey.

ESPN2 Documentary on Team USA
Part two  of "Road Trip with Team USA" will air after the World Cup third-place match Saturday, October 11 at 4:30 p.m. CT.

Open goalkeeper training on Monday nights
Training sessions by Competitive Excellence Goalkeeping, every Monday 8-9:30pm at Burroughs Park in northwest Houston (see map). Open to any keeper, regardless of club or school affiliation. Session fee is $25. Sessions begin tonight. For info, call 713.385.5467 or email cegoalie@pdq.net.

Glenn Davis' Sunday Soccer Hour
Every Sunday at 5 pm, 90.1 FM's "Soccer Hour with Glenn Davis" features live interviews, coverage of local events, and opinions. Call-ins welcome: 713-526-5738. Missed the show? You can access it at http://www.kpftarchive.org.

YMCA high school soccer
The Weekley Family Y on Stella Link offers high school soccer on weeknights, 8:30-10 pm, and is open to those in high school, age 14+. Play until 9:30, then head indoors for a snack and a chance to hang out with friends. New this year is the opportunity to be an assistant coach for one of the youth soccer teams. Cost is $65 for Weekley Family Y members, otherwise $100. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Registration is ongoing. Come by the Weekley Family YMCA, 7101 Stella Link or contact Arnold at (713) 664-966 x110 or arnoldc@ymcahouston.org.

HWSA skills clinic
Women's soccer skills clinic on Saturday, October 18, 9 am at Wilson Elementary in Montrose. $5 per person. Minimum age 16. All skill levels welcome. RSVP to the keeper. Details and map link online at http://www.hwsa.org/clinics.htm.