Semifinal Shootout in Texas

For the Bruins and Trojans women’s soccer programs, the season has boiled down to this.

I linked to the Daily Bruin and Daily Trojan previews of today’s semifinal between the two schools Thursday; here’s the Daily News’ version.

There’s more info here.

Sophomore USC starting goalkeeper Kristin Olsen of Orange has recorded 11 solo shutouts and three shared this season, equaling last year’s program record program of 14 for the Trojans.

Here’s a Q & A with Olsen.

For those of you playing hooky from work on a gray and rainy Friday in LA, the USC-UCLA semi begins at 4 p.m. on ESPNU (and will be replayed at 9 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2); the Notre Dame-Florida State semi precedes it at 2 p.m., also on ESPNU.

The weather is better in Texas.

Youth is Served II

The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team won their first game Thursday under new head coach Wilmer Cabrera, winning 2-0 against Russia at the Development Academy Nike Friendlies in Bradenton, Fla.

Midfielder Carlos Martinez of Las Vegas and Stefan Jerome scored for the U.S.

The U.S. next faces Brazil at 11:30 a.m. Saturday live on Fox Soccer Channel.

Back in the South Bay, Red Bull starlet Jozy Altidore blogs for the New York Times about the U-23 USMNT Training Camp in Carson.

South Bay prep scores are here.

Solo Speaks

Finally, U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo, blackballed by her teammates after her World Cup comments, has spoken publicly for the first time since then ahead of next week’s Women’s National Team training camp in Carson.

I plan to head out to training camp Monday, so look for more on the team’s first training camp under new Coach Pia Sundhage then.