Boots we'd wear off the field

Ok so we're total soccer geeks. We love the game and its gear.

On the field, thanks to our daytime gig, we usually look better than we

play. But off the field, well let's just say we're not the dudes rocking the

obscure club jersey just to prove how much we love the game.

Sure, we have a few replica jerseys in our closets and we love our soccer

tees just as much as the neck guy, but we don't live in our gear.

However, there are a few new kicks that have us reconsidering our style:

First up - Nike's Lunar Gato.

I think it's the Lunarlite technology - it not only looks cool (it's the

bright orange parts of the outsole) but it feels incredible. It really does

feel lighter and springier (a word?) than the traditional EVA.

http://bit.ly/eQbRdJ

adidas Samba Vulc II

Ok, so we've always been partial to adidas' classic style, especially the

Samba. And this version with its contrast laces and gum rubber toe cap steps

up the style. We totally dig it and would live in this cool shoe.

http://bit.ly/bqtos2

PUMA v5.10 Sala

This boot is made for sala but we think it's worthy of everyday wear. The

suede and mesh combo upper creates a unique look and the extended gum rubber

outsole can stand up to the streets. We also like the fact that there's no

fold-over tongue. 

http://bit.ly/gTLWsj

What do you think? You have a favorite indoor boot you wear on the street? 

US And Chile Draw 1-1

Little was expected, and the same was delivered as the US  and Chile  National Teams drew 1-1 in a friendly match this past Saturday in Carson, CA.  Both sides featured young , but promising additions to to the respective National sides as both are looking forward to their continental Championships to be held this summer, Chile in the Copa America and the US in The Gold Cup.  The US was captained by North Carolina alumnus Dax McCartey, who was making only his fourth appearance with the senior National Team.  Both sides looked inexperienced and rusty, with little to show for the energy and enthusiasm displayed.

Chile drew first blood in the 53rd minute as Esteban Paredes (the only player from either team to have played in last summer's World Cup) took advantage of extremely suspect marking by the US defense and neatly finished past GK Nick Rimando.  The tenor of the match changed markedly though when Teal Bunbury and Juan Agudelo took the field as substitutions in the 59th minute.  16 minutes after entering the match, they both left their stamp on it.  After receiving a pass at the top of the box from Alejandro Bedoya, the 18 year old  Agudelo (who scored the winning goal in his National  Team debut against South Africa in November ) turned and beat one defender before being upended by a second just steps inside the penalty area.  Bunbury stepped up and coolly buried the subsequent PK for his first international goal.  The pairing of these two young talents bodes well for the US, as an effective scoring punch has been the most noticeably lacking aspect in the development of American soccer.

Allez les Bleus!

After years of wearing adidas uniforms, France is now sporting brand new kits from Nike. Definitely more minimal in design than the adidas kits (no accent stripes/colors) the home jersey is solid blue with white France badge and white Nike logo. A black collar gives just a bit of color contrast. The blue seems to be a slightly different shade than the royal of years past; maybe it has a bit more grey(?). In addition, the hems of the sleeves can be turned up to reveal a red band. 

On the construction of the jersey Nike describes it so: "High tech fabric made from 96% recycled polyester and 4% organic cotton for rapid moisture absorption and high performance evaporation. The use of cotton on the inside of the fabric provides another level of comfort for the players. Set-in sleeve, collar and neckline combine ease of movement with athletic fit. Shoulder seams bonded with ‘soft touch’ tape deliver maximum strength with chaff reduction." 

The new home shorts are white with what Nike calls a "long, slim ergonomic fit." They have a narrow blue side stripe and blue logos. Red socks with a wide, blue top band complete the kits. 

Overall I wouldn't call this the most exciting kit in international soccer but if you like a nice clean and modern look then you're sure to appreciate it. No matter what you think of the design, it would certainly be a comfortable jersey to play in (or wear when supporting your team!).

To promote the launch, Nike has created an interesting ad campaign featuring three French players who play professionally in England: Chelsea's Florent Malouda and Gael Kakuta and Arsenal's Abou Diaby. The players appear to be glass or see-through with blue paint running down their arms and legs. Kind of strange but certainly attention-getting.

Malouda and Diaby are definitely established stars (both played in the World Cup last year) but Kakuta seems an interesting choice for these ads since he has yet to play for the senior France team. He has been very successful at the youth level, however, and at only 19 years old, I guess they see great things ahead for him. Kakuta was loaned to Fulham on January 20 so maybe more playing time there will accelerate his development.

You can check out the new France uniform and other gear, as well as photos from the ad campaign at soccer.com.

New Look US Set For Chile Reception

With just 26 caps spread among the 23 players (Carlos Bedoya is the most senior player with six!) called into the US National Team’s camp, look for some fresh faces as the USMNT hosts Chile in a friendly match on Saturday, January 22, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. With still five more months until the 2011 Gold Cup, Coach Bob Bradley has the luxury of time to experiment with a host of younger players. The contest will be broadcast at 10 pm EST on TeleFutura and ESPN3.com.

For a roster of the players in the US camp, check out this link to US Soccer.

And of course, the true fan needs the appropriate apparel to cheer on the team. You can find jerseys and more here at soccer.com.

It's Gucci Time: The New Age of Designer Luxury Cleats

 

With advances in technology and design, modern day cleats have never been more elaborate, space-aged or expensive for that matter. It’s not that the shoes aren’t worth the price, you certainly get what you pay for when it comes to some of these new enhancements, But it does make us wonder as some cleats straddle the line between high-grade sports equipment and designer luxury fashions.

Take, for one example, the PUMA v.1.10 SL Lightning. A fine boot in its own right with a colorway inspired by running sensation Usain Bolt, but the real eye-catcher is that this boot has genuine Swarovski crystals embedded in the heel. Why? Well, there’s really no practical reason for it at all. The crystals would at best only serve to add additional (albeit negligent) weight to the shoe, which wouldn’t be desirable in a game situation, plus you run the risk of one perhaps popping off during a particularly nasty tackle. But they're sparkly. And it's not just any crystal, it's Swarovski, for what that's worth. It's shiny and baller and cool. And this phenomenon isn’t unique to one boot.

The new boots for Cristiano Ronaldo, the Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II FG Elite (whew), is another great example of a boot that toes line between fashion and sport. This unique safari print features a ghosted chevron design and every technological feature Nike could cram in it. And it shows as this boot typically runs for a retail of $300-$400. Those are practically Carrie Bradshaw prices! And bear in mind, all the shoes we’ve mentioned are the absolute tippy-top of the line, worn by the highest paid players in the most competitive games, But still, when you’re getting to that level of cost and design you wonder where else it can go but up.

I suggest that it won’t be long before we begin to see more collaborations between the major sporting good companies and larger, established design houses creating new limited edition luxury cleats specifically for the elite players of the world. Just in the last year we’ve seen PUMA work on just this, creating limited edition shoes with designs by acclaimed contemporary artists such as Kehinde Wiley.

Can’t you just see Cristiano in a pair of Gucci cleats or maybe David Villa (or more appropriately Beckham) in a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s with removable platinum studs? Admit it, the Chanel logo could easily make for a very unique, if not the most practical, stud design. Keep your eyes peeled on both the pitch and the runway in the coming years, because we haven’t seen anything yet.

Ready for the FIFA Women's World Cup?

In 2010, we had the excitement of the men's FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This year all eyes will be on the women's game as the world's sixteen top teams do battle in Germany from June 26th to July 17th.
As we all know, the US Women have been very successful in international play. As a little warm-up to get you thinking about this summer's big tournament we put together a little trivia contest to test your knowledge.


Questions:

1) We all know Brandi Chastain scored the winning PK against China in the 1999 Women's World Cup. Name three out of the other four US players who also scored on their attempts in that game.

2) During the quarter-finals of the 1999 Women's World Cup against Germany, which US player was charged with an own goal?

3) The USA roster for the first Women's World Cup, held in China in 1991, was made up of 18 players. Name six.

4) At the 1995 WWC, the USA finished third. Name the teams that finished first and second.

5) Seven people have served as head coach of the US Women's National Team since it was founded in 1985. Name four.

6) Though the 1991 tournament is now generally referred to as the Women's World Cup, it officially had a different name. What was it?

7) Mia Hamm is the all-time leading scorer for the US Women's National Team. Within five, how many goals did she score while wearing the red, white and blue?

8) Which team did the USA defeat in the third place game at the 2003 Women's World Cup?

9) All-time caps leader Kristine Lilly recently announced her retirement. Within five, how many caps did she win for the USA?

10) The US Women have won medals in the four Olympic Games in which they have competed. Name the year, city and result for each.

11) The first-ever game played by the US Women’s National Team in 1985 was a 0-1 loss to which European country?

Answers:

1) Carla Overbeck, Joy Fawcett, Kristine Lilly, Mia Hamm

2) Brandi Chastain

3)

Mary Harvey   

April Heinrichs    

Shannon Higgins   

Carla Werden (Overbeck) 

Lori Henry

Brandi Chastain

Tracey Bates (Leone)

Linda Hamilton

Mia Hamm

Michelle Akers

Julie Foudy

Carin Jennings (Gabarra)

Kristine Lilly

Joy Biefeld (Fawcett)

Wendy Gebauer

Debbie Belkin

Amy Allman

Kim Maslin-Kammerdeiner

4) First- Norway, Second- Germany

5) Mike Ryan, Anson Dorrance, Tony DiCicco, Lauren Gregg, April Heinrichs, Greg Ryan, Pia Sundhage

6) Women's World Championships

7) 158

8) Canada

9) 352

10) 1996 Atlanta- Gold, 2000 Sydney -Silver, 2004 Athens -Gold, 2008 Beijing -Gold

11) Italy

adidas F50 adizero Prime

Have you seen it? adidas' new F50 Prime, we saw it around the office months ago, but the images were finally, officially available for public consumption on January 1. And the rumors have been confirmed, it is officially the lightest (for now) soccer boot on the market, weighing in at a scant 5.2 ounces.

What can we say? We're impressed. It is unbelievably light, looks great and feels incredible on the feet. We've noticed elsewhere around the soccer web, it's being pictured with thick traditional lacing, but on our samples and according to our adi contacts - it does in fact come with sick kevlar lacing. Kevlar is thinner, stronger and most importantly lighter - and in our market a tenth of an ounce matters. We're frankly surprised someone else hasn't come up with the Kevlar lacing before. Lotto has eliminated the laces with their Zhero Gravity, but we haven't seen too many lace innovations on the market.

Also new on the Prime is the single layer synthetic upper. This not only keeps the weight down but also creates a barefoot feel on the ball. Inner TPU support bands add durability and help maintain the shape of this minimalistic boot.

We're also diggin' the bold colors (adidas calls them Warning and Electricity) and the multi-colored studs.

The Prime has us excited about the direction adidas is taking us in the area of innovative, top-of-the-line soccer boots. 2011 is looking like a good year for our game and its gear.

Great soccer art

This poster promoting soccer at the 1924 Paris Olympics (seen Chariots of Fire?) has to be one of the greatest examples of classic soccer art. I love the colors and the brilliant design that intentionally cuts off parts of both players but still gives a sense of motion.

So who won the Olympics that year, you ask? Uruguay. They pretty much dominated the 22-team tournament, crushing Yugoslavia 7-0, USA 3-0, France 5-1,  Holland 2-1 in the semis, and Switzerland 3-0 in the gold medal match. Switzerland won the silver medal while Sweden took home the bronze.

Other than the loss to Uruguay, the US played Estonia in the first round. They won 1-0 on a goal by Scottish-born forward Andy Straden.