Nikesoccer

Back From The Brink

DonJulio — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:10:13 GMT

They've done it.

They made it tough for themselves in qualifying, but last night Portugal showed every ounce of their fighting spirit to book a place in next summer's finals.

The confidence, desire and determination of the 2006 semi-finalists proved decisive as they scored in the second half to make it 2-0 on aggregate.

No way back for Bosnia. No stopping Portugal. Next stop South Africa.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

All Eyes On The Captains

DonJulio — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:39:21 GMT

A captain does more than lead a team. They're more than the coach on the field.

They are the personification of the team, the heart and soul that drives the greater being.

On Sunday when Los Angeles and Salt Lake collide for the league championship, two captains will take their teams to the brink of history.

Will it be Landon Donovan, the 2009 award magnet looking to add more hardware?

Or will Kyle Beckerman control the middle of the field and find the first trophy for his club?

If either of these captains can take over the game, their team is likely to hoist the cup.

Soccer is not a one-man game, but one man can make the difference.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

Last Will Be First

DonJulio — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:32:22 GMT

It's over. 32 national teams have made it to South Africa; Uruguay included.

Drawing 1-1 against Costa Rica in a packed Centenario was enough for the 'Celeste' to celebrate.

They will be back in football's most prestigious tournament.

Diego Pérez, 'garra charrúa' at its best, is ready to make the difference in Africa.

The countdown starts now.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

90 minutes from South Africa

DonJulio — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:16:54 GMT

Almost four years of sacrifice and struggle will end in a final game, a last battle to be played in a truly iconic football temple.

The Centenario stadium will witness Uruguay's qualification to South Africa or Costa Rican heroics.

It's time to make the difference and Nicolás Lodeiro knows it well.

4,895 miles separate Montevideo and Johannesburg. On Wednesday they will only be 90 minutes away from each other.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

Vote For Your Pro Combat Player Of The Week

DonJulio — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:56:44 GMT

The best come ready for battle. But who battled best this week?

It's not about scoring goals. It's about total match performance. It's about covering the most ground, winning every 50/50 ball. It's all the intangibles that don't show up on the score sheet but in the end turn the game for your team.

That's a Pro Combat Player, and now it's again your turn to tell us who is the Pro Combat Player of the Week.

Each Monday we'll select three players who personified what it means to be a Pro Combat Player from the weekend, and then you tell us who you thought came best prepared for battle.

To vote, reply to @nikesoccer at Twitter with your vote and the hashtag filter #procombat. We'll announce the week's winner each Wednesday.

This week, with nearly every club and league on break for international fixtures, we turn to the national teams to find our warriors. Here's the three we've selected who exemplified what it means to be a Pro Combat Player. Now you tell us which battled the best.

Thiago Silva - Brazil
The man of the match against England, Silva locked down the backline, thwarting any challenge that came his way. His ability to get into the offensive third made him the quintessential end-to-end player and earned him the highest player rating in the game.

Lassana Diarra - France
With a trip to South Africa still up for grabs for Les Blues, and leading Ireland 1-0, Diarra needed to control the midfield, and did with relentless precision, strength, and mental will. As the 2nd half continued, Diarra got stronger, the immovable object in the center of the field. In what was not the prettiest display of team soccer, Diarra kept his team in line for not just the victory, but one of the final European tickets to the finals.

Chris Killen - New Zealand
An early laser at goal told everyone Killen came to play, a game with nothing less than a trip to South Africa in the balance. His work rate matched the game's drama, causing havoc for defenders trying to do anything but launch a ball out of bounds. If not for Killen, the Kiwis would be staying home next summer. But now they will represent their country for the first time ever in the finals.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

More Than Just Eleven Men

DonJulio — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:20:38 GMT

Portugal took the first step. With the players under extreme pressure, they defended and scored the first goal.

End of the first 90 minutes. But to win a 180 minute match, that isn’t enough.

In the second round, Bosnia will not just be facing Portugal's 11 best players. It will have to beat the strength of 10 million defenders, the pressure of 10 million midfielders and the scoring instinct of 10 million strikers.

Bosnia will jump into the field with 11 warriors. Portugal, with one single spirit. An indestructible spirit.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about Portugal on their team page.

10 Men Make The Difference

DonJulio — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:08:55 GMT

Winning was critical for the Socceroos, playing a tough Oman opposition in front of an unforgiving away crowd.

Early blows in the form of a red card and a goal by Oman meant there were two options: give in or step up.

Australia played the only way they know how - tough and determined. Step up they did.

With a man and a goal down the Socceroos pulled together to respond with 75 minutes of herculean effort. No surrender.

In the end it was Luke Wilkshire and Brett Emerton who scored the crucial goals to make the difference.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

A New Beginning

DonJulio — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:25:20 GMT

Qualification accomplished but all the questions have not been answered.

There is still time and plenty to prove for many of the USMNT players.

Taking on Slovakia on Saturday and Denmark on Wednesday, the final two games of 2009 come against quality European opponents also heading to South Africa. That is no coincidence.

European veterans Clint Dempsey and Carlos Bocanegra anchor a squad of young guns like Benny Feilhaber, Robbie Rogers, and Jonathan Bornstein as the USMNT looks to close the year by starting anew.

These are the first steps for the team toward South Africa but one of the last chances for players to solidify their spot on this summer's squad.

Who will make a case?

Let us know who you think makes the difference this week.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about the USMNT at their team page.

Now Or Never

DonJulio — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:17:32 GMT

A ticket to South Africa is worth giving your life on the pitch for 180 minutes.

Costa Rica and Uruguay know it, and tomorrow they will be playing for one of the last available tickets.

'Cebolla' Rodríguez is ready to make the difference for his side, but Costa Ricans have the last word.

The chance that the Ticos and Charruas have been waiting for is here.

South Africa - so far away but so close.

The Moment You Train For

DonJulio — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:38:10 GMT

Lassana Diarra is used to defying the odds. Not the tallest, the fastest, or the strongest, he's carved a role for himself in Les Blues midfield from sheer determination and committed training.

If he gets his chance to show what he can do against the Irish, every second of his preparation will be tested. There's a spot in South Africa at stake.

Watch the video to see Lassana in training.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

Time for Iniesta

DonJulio — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:23 GMT

He couldn’t help the national team in the last competition, but now he’s ready to put on his boots again for Spain and show everyone that when a great player returns, his comeback is great as well.

The next match against Argentina is no friendly for Iniesta. Playing against another favorite for South African success is the perfect opportunity to fire a warning. For Iniesta South Africa is already here.

Time to make the difference. Time for Iniesta.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

All On The Line

DonJulio — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:58:59 GMT

After a tough qualifying campaign, Portugal have the chance to book their spot in South Africa. Now is the time to step up and make the difference.

But Bosnia stand in their way. Win and the 2006 semi-finalists get a crack at world glory in 2010. Lose and they get a summer of pain.

Will Portugal make it through and give the reigning World Player of the Year the chance to perform on the game's biggest stage?

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about Portugal at their team page.

Teammates Go Head to Head

DonJulio — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:39:07 GMT

One game for a spot in the finals. Two teammates going head to head.

An attacking midfielder versus a defensive midfielder. It's the match up that often can determine not just the flow of the game but the outcome as well.

On Friday night USMNT stars Landon Donovan and Ricardo Clark will face each other as their teams battle for a spot in the league finals next weekend in Seattle.

Even if Landon starts out on the flanks his darting runs will no doubt threaten Ricardo's ability to control the top of the box. But Donovan will have to be alert and track back when Clark starts the counter attack or looks to lace a long range laser at goal.

It's Landon's speed versus Ricardo's strength. Who will make the difference? Who will get to the finals?

We've given you the set up, now tell us what's your prediction?

On Twitter, reply to @nikesoccer with the hashtag filter #head2head.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about the USMNT at their team page.

Pro Combat Player Of The Week

DonJulio — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:27:42 GMT

The best come ready for battle. But who battled best this week?

It's not about scoring goals. It's about total match performance. It's about running all over the field, winning every 50/50 ball. It's all the intangibles that don't show up on the score sheet but in the end turn the game for your team.

That's a Pro Combat Player, and now it's your turn to tell us who is the first Pro Combat Player of the Week.

Each Monday we'll select three players who personified what it means to be a Pro Combat Player from the weekend, and then you tell us who you thought came best prepared for battle.

To vote, reply to @nikesoccer at Twitter with your vote and the hashtag filter #procombat. We'll announce the winner on Wednesday.

Mesut Ozil - Werder Bremen
The one they call Little Diego, because his feet are so fleet, made a difficult volley appear passe, netting Werder Bremen's only goal in a hard fought draw. But that's just the scoresheet. Mesut had more chances and nearly delivered a hat trick. He didn't fret when defenses rose up to turn him away; Ozil pushed on, fighting to the final whistle.

Wayne Rooney - Manchester United
His team lost, but he was everywhere, the immovable object in constant motion. He tracked back on defense and was a constant threat on attack. Wherever Rooney was on Sunday, he was causing problems. The pitbull of a striker isn't pushed around, even in a loss.

Clint Dempsey - Fulham FC
By drawing a penalty and slotting it home the from the mark, Clint Dempsey scored his third goal in as many weeks by displaying the hard edge and non-stop motor that helped him rise from a tiny town in Texas to the bright lights of London. His effort throughout propelled him to the highest match rating with 8.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

Three For Three

DonJulio — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:12:05 GMT

3 games. 3 goals. The highest player rating on the field.

Clint Dempsey is making the difference for Fulham with a blazing show of form.

It's shaping up as the best season yet for the 26-year-old attacker.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about Clint Dempsey at his player page.