Nikesoccer

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.

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.

Now It Matters

DonJulio — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:43:22 GMT

Two Teams. Two national team stars. One City.

The only Super Clasico in the U.S. never quite deserved the honor of that title.

That changes Sunday when USMNT stars Landon Donovan and Jonathan Bornstein go head to head in the most meaningful derby in the nation's history.

It's offense versus defense, the player of the year versus the Honduran Hero battling for the same ball.

Two games. Two chances to make the difference.

Who owns this city, and who moves on in the playoffs?

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

Seattle In His Sights

DonJulio — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:58:29 GMT

One game to complete what looked impossible a year ago.

One game to go from last place to conference champion.

One game to make the difference.

Closing out the regular season on Saturday night, Landon Donovan led Los Angeles to the top of the western conference table by providing both goals--a composed slotted finish past the keeper and a deflected own goal--in a 2-0 shutout of San Jose.

After the game Landon was named LA's 2009 MVP. The year is closing up nicely for the American standout, but there is one trophy still to be claimed.

Bring on the playoffs.

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

Make It Six

DonJulio — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:24:55 GMT

1 year. 15 games for his country.

5 goals, 10 assists.

Of the USMNT's 19 qualifying goals, he scored or assisted on 12.

Now, who do you think took home player of the year?

Those stats alone could warrant the award, but Landon Donovan's leadership and total control on the field certainly sealed it.

On Tuesday, the 27-year-old won his third straight and record-breaking sixth U.S. player of the year award. He was also named the player of the decade.

Finishing what may be the best year of his career, you have to wonder what he'll come up with in 2010.

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

Ticket Punched

adamspangler — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:16:01 GMT

To qualify for South Africa Saturday night the USMNT needed the full 3 points.

Down 1-0 to Honduras in the 55th minute, it was going to take an effort for the ages, and that's exactly what they gave.

Landon Donovan donned his CTR360s and supplied the game-winner, extending his national team scoring record with an upper 90 curling free kick.

But it would be all for naught without Tim Howard, who provided what seemed like a season's worth of saves to keep Honduras at bay.

Qualified. Mark it down for the sixth consecutive time.

Summer safari booked. See you in South Africa.

Landon, CTR360 Playoff Bound

adamspangler — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:12:38 GMT

In his first game wearing the new CTR360 boots, Landon Donovan scored the night's only goal in a crucial late-season clash with Chicago.

The Los Angeles captain coupled great speed and total control to get on the end of a long through ball sent in from the defensive half. Donovan collected the ball all alone in the offensive third as a falling defender was unable to keep up with him and with one touch from the top of the penalty box perfectly lifted the ball over the keeper.

But total control means more than goals, just like in Donovan's overall game. There is no more complete player in America. His touch was razor sharp all night. Nearly every ball springing from the new boots threatened the defense. The goal was Donovan's 11th, but it was his game-long and season-long leadership that sends LA through to the playoffs.

Donovan now takes his total control and CTR360s to Honduras where the USMNT will try to clinch their place in South Africa.

Landon's New Weapon

adamspangler — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:55:03 GMT

Control is Everything. In the next two weeks Landon Donovan has two chances to tighten his grip on the game, the playoffs, the world, and he'll attack them all with a new weapon: the CTR360.

Before the USMNT gets its first chance to seal a return to South Africa in 2010 with a victory over Honduras next week, Landon steps onto the field tonight in a crucial late-season league game (ESPN2, 8pm PST), for the first time in the new CTR360 boot, designed specifically for his game--the midfield maestro.

As with Landon's game, the CTR360 does a lot of things well. The outsole is built to maximize a player's ability to trap and control the ball; the upper is refined at key contact points for receiving and distributing the ball. The new synthetic fabric, Kanga-Lite, feels like soft leather but maintains shape in any weather without soaking up water. Wherever Landon starts, stops, turns, and then breaks away, the CTR 360 helps him to bring the ball along with him.

Confident in the boot's control, freeing his eyes to look forward, Landon now has extra time to find passing lanes, darting teammates, or a chance at the goal. America's best just got better.

The Pledge

DonJulio — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:38:16 GMT

You are on the brink of greatness. For a game here and a game there, everyone knows your name. For a day, maybe a week, opponents respect you.

But.

What is going to take you from eliciting temporary recognition to inspiring permanent fear?

To be that team nobody wants to see on the schedule, nobody wants to face in the first round?

What inside your body and mind will get you not just out of the group but to the top of the table?

What will you tell yourself over and over again to make sure you are not just a team in a tournament but the heroes of the summer?

Respect Is Not Enough.

First To Training. Last To leave.

Cover Every Blade Of Grass.

Control Is Everything.

Never Give It Away.

Be Every Opponent's Nightmare.

This is their pledge. What's yours?

Submit your pledge on Twitter by replying to @nikesoccer using the hashtag filter #MTDpledge.

example: "Joining @nikesoccer I pledge to lock down strikers and never give up a PK this year. #MTDpledge"

To find ideas and responses, search Twitter for #MTDpledge to see what everyone else is doing to make the difference this season.

One Strike Closer

socshep18 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:30:28 GMT

Nothing comes easy in international soccer, not the least of which victories away from home. But in what was a tentative 90 minutes of soccer in Port of Spain, the USMNT pulled out a 1-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago. It was only the third time a team from the region has won on the road in this 2010 qualifying campaign.

Landon Donovan continued to be the field general for the MNT, assisting Ricardo Clark's game-winning goal in 62nd minute and in the process tying the US record for assists in a year with 9. The 26-yard tailing blast from Clark was the young midfielder's first qualifying goal.

When called upon, the US players are still making the difference, and the rough road win vaults them into first place in their group with 16 points and clinches a top four position in the group table, guaranteeing at least a playoff opportunity against the fifth place team from South America with two qualifying games remaining.

The MNT needs two points in last two games to secure a birth to South Africa but could clinch given several scenarios in their next game at Honduras October 10. If unable to tie or win in San Pedro Sula, than the game against Costa Rica October 14 in Washington, DC will determine the Americans' fate. Down to the wire in a tight group, the next month holds the hopes and celebration plans of a nation of fans.

Landon takes lead

DonJulio — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:54:49 GMT

First rule in making the difference: show up. When it comes to national team duty, though, showing up requires getting selected. After Saturday night in Sandy, Utah, where the US Mens National Team defeated El Salvador 2-1, no US player has been chosen more than Landon Donovan. Already the USMNT’s all time leading goal scorer, Saturday he set a new all time record for qualifying appearances with 32.

And it came on a night when the stand-out American assisted on both US goals, earning him man of the match honors.

In the best form of his career, Donovan is poised to make the next year a special one, with a domestic cup for his club and a trip to South Africa for his country in his sights. And no one thinks those teams could reach those goals without America’s most prolific goal scorer. That’s the definition of difference maker.

Next up in the record books: all time cap leader. Donovan currently has 116, good enough for the most of any active player and fourth all time. The record stands at 164, well within the reach of the still youthful 27-year-old’s career span. Landon should add to his total on Wednesday when the USMNT travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the next round of qualifiers.

A Tale of Two Halves

Gronamo — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:50:12 GMT

In their first full international final, the US MNT came roaring onto the pitch in blistering form. What a difference a week makes, as the red, white and blue showed the world all the pride, passion and skill that was lacking in their group stage game against Brazil.

Riding a wave of confidence after their semifinal win against world #1 Spain, the US struck first blood when Deuce Dempsey did what he does best – one-timing a pinpoint cross into the side netting in the 10th minute. Opportunistic and lethal, Deuce tallied for the third time in as many games, earning the tourney’s Bronze Ball for his big-game heroics.

The US did the unthinkable 17 minutes later when they went 2-0 up on Brazil for the first time ever with what is arguably one of their greatest goals of all time. Ricardo Clark started the play intercepting the ball in our defensive third and outletting up the middle to the streaking Donovan, who one-timed it out to Charlie Davies, who returned the favor back to Donovan with one touch. Donovan then beat his Brazilian defender with a perfectly taken first touch, sized up the keeper and slotted the ball in the corner of the net. As clinical and surgical a counterattack as you could ever hope to see.

The second half was another story, as Brazil finally found their way around tournament Golden Glove winner, Timmy Howard, to draw one back. And, from there Brazil mounted wave after wave of attacks, constantly threatening until the US was finally undone 3 – 2. Congrats go out to Brazil, who played phenomenal in the second 45 and, in particular, to Luis Fabiano who scored two of the three to win the Golden Boot.

So while they may not have come away with a victory today in South Africa, the US MNT has served notice to the world that they are capable of beating anyone on any given night. And as they go into qualifying matches for South Africa 2010, Landon had this to say:

“We’re at the point where we don’t want respect; we want to win.”

Spain is Slain

Gronamo — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:07:13 GMT

The US MNT has pulled off the unthinkable and shocked the world yet again. In the ultimate David vs. Goliath match-up, the MNT dethroned the Spaniards, the Titans of international soccer and the world’s undisputed No. 1 team.

Forget beating the African champions. Spain hadn’t lost since November 2006. That’s 15 straight victories, 35 straight matches without a loss, and 451 straight minutes of shutout play.

Those shutout minutes came to a decisive end when Deuce played a ball with a little flair to his teammate, who turned his marker and finished strong. Then Deuce would add the dagger in the 74th, driving home a deflection from inside the penalty area for his 15th international goal.

Add in the stalwart, quintessentially American physical D played by Gooch, DeMerit, and Boca, a stunning performance by Howard, and that’s a shutout W.

The finals are on Sunday, as the MNT plays the winner of Brazil vs. South Africa. We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Against All Odds

Gronamo — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:13:36 GMT

In three incredible moments on Sunday the critics were silenced and the passion returned to American soccer.

The first was pure heart and hard work by Charlie Davies, as he held off multiple defenders and craftily flicked it around his marker and off the Egyptian keeper’s head into the goal. 21st minute, US 1-0.

The second was an awe-inspiring counterattack, as Michael Bradley ran at the Egyptian backline in Landon-esque fashion before giving it to the Captain himself, who crossed it back to Bradley’s right foot. Goal, 2-0. Happy Father’s Day, Coach Bob.

Finally a pinpoint cross in the 71st minute gave Clint Dempsey the opportunity to secure a place in US soccer lore, as Deuce laid out for a picture-perfect header to the back post. GOLASO!

If you missed any of the goals that sent the MNT into the Confederation’s Cup semifinals, check 'em out here. Now the MNT, with the help of a 3-0 Brazilian victory over the Italians, has been rewarded with a chance to butt heads with the No. 1 team in the world, Fernando Torres’ Spain.

With courage, grit and a refusal to say die, our boys have delivered an unforgettable moment in US soccer. It’s time to refocus and back this performance up with another.

Don’t miss this one (Wednesday, ESPN, 2:30 ET). We can hardly wait….

Test the Best

Gronamo — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:08:47 GMT

When the stakes are high, Landon comes to play. For the second consecutive game, Landon blasted home a clutch PK in the 41st minute (his 40th tally for the MNT). This time it was to take the lead against the defending world champions. No small feat.

But a questionable red card and 60 minutes of man-down play later the US fell in a hard-fought, high-intensity game to the Italians. Everybody knows playing a man down is virtually impossible against the Azzurri. But, like Coach Bradley said, it’s only the first game of the group.

The MNT has a chance to bounce back against Brazil on Thursday. It’ll be another tough match, no doubt. But don’t forget why we’re in the Confederations Cup – to get some experience against the world’s best in the same stadiums that will host the 2010 tournament next summer. Call it a high-level practice run.

The Brazilians are coming off a last minute 4-3 win against the Egyptians; they’re anything but invincible. Leave it to Landon to prove it. So tune in on Thursday (ESPN, 10 AM ET, 6/18/09) and watch Landon and the crew test their skills against the Brazilian side.