Soccer notes
Cats looking forward to match with Scum, we mean Sun Devils
Plus: MLS playoff update and former Cat plays for El Tri
The University of Arizona Wildcat soccer team faces their last opponent of the season Friday, one that is both familiar to and universally disliked by Wildcat fans of every sport: the Arizona State Sun Devils.
For those of us that grew up in Tucson and are indoctrinated by the 112-year-old rivalry, buying into the competition is easy. But what about players who aren't from Arizona? How quickly are they caught up in it?
Goalkeeper Ashley Jett grew up in Texas, but she picked up on the I-10 rivalry right away.
"The second you get on campus you adopt it. Anytime you go up against ASU you put your all into it, no matter what it is. It doesn't matter where you are from."
Jett is a senior and the ASU contest will be her last game. She will be honored in a short ceremony before the game.
The game will be Friday night at Mulcahy Stadium, 2300 E 15th St. Kickoff will be at 7:00 PM.
MLS playoffs continue
The list of teams still in the MLS playoffs has been culled to six, and will be four after the second leg of conference semi-finals are played Thursday night
Thursday night's games feature the Houston Dynamo taking on Philadelphia Union, and New York Red Bulls facing the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The New York - Los Angeles contest attracted attention this week because of the trash talk between Red Bull Luke Rodgers and the Galaxy's Landon Donovan on their Twitter accounts. Donovan accused the Red Bulls of "cheap" play. Rodgers shot back by accusing Donovan of whining too much to the referees.
It's not a boxing weigh-in, but it is strong talk by MLS standards.
The Houston - Philadelphia game gets underway at 5:30 p.m. local time, and the Galaxy kicks off against New York at 8 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Cuellar gets a cap
Former Wildcat forward Renae Cuellar is being given a chance to play with the Mexico national team. She previously played for Mexico in the U-20 world cup, scoring goals against both Japan and England.
She'll be on the roster for a game against France being held in Martinique on Nov. 20th.