Olympic soccer
begins
The US women kick off their campaign for Olympic
gold next Wednesday against Greece. Game airs live on
MSNBC at 10 am, and later on Telemundo at 5 pm. Likely
starters for the US include Briana Scurry, Mia Hamm, Abby
Wambach, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Shannon Boxx and
Kristine Lilly. And keep an eye on Greece's #3 ... she's
Houston's own Sophia Smith, who plays for the Houston
Stars of the WPSL & United Cosmos in HWSA.
The other first round matches for the US will be
Saturday, August 14 against Brazil (10 am on CNBC) and
Tuesday, August 17 against Australia (10 am on MSNBC).
Quarterfinals begin August 20. More info at http://www.ussoccer.com/events/competitions.sps?iType=326.
Mexico fans: The Tricolores men face Mali in the first
round on August 11. Game airs live at noon on Telemundo.
Mexico then faces the Republic of Korea on August 14
(12:30 pm on Telemundo) and Greece on August 17 (12:30 pm
on Telemundo). Quarterfinals begin August 21. The
Tricolores women, in their first-ever Olympics, face
China on August 14 and Germany on August 17. No word yet
on broadcast info... but be ready to cheer for Texan
Monica Gonzalez, #4.
For a full broadcast schedule of the Olympics, see http://www.nbcolympics.com/tvlistings/index.html. For rosters for Olympic soccer teams,
see http://www.fifa.com/en/news/feature/0,1451,102362,00.html?articleid=102362.
STYSA Spanish coaching course
South Texas Youth Soccer will host a national C
license coaching course in Spanish this September in
Houston. Go to http://www.stxsoccer.org/Primary/Coaching%20Education.htm or email coach@stxsoccer.org for
more info.
MLS: better by the dozen
MLS will add two teams for the 2005 season: a
team in Salt Lake City and the American version of Chivas
in LA. For more info, see the News section of http://www.mlsnet.com.
A big shout out to ...
all the "true blue" fans who turned out for the
Everton matches at Reliant Stadium (especially the
creative supporter whose jersey read "Texas
04") and the "wild & crazy in yellow"
Club America fans.
WUSA/World Cup stars in W-League championships
The final four of the W-League, the semi-pro
women's league with teams across the US and Canada, will
be played in Ottawa this weekend. The semifinals will be
Saturday; the final airs live on Fox Sports World Sunday
at 4 pm. All four playoff teams feature veterans of the
WUSA and/or 2003 Women's World Cup:
Chicago Cobras: Charmaine Hooper (Canada/Atlanta Beat),
Krista Davey (New York Power/HWSA), Julie & Nancy
Augustyniak (Atlanta Beat)
NJ Wildcats: Marinette Pichon (France/Philadelphia
Charge), Kelly Smith (Philadelphia Charge), Bonnie Young
(New York Power/Houston's Challenge Club)
Ottawa Fury: Taryn Swiatek (Canada's World Cup keeper)
Vancouver Whitecaps: Kara Lang & Brittany Timko
(Canada)
HFA player roundup
On Sunday, August 15 at 9 am, Bear Creek field
26, the Houston Football Association will hold a new
player roundup for men interested in joining a team. The
format is a casual scrimmage, so bring both a white and
dark shirt. The roundup is free and open to males over
age 15. See http://www.hfasoccer.com.
August adult soccer clinics
HWSA hosts two skills clinics for men &
women this month at Wilson Elementary, August 21 &
28, 9-10:30 am. The August 21 clinic will have a
goalkeeper session as well. Minimum age 16, $5 per
person. Please RSVP.
See http://www.hwsa.org/clinics.htm. This is also a good opportunity to find
a team for the fall season.
US Soccer Foundation grants
The US Soccer Foundation has unveiled a new application
process for soccer clubs, organizations, and
municipalities interested in applying for grant funds to
support planned or existing soccer projects. Using a new,
two-page letter of inquiry process, interested parties
will be able to submit a snapshot of their project to the
foundation through ussoccerfoundation.org. To learn more
about the rules and deadlines, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org.
Website of the week
Okay, I'm biased, but it's a fun site: http://www.evertonfc.com/index.php. Just how many Premiership teams do you
know that would fly all the way to Texas to do two-a-days
in the Houston humidity AND go to Minute Maid Park to
cheer for the Astros?
Live soccer on TV
Saturday
MLS: New England v Columbus, 3 pm, ESPN2
French division 1: Marseille v Bordeaux, 1 pm, Fox Sports
World
PDL championship: Central Florida v Boulder, 6 pm, Fox
Sports World
MLS: San Jose v DC United, 9 pm, Fox Sports World
Sunday
English FA Community Shield: Arsenal v Man U, 8:30 am,
Fox Sports World
Sunday Soccer Hour on KPFT
"Soccer Hour with Glenn Davis" airs
every Sunday at 5 pm with live interviews of soccer
celebrities (sometimes) and coverage of local
events/players on 90.1 FM. Call-ins encouraged:
713-526-5738.
|