From Round Rock to the World

The big news in these parts this week was that the Austin Aztex announced a home field for their inaugural season. They'll play all eight of their home games at Round Rock High's Dragon Stadium. There had been intense speculation about the venue; the team's announcement press release noted that a lot of stadiums they looked at "are unavailable in 2008, for one reason and another, but that doesn't mean we won't be re-visiting them for the 2009 season." With that hard choice behind them, the spirits were high at the team's kick-off party event Monday night. See Tuesday's posting for more.

The U.S. men thumped Poland, 3-0, on Wednesday, in Poland, with a lineup heavy with Europe-based players. Solid showing, including goals from two defenders – Carlos Bocranegra and Oguchi Onyewu – who've been struggling this year with their club teams.

England, meanwhile, went down tamely in France, 1-0, in the first game of the Fabio Capello era (and David Beckham's 100th appearance for his country). Back home, two different rumors this week had Beckham becoming an MLS owner – either buying the Galaxy when he retires in a few years, or buying in an expansion team.

The MLS season kicks off this weekend. The Houston Dynamo open Saturday, March 29, at New England, in a rematch of last year's title game (6:30pm on FSC).

CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals and UEFA Champions League quarterfinals both start April 1-2. See details, and England news, below.

CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals start April 1-2: DC United at defending champion Pachuca of Mexico on Tuesday; the Dynamo hosting Costa Rican champ Saprissa on Wednesday (houstondynamo.com for ticket info). Both games are at 9pm, live on FSC. The return legs are April 8-9; between that and the MLS schedule, the Dynamo open with five games in 15 days.

UEFA Champions League quarterfinals start April 1-2, as well, all at 1:30pm.
Tuesday: Roma–Manchester Utd (ESPN2); Schalke 04–Barcelona.
Wednesday: Arsenal–Liverpool (ESPN2); Fenerbahce–Chelsea.
The return legs are April 8-9.

In England's "Big 4" weekend, Manchester United took a big step toward another premiership title by dominating Liverpool, 3-0, while Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 in a London derby, to pass them into second place. With seven games to play, the race looks like this:

Team - Pts
Man Utd - 73
Chelsea - 68
Arsenal - 67
Liverpool - 59
Everton - 57
Portsmouth - 50

And down in the League Championship, Aztex affiliate Stoke clings to first place -- barely -- in a very tight five-team race for three promotion spots. Note that either Watford or West Brom could be in first, once they make up their games-in-hand.

Team - GP - Pts
Stoke City - 40 - 68
Bristol City - 40 - 67
Hull City - 40 - 65
Watford - 39 - 65
West Brom - 38 - 63