Soccer Watch

My apologies for reporting last week that ESPN2 was going to be televising all of the European Champions League semifinal games. Imagine my surprise and embarrassment when I turned on the Milan-PSV game and found an extended Bowflex commercial or some such instead. Harumph! At this time, ESPN is saying that they'll be airing both of next week's games. You can believe that or not. In any case:

Chelsea and AC Milan have looked like the best teams in Europe for most of the year, but neither looked all that in the first leg of the Champs League semifinals.

AC Milan 2, PSV Eindhoven 0. Milan looked shaky and vulnerable, but escaped with a late goal in each half, and seem certain to survive next week's return leg in Holland. DaMarcus Beasley, starting for PSV, became the first American to appear in a Champs League semifinal.

Chelsea 0, Liverpool 0. In a game with a huge press buildup, both teams played not to lose, and both seemed satisfied with the result. Let's hope for better football Merseyside. The return legs are this week, Chelsea at Liverpool, Tuesday, May 3, and AC Milan at PSV, Wednesday, May 4; both at 1:30pm on ESPN2. The final is May 25 in Istanbul.

St. Edward's is running a free soccer clinic on Saturday, April 30, 9am-noon (rain date May 7). It's for boys and girls ages 9-12; free, no prior experience required. At the St. Edward's soccer field, off South Congress. 448-8507 for more info.