Nikesoccer

Grit and Grind

Gronamo — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:05:51 GMT

For the US MNT, no game in Central America is ever a walk in the park. And we definitely had our hands full against Guatemala in our World Cup qualifier.

In Guatemala City's Estadio Mario Flores, the noisiest crowd to watch Guatemala play in years gathered 25,000 strong to remind the US MNT that they hadn't won in Guatemala in two decades. Our boys definitely felt the hostility from the get go.

And that's what made the victory so fitting. On a day that saw forty fouls and two ejections, it wasn't necessarily elevated play, but old-fashioned grit and heart that made the difference.

When a second yellow card led to a US ejection, it looked like the Guatemalan pressure would overwhelm us. Then, out of nowhere, Beas to the rescue. After drawing a foul for a free kick in a dangerous spot, Landon played a beautiful ball into the middle of the box, which Gooch put a head on to force the best save of the day from the Guatemalan keeper.

Taking the ensuing corner, DaMarcus didn't hesitate to provide a top-notch ball straight to Bocanegra's head. ‘Los finished far post and the American defense, led by Tim Howard, held on with stellar play for the win. The road to South Africa continues in Havana, Cuba September 6 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN Classic.

One step closer to the cup.

Landon Celebrates 100

Gronamo — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:47:54 GMT

No, we're not talking birthday candles. Against Argentina last Sunday, at the ripe old age of 26, Landon Donovan sprinted to his 100th cap for the US MNT. Along the way to becoming the fourth-youngest player in world soccer history to reach the century mark, Landon's scored more goals (35) than anyone else in men's national team history. And, he's helped carry American soccer, internationally and domestically, to a place it's never been before.

From Gold Cups to World Cups, border battles to friendlies, Landon's served as an ambassador of the game, a captain for our senior team and, as we saw against Argentina, a difference maker when he's on the pitch. Unlike most players with 100 international appearances, we can celebrate his achievements with the knowledge that, barring the exceptional, he'll be around for 2010 and beyond.

Congrats Landon. Here's to 200!

Nil-Nil with #1 is Next Level

Gronamo — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:34:20 GMT

Don't get us wrong, tying the number one team in the world is not good enough. But, it is a huge step in the right direction.

Through blazing heat, driving rain, thunder and lightning the U.S. MNT matched Argentina stride for stride

Spearheading our attack was Landon Donovan, who celebrated his 100th cap with a passionate performance that set the tone for the team. And the boys responded, as they were clearly relishing the chance to play on American soil. But with a swarm of baby blue washing through Giants Stadium, there was little in the way of home-field advantage.

"We need these sorts of games," said Michael Bradley. "This was our third game against a tough opponent in a hostile environment, and we competed hard and at the end of the day we can only get better by playing these sorts of matches."

Tim Howard walked away with the Man of the Match award for his stellar work between the posts, blocking everything the Argentineans threw at him. And, Freddy looked impressive again, linking up well with EJ to add some punch to the U.S. attack in the second-half.

A huge shout-out to Sam's Army and the American Outlaws, who got the party started at the Nike Snake Pit pre-game rally. We couldn't have done it without you. And another shout-out to the nearly 79,000 fans who packed Giants Stadium and made this a night to truly remember.

Now we just need to carry this momentum into our World Cup qualifier with Barbados on June 15th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

Test the Best

Gronamo — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:08:31 GMT

To know exactly how good you are, you have to test yourself against the best. And that's just what the U.S. MNT is doing this Sunday when they take on the world's number one ranked team, Argentina.

The match kicks off at Giants Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET, and will be the final game of an extremely difficult three game series.

Against England and Spain, the U.S. faced two of the most potent offenses in the world. And, although they lost, the defensive play of Bocanegra and Onyewu has been solid - keeping both Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres off the score sheet.

But against Argentina, the US backline will have to be flawless. And, Michael Bradley will have to be relentless in the midfield, disrupting the flow of play for the Argentineans.

If we can keep our discipline on defense, then we'll be looking to the inspired play of Freddy Adu to add that audacious spark going forward. Adu looked confident and capable against the Spanish on Wednesday, and we'll need him to link up with Dempsey, Beasley, EJ and Landon (if he's healthy) in the attacking third.

Taking on three of soccer's best was never going to be an easy task, but it's a challenge that can only make us stronger in the long run. When all is said and done, these are the types of friendlies we need to be playing; these are the matches that will prepare us for 2010.

Taking on the world's best is Next Level.

Welcome to Wembley

Gronamo — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:28:38 GMT

The newly reconstructed Wembley Stadium in London, England is one of soccer's most revered venues. And, this Wednesday it will play host to our MNT, as the boys in red, white and blue face-off against a formidable England squad.

Can't make the trip to Wembley? Don't worry, just make sure you get ESPN Classic before the 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

With friendlies against Spain and Argentina, not to mention a World Cup qualifier against Barbados, following shortly after, the England match should be a great measuring stick for the U.S.

And, speaking of measuring sticks, here's one for you: 100 caps.

That's how many Landon Donovan will have earned at the ripe old age of 26 if he features in the match, as he's supposed to, making him the fourth-youngest player in world history to reach the century mark. He'll need all his experience, as he could be going up against a certain L.A. celebrity teammate, who's also got 100 caps.

Another wily, "old" veteran could start out wide for the U.S., as DaMarcus Beasley celebrated his 26th birthday - and full recovery from a knee injury - by helping Rangers win the Scottish Cup. Add to that the fact that Clint, Carlos, EJ and T. Howard will all be playing in their home away from home, and it should be easy for the team to show the true spirit of Don't Tread On Me.

No matter who's on the pitch come game time, one thing's for sure: USA vs. England at Wembley is Next Level!

Set-Pieces Set U.S. Apart

gabejazzy — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:50:30 GMT

The US MNT's 3-0 win over Poland was one of the best looking performances this team has ever put in, and that's not only because of the new away jerseys. In front of a raucous, sellout crowd, against a European Championship-caliber team, the U.S. dominated for nearly 90 minutes. Flat out.

This has probably been the best off-season US Soccer has ever put together.

‘Los and Gooch came up huge with powerfully headed goals off of two supremely well served Donovan set-pieces. In the midfield, Mike Bradley and Ricardo Clark were rock solid. Whenever Howard was tested, he made his saves look easy and rightfully earned himself another shutout.

Top to bottom, inch by inch, this was the type of performance that could crack Coach Bradley's determined look into a smile. Yes, it was just a friendly, but you better believe other international programs will take notice.

Here's an encouraging fact from du Nord found on USsoccer.com:

"Since last year and prior to the USA's first World Cup qualifier this summer (June 15), the U.S. will have faced four teams ranked in the top 10 in the world: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Spain. All together, the team will have played 23 games, competed in two major international tournaments, captured the Gold Cup title, and traveled to seven different countries. Not bad for World Cup qualifying preparation."

This has probably been the best off-season US Soccer has ever put together. Bring on England!

And, adding icing to the cake, it looks as though we might have one of our boys back in action sooner than expected.

Also, enjoying fine performances on this past international friendly date were Franck Rib�ry and Alexandre Pato, netting for France and Brazil in their respective victories.

Preparing for Poland and Beyond

gabejazzy — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:23:23 GMT

While European clubs take a quick breath before the season’s homeward sprint, the Americans called in by Coach Bradley for Wednesday’s US MNT friendly versus Poland will need to reenergize themselves on the run, as they face a tough Poland side in Krakow (FSC 3:30pm EST). The roster is composed of a senior squad, with all the big guns: Tim Howard, Gooch, ‘Los, Benny, Clint, Eddie Johnson, etc. No real surprises. Landon and Ricardo Clark flew over from the States too, and should look fresh given that they’re coming from pre-season training camps. Helping the entire squad look fresh is the fact that they’ll be sporting their brand new away kit. Hopefully the new uniform will have as positive a debut as the home kit did against Mexico.

This fixture is great preparation for this summer’s host of qualification matches. Poland is a solid team by all accounts, and with nothing to lose, don’t expect either team to pack defenders behind the ball and play cautiously. This is a chance for players to get a run in without the intense pressure of point standings, relegation or European qualification demands looming overhead.

Also, the short training camp and match will be an opportunity to catch up on the progress players have been making over the winter. It’s been a mixed bag overall, but there’s a lot for Bradley to feel good about.

Starting with his son – Mike struck for two more goals over the weekend, pushing his season tally up to fifteen and helping Heerenveen in a crazy come-from-behind win over Roda. Check the highlights. He’s not in a bad situation at all over there in the Netherlands (talented team, great fan base), but now it looks as though he’s got his sights set for a summer transfer.

If there’s been a U.S. teammate able to keep pace with Mike, it’s Tim Howard. Howard, of course, already starts for one of the top sides in England, but he’s never stopped focusing on personal development. And now he’s taken his game to a truly world-class level. Case in point: Saturday’s Everton match against West Ham. In addition to a few incredible saves and controlling box-play throughout the match, Howard is now a candidate for “Save of the Year” after he volleyed a redirected free kick out of the goal at the end of the first-half (video). Think keepers can forget about footwork? Think again.

Wondering about the lineup? Potential formations? Read SoccerByIves – he’s probably got the most entertaining message board. To see US MNT training in action, head over to the MNT Blog, put together by USsoccer.com.

For those of you on spring break here are some more of the big matches for this international friendly date. Sit back, relax and enjoy the action as National Teams from around the globe look to put the final polish on their squads before this summer's European Championship and qualifications for South Africa.

England v France
Brazil v Sweden
Italy v Spain
Netherlands v Austria
Germany v Switzerland
Portugal v Greece
Croatia v Scotland
Czech Republic v Denmark
Australia v China
S. Korea v Korea DPR

Inside The Lab: Mercurial Vapor IV

mickey_pickles — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:45:19 GMT

True innovation comes from true insight. And, for the research and design team behind one of the most innovative boots to ever grace the pitch, there's no truer insight than this: Short, ten meter bursts of acceleration are the single most frequent action in football.

So, how can the Mercurial Vapor IV maximize acceleration? Well, that's what we intend to find out, as 365 takes you "Inside The Lab."

Come with us as we pull back the curtain to expose Nike's most elaborate and ground-breaking efforts in the department of SPEED.

"The research process on the Mercurial line, for me, is synonymous with research on speed," says Senior Nike Researcher, Erez Morag. "It was clear that the game is changing and becoming faster; therefore, the importance of speed has increased with those changes in the game."

It's no secret that lighter boots equal faster feet. So that's where Nike's football footwear team started. They deconstructed the art of speed and broke the Mercurial down into each of its separate components and analyzed every aspect of the cleat; if it could be paired down, it was.

An anatomically contoured speed last was developed to shave off some grams, while providing better fit and stability. A revolutionary new lightweight synthetic upper, called Teijin, was utilized to conform to every curve of the foot. And, topping it all off is the lace shroud, which aims to reduce drag, while providing a smooth playing surface.

One of the biggest boosts to acceleration is the use of an asymmetric traction system, which is designed to more fully align with the principles of foot structure and function. Also helping acceleration is a carbon fiber heel counter, which stabilizes the boot at high speeds, while pods strategically placed in the heel reduce unnecessary movement of the foot within the shoe.

Depending upon which color you choose, orange or black, either a carbon fiber or glass-fiber internal chassis gives the shoe tremendous structural strength.

"In the end, we wanted to create some of the lightest boots on the pitch," says Tom Minami, Nike Soccer Footwear Designer. "And, we wanted to provide the fastest players with a weapon that is technically advanced and aesthetically disruptive."

What the soccer footwear team created is the ultimate lightweight performance beast that eats up split-seconds and spits out goals.

And, speaking of goals, this past weekend was the fifty-day anniversary of the new Mercurial Vapor IV. So far, between the European players - Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Ribery, Robinho and Alexandre Pato - the Mercs have been responsible for 28 goals in 37 appearances. And, that's not even counting the goals Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey have hammered home.

CR7 has taken to the boots like gasoline to fire, recently going on a tear of 10 goals in 7 appearances and leading Manchester United's charge as they remain threats for the treble of the EPL title, Champs League and the FA Cup.

At Nike, the story of innovation never rests, never stops and never looks back. Today the MVIV weighs in at 230 grams, and the featherweight Mercurial SL tips the scales at 190 grams. Tomorrow's Vapor V? Well, just keep checking back here, and you'll know as soon as we do.

Border Battle

gabejazzy — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:44:28 GMT

Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX was a sea of green, parted by sections of red, white and blue. But no matter their allegiances, the 71,000-plus fans were treated to a stunning match.

As the US MNT took to the field they were greeted by a chorus of whistles and catcalls, but for Clint Dempsey it was just another day at the office.

"Mexico is our toughest rival in CONCACAF, and it's always a good game. Obviously, there are going to be more Hispanic fans in the stadium, but the good thing is that people are supporting soccer. In these types of games there's a lot on the line, and everybody wants to shut the other team up."

Sporting their new team kit, the US jumped in front midway through the first-half when the always-threatening Landon Donovan sent a ball across the box, where Gooch rose above everyone to smash a header into the netting on the far post.

"It's been a couple of games since I scored a goal," said the imposing US defender. "So, to do it against Mexico, a team which is always a difficult game for us, it makes it all the better."

The team's elation was short-lived, though, as the tri-colors came storming back to equalize five minutes later. However, the US broke the deadlock once again, as they asserted their dominance in the air with another lethal header in the 40th minute to go 2-1 up.

The first-half reached its climax in the waning moments when the ever-dangerous Dempsey settled the ball and brushed by three would-be defenders and slotted the ball past the Mexican keeper for a commanding 3-1 lead. But, much to the chagrin of the US team and their supporters, the goal was called back for offside.

This proved to be a pivotal call in the game, as the Mexican side came out blazing in the second-half and tied the game at two apiece in the 47th minute. The score line remained the same for the rest of the match, with neither team giving an inch across the entire pitch.

Second-half subs, Freddy Adu and Benny Feilhaber, made their presence known with great energy and skill throughout the park. But, after the full ninety, the two evenly matched teams ended in a stalemate 2-2.

Though the guys are never happy with less than a W, the man between the posts, Tim Howard, had this to say, "We were disappointed to have had the lead twice and let it go, which is very unlike us. But, there are positives to take away from this, like the fact that we kept our streak of unbeaten matches alive."

We here at 365 want to give a huge shout out to all the fans that made it out to the game in Houston, especially the ones who stopped by the Snake Pit and helped take it to the next level. We also want to give special thanks to all of you from Sam's Army and American Outlaws - your spirit and enthusiasm were truly contagious.

As we close the chapter on another Border Battle, it's hard not to think "what if?" What if we had tightened up the D after our two goals? What if we could have found another moment of inspiration in the dying minutes? What if Clint's goal had stood?

But, the levelheaded Dempsey summed it up best after the match when he said, "That's the way it goes sometimes. It is what it is, and all you can do is keep on keeping on. But, I felt like the team played well tonight and that's important for our confidence."

Don't Tread On Me

gabejazzy — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:26:21 GMT

For too long the US MNT has been overlooked, underestimated
and unappreciated. It’s time for America to wake up and recognize
the US MNT.

Get ‘Em While They're Hot

mickey_pickles — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:27:59 GMT

The boots that have been lighting up CR7's feet as he lights up the league are now available to the rest of us. That's right, the Mercurial Vapor IVs dropped today. So, we here at 365 are understandably excited, because the Mercs have already proven their golden touch in front of goal.

Offensive combustibility is clearly an issue here. Nobody light a match.

Nike's newest gift to the game comes on the heels of the Vapor IV SLs, a concept design that single-handedly erased and redrew the boundaries of cleat technology. Drawing from that same technology, we now put in your hands...or rather, on your feet...the Merc IVs, which weigh in at an ethereal 230 grams, making them some of the lightest boots on the market.

The fibre-composite sole, patented Vapor traction system, streamlined lace-cover tongue top and lateral heel pods, also mean it's one of the most comfortable and dynamic. Strong, light and packed with innovation, the Vapor IVs strike fear into opponents and then leave them helpless with nothing to do but watch the goals pile up.

So far so good. In addition to Cristiano, Deuce has been rockin' Vapor IVs all month long as Fulham's leading scorer and you'll see them on Landon when he tries to add to his all-time goal-scoring record as the US MNT faces Mexico next week.

The Anatomy Of An Assassin

gabejazzy — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:29:35 GMT

To get better you have to learn from the best. You have to surround yourself with people who live and breathe soccer; people who wake up with an eye for goal and go to sleep dreaming of the ball in the back of the net.

So, with no further ado, we introduce the greatest goal-scorer in US Men's National Team history - Landon Donovan. At just twenty-five years of age he's already stamped his name in the record books with 35 international tallies. Between breaking down defenses and training for his next match against Mexico, Landon took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with 365.

"My biggest pet peeve with youth soccer in America is that they treat finishing as a privilege - something to do at the end of practice as a reward."

So get your pen and paper and take some notes from the assassin himself, as he opens up about shattering records and, more importantly, what you can do to follow in his footsteps.

Now that you've had some time to process the game against Sweden, what is the significance for you on setting the US MNT all-time goal-scoring record?
I don't classify the record as significant, but I'm certainly proud of it. I think when I look back at it in a few years that's when it will set in and I'll be very proud.

What's your most memorable goal out of the 35?
The one that comes to mind first is the goal I scored against Mexico in 2002, because it was in a World Cup and it helped us get through to the quarterfinals. So it will always be high on my list. My goal in the 2000 Olympics was another huge one for me. And, as far as the best goal I've ever scored, the one I scored against Ecuador was definitely one of my all-time best - I'm talking about the last goal I scored that game.

What do you do in your training to emphasize finishing and being lethal in the final third?
We train on finishing all the time as a team, but for myself there's a drill I do before games to get myself in the right mindset. The day before a game I'll practice receiving a ball from all different angles with my back to goal and then turn and finish. I don't do it for too long, but long enough to get my mind focused and my body sharp.

How important do you think it is for club kids in the U.S. to work on finishing?
It's massive. My biggest pet peeve with youth soccer in America is that they treat finishing as a privilege - something to do at the end of practice as a reward. The kids in the rest of the world, in Europe and South America, work on finishing all the time. So when I do camps, I always work on scoring with the kids and try to emphasize just how important it is to finish.

Saturday was your first game in the new Mercurial Vapor IVs. How did they perform?
They felt great. You know whenever you come into the first camp of the year your feet haven't been in boots for a little while, so it can take some time to get used to them. But, in the first two or three days I broke them in, and by the time I played with them in the game they were very comfortable and soft, and, of course, looked amazing.

What are you focusing on now as an individual player and as far as the team goes?
What I focus on when I go into any game is being aggressive. When I'm not aggressive in a game, I'm not at my best. So if I go into a game focusing on being aggressive that's when I play my best and have the best chance of scoring.

As for the team, this is a big year. We've got a lot of young guys in the team, and even a lot of our veterans haven't been through a full World Cup qualifying cycle. So this is a very big year for us. There's definitely going to be a learning curve, but hopefully it's not a massive one. But overall, I'm very confident in the squad we've got right now.

The Weekend In Review

gabejazzy — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:33:14 GMT

The ball never stops and neither does the sensational soccer action. Here’s a look at what went down over the last few days. Feed your football craving with a quick dose of the beautiful game.

Man U’s deadly strike force of Ronaldo and Rooney came through with two late goals to save their team from an embarrassing tie against Reading. The duo’s performance got Sir Alex understandably excited and he wasn’t afraid to show it, as he was a boisterous presence on the Red Devil’s sideline all game long. The win keeps United level with Arsenal on top of the Premiership table.

Today, Arsenal paid the price for fielding a young side in their Carling Cup match against Tottenham, as the Spurs beat the Gunners to book their place in the final. Aaron Lennon was lethal all game long with a goal and an assist to his name.

Over on the continent, Ibrahimovic threw Inter a late lifeline when he rescued his team with two goals to seal a 3-2 victory over Parma. The Parma fans were none too pleased about the call that set up the tying PK, but they could have no objections to Ibra’s second that sealed the win.

Those Stateside know all about Landon Donovan’s monumental weekend. The US striker calmly slotted a second-half PK to break the all-time US MNT scoring record with 35 goals. Not bad for a 25 year old. Here’s to another 35!

Donovan Does It

gabejazzy — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:22:13 GMT

When Landon laced up his magical Mercs for Saturday's match he was tied for the most international goals by a U.S. player with 34. When he unlaced them after the 2-0 victory against Sweden, he stood alone in the history books with 35. Big ups to the most lethal striker this land has ever known.

But, the levelheaded Donovan kept it all in perspective.

"I wouldn't classify it as important but it's something that I'm very proud of," said the striker. "More so than scoring goals, being part of the team for a long time is something I'm proud of. For me, the most important part of any game is helping the team get a victory."

Landon and the rest of the guys will now set their sights on February 6th, when they take on archrivals Mexico in Houston.

Don't let ‘em tread boys!

And, this just in, the Women's National Team bested China 1-0 to take home the title at the 2008 Four Nations Tournament. That's the perfect end to a weekend of dominance. Well done!

Encore Performance

gabejazzy — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:33:37 GMT

The Mercurial IVs are back in action this weekend and are poised to match their head-turning debut. Those of you in the States will get your first taste of the fiery orange boots when Landon laces them up for the US MNT match against Sweden on Saturday. He'll be hunting for the all-time goal-scoring record, so we figured it's only appropriate that he dress in style.

Meanwhile, the other half of US Soccer continues making moves at the Four Nations Cup and will look for a win or a tie against China on Sunday to take home the tournament. And, with Tarp's four goals in the last two games, offense doesn't look like it'll be a problem.

In England, the top three sides - Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea - are all in action this Saturday. Man U's got Reading on tap and will be looking to extend its winning ways. We don't even need to mention that guy named Cristiano. Except to say he had three last week, and will be hungry for more. Arsenal is away at Fulham for a match that might be closer than expected. Both teams have something to fight for since Fulham is currently in the relegation zone. Both are also missing important players due to the Africa Cup of Nations (Drogba's there too). Deuce will be strapping on the Mercs to add to his team-leading goal count, but Bocanegra may still need time to recover from an eye injury sustained last weekend.

In Italy, Ibra and Inter will look to extend their lead atop the Serie A when they face Parma. AC Milan's new intergenerational Brazilian strike force of Pato and Ronaldo will also be in action against Udinese.

Free your schedule ‘cause a lots going down and the Mercurials are blowing up.