Hesmer, Crew in MLS Cup; Winslow, Lady Deacs done for '08

Just in case anyone hasn't heard, William Hesmer and the Columbus Crew will play for the MLS Cup on Sunday at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The Crew, making their first Cup final appearance, will meet the New York Red Bulls, another first-time finalist, at 3:30 p.m. EST. The match will be televised by ABC.

Hesmer, a former Hunt High School and Wake Forest University standout, has blossomed into one of the best goalkeepers in MLS this season. I had a chance to chat with him Wednesday night and am planning on a feature story on Will in Friday's sports section of the Wilson Daily Times.

Will plans on putting on a soccer clinic on Dec. 20 at Gillette Athletic Complex with some of his MLS buddies and a slew of former Wilson players. Stay tuned for more information on this huge event.

While Will still has one soccer match left this season, the year is over for another former high school star from Wilson — Wake junior Sarah Winslow. Her Lady Demon Deacons were eliminated 2-1 by James Madison in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday.

It was a disappointing end to a solid season for Winslow, who was fourth at Wake in goals scored with five while handing out three assists. The No. 23-ranked Lady Deacs finished 13-8 with five of those losses by one goal.

ESPN alert: local soccer talent on TV

Wilson native William Hesmer and the Columbus Crew will take on the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer action tonight at 8 on ESPN. Hesmer, a former Hunt High School and Wake Forest University star as well as the 2000 Wilson Daily Times Athlete of the Year, is in his second season with Columbus after being traded by Kansas City in late 2006.

After a 7-1 start, Hesmer and the Crew have struggled going 4-5-3 and falling six points behind Eastern Conference leader New England Revolution. Hesmer was No. 4 in goals-against average during the quick start but has dropped to 10th among MLS goalkeepers.

Another Wilson soccer player, recent Fike High graduate Austen King, may be on ESPNU on Friday. King's Capital Area Soccer League '89 Elite are in the US Soccer Development Academy championships in Carson, Calif. King, unfortunately, has suffered an ankle injury and will likely be sidelined for Friday 3:30 p.m. match pitting CASL against FC Westchester in The Home Depot Center.

In the Academy Boys U17-18 championship at 8 p.m. Saturday in ESPN2, the Baltimore Bays take on Los Angeles Futbol Club.