Soccer Watch
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., March 27, 2015
Three different U.S. national teams are in action in Europe this week: The full national team – with a lot of newcomers in the squad – lost 3-2 at Denmark on Wednesday, and will take on Switzerland Tuesday (11am on Fox Sports). The under-20 team is there too, prepping for the U-20 World Cup, which starts May 30 in New Zealand, while the U-23s are on tour as well, to start preparations for the 2016 Olympic Qualifying tournament coming up in October. Austin Aztex forward Alfred Koroma Shams is one of those called up for that trip, along with former Aztex forward Khiry Shelton, now in MLS with New York City FC.
Euro 2016 qualifiers are on various Fox and ESPN networks all day Friday through Sunday, vying with MLS on Fox, and of course the Aztex at House Park Saturday evening (see "Austin Aztex Season Opener").
The European Champions League Round of 16 finished last week, with England shut out of the final eight for the second time in three years. The quarterfinals are April 14-22: Barcelona-Paris St. Germain, Bayern Munich-Porto, Real Madrid-Atlético Madrid, and Juventus-Monaco... To make matters worse, Brits were shut out of the Europa League quarterfinals as well... Our own continental championship, the CONCACAF Champions League, is down to the semifinals: Costa Rican minnow Herediano took a surprise 3-0 win over Mexican giant Club América last week, while the Montreal Impact, possibly the MLS' worst team, will try to defend a 2-0 lead over Alajuelense next week down in Costa Rica. The return legs are April 7-8, and the home-and-away final April 22 & 29.
