Never in the history of soccer has so much been expected from the bodies of athletes.

More games, more tournaments, more travel than ever before tests the limits of the human body.

The Manchester United physio staff plays a key role in pre-season by preparing players to be ready for these increasing challenges.

"The sport breaks them down, and we put them back together," says soft tissue expert and Manchester United massage therapist Gary Armer.

Watch the video and learn what you can do to ensure the physical health of your battered soccer body.

Week one done.

Manchester United coaching staff have set a goal of higher intensity output during matches this season, and that means heavy expectations on endurance during preseason while at the same time integrating the football.

Whether elite professionals or young amateurs, it's the same.
Establish your work ethic from the start.

Week one sets the tone.

Pre-season is where the world's best clubs build the fitness to get through a long and demanding title challenge. And you could win a day's training with Manchester United to launch your own pre-season.

You'll get a guided tour of Old Trafford, watch the team train at their state-of-the-art training ground at Carrington and get put through your paces in your own SPARQ training session, run by Manchester United coaches.

Just enter your details to be in with a chance

In an effort to ensure protection of NCAA and high school eligibility for US athlete participants, Nike must unfortunately cancel the US portion of the Chance contest. The Chance is a global search for talented footballers to join the Nike Academy, a high performance training program supported by the Premier League in England. The program continues to be open to non-US residents globally.

Manchester United are about to invite you inside their pre-season preparations. But they’re also giving you control of the program.

From the Facebook.com/nikesoccer you can choose which players to interview, what to ask them and watch the videos. This is an unrivalled opportunity to find out the inner secrets of one of the world’s most successful clubs and hear direct from their top players.

You could even win a once-in-a-lifetime training day with Man Utd at Carrington.

New Season. New Battle. Go Inside United. Starts 15 July.

Have your say and don't miss a single Write The Future moment. Join the conversation with Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch all the latest videos from Nike Soccer on Youtube.

With the world watching, Andres Iniesta knows he can rely on the support of millions of fans. Last night, Pep Guardiola sent a special message of support for Andres: "Don't look for excuses. Just be yourself.

Have your say and don't miss a single Write The Future moment. Join the conversation with Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch all the latest videos from Nike Soccer on Youtube.

Imagine training with one of the world’s most successful clubs. Imagine hearing insights direct from the world's best players and coaches - all focused on regaining their crown.

At Manchester United a new season means a new battle. And it starts now. For the first time ever, you can see inside the Red Devils' pre-season as players gear up for glory, earn their shirt, and step up to the first team. But this pre-season is different. This pre-season, you're in the team.

Code Red.

Coming soon on NikeSoccer.com

Have your say and don't miss a single Write The Future moment. Join the conversation with Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch all the latest videos from Nike Soccer on Youtube.

Not even the massive east coast heat wave can knock the cool out of the Northeast best soccer clubs, which will compete for bragging rights at the NIKE Cup Finals this Sunday, July 11th, at the famous Met Oval in Brooklyn.

28 teams from four states earned the right to compete in the knockout rounds, and now it comes down to this. Clubs from Philly, Jersey, Long Island, and New York City bring interstate rivalries with unmatched passion and intensity between the finalists. Come out and see the best the region has to offer.

Add in the Nike Players Lounge that will be complete with a gaming station and foosball table, plus the sounds of one of New York City's hottest DJ's, and Sunday promises to be the coolest place to be in the baking Big Apple.

Have your say and don't miss a single Write The Future moment. Join the conversation with Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch all the latest videos from Nike Soccer on Youtube.

In towns and cities across the globe, teams are battling it out for the bragging rights to their home turf and the crown of Nike Cup champion.

In the Czech Republic, teams prepared intensively with two training days, professional coaching sessions and daily speed tests before 2944 players and 368 teams battled it out for cup supremacy.

After eight days of fiercely competitive matches in eight towns across the country, Tango Brno took the Nike City Cup title and earned the right to face off against professional players in four exhibition matches after the event.

In Madrid, 800 players took to the pitch to showcase their skills in front of Barcelona’s Bojan and play for the chance to train with the best coaches in the Nike Camp Pro in Andorra.

After seizing his chance to shine, and impressing throughout the competition, tournament MVP Guillermo Sanchez also earned himself a one year Nike Pro contract.

From Beijing to Bogota, each tournament's style and atmosphere might be unique but the message is the same: put your stamp on your city.

Have your say and don't miss a single Write The Future moment. Join the conversation with Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch all the latest videos from Nike Soccer on Youtube.

Teams came from far and wide to play at the Field of Dreams in Massapequa, NY, but one team in particular stood out. FC Dangeles traveled all the way from Massachusetts to prove that they deserved a place at the Nike Cup NY finals at Met Oval. After a long drive in the morning, it was right into action, but FCD showed no signs of fatigue as they put on a clinic and breezed through the qualifiers and into the finals. A team to keep an eye on in July for sure.

Teams moving on to the finals:

U18 Boys
Brooklyn Patriots
Inglorious Bastards

U18 Girls
East Meadow Diamonds

U15 Boys
FC Dangeles
Nike Select

U15 Girls
Berner Babes
MSC D’Spirit

U13 Boys
LIFC Grey

Have your say and don't miss a single Write The Future moment. Join the conversation with Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch all the latest videos from Nike Soccer on Youtube.

On what would normally be a quiet Saturday in suburban NJ, the NIKE Cup NY brought excitement and energy with qualifying rounds at Players Development Academy, where NJ’s finest made the trip to put their skills to the test.

The PDA’s youth teams had the home field advantage, but the visiting squads were not intimidated. Boca Juniors in the U18 boys group and Mufasa in the U15 boys group both played well. All the teams fought hard but only a few proved they had the skill and advanced to what will certainly be a memorable final at Met Oval later this month.

Teams moving on to the finals:

U18 Boys
Boca Juniors

U18 Girls
PDA Fire

U15 Boys
PDA Shabalala
Mufasa

U13 Boys
Gremio

Have your say and don't miss a single Write The Future moment. Join the conversation with Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch all the latest videos from Nike Soccer on Youtube.

The Nike Cup LA qualifiers, held this June, now hold the title of largest 5v5 futsal tournament in Los Angeles. The event featured pinnacle clubs, high schools & ligas competing from all over Southern California.

Teams battled over 2 weekends in 3 qualifying tournaments. Top clubs from the Valley all the way down to San Diego excelled, but some of the top performers in the tournament hailed from the small-sided leagues of urban Los Angeles.

It's the US v Mexico. It's the best youth players in SoCal. Four teams. One title. Who will reign over LA? Join us for the Nike Cup LA finals at Nokia Plaza.

Inside The Pro presents the stories of six USMNT athletes rising up to Write The Future with the world's elite.

Born in Scotland and raised in America, it's been a global education for Stuart Holden on the soccer pitch. He recently returned to the UK, to the town of Bolton, where next season he'll put into action everything that he has learned.

Watch the video, get Inside The Pro with Stuart Holden, and learn what it takes to compete at the top.

Write The Future

Have your say and don't miss a single Write The Future moment. Join the conversation with Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch all the latest videos from Nike Soccer on Youtube.

You need to get noticed to get scouted and we want to see the training and dedication that goes into your game.

Got a signature move? A killer free-kick? We want to see it.

Film your skills; give us your background info and get your mates on board.

Fans will get you on our radar; talent will get you into the Academy. Do what it takes to get noticed.

Haven't registered? It's not too late.