Nikesoccer

Two Minutes

adamspangler — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:48:19 GMT

In what was to be a routine match against Malawi, the Elephants left their biggest names on the bench and found themselves down 1-0 in the 63rd minute.

Enter Didier Drogba.

Two minutes on the pitch and the Ivorian superstar equalized, sending his homeland into the finals for the second successive time.

Two minutes.

Make the Difference.

Speed Kills

adamspangler — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:21:42 GMT

Strikers are judged on goals.

But on Sunday, Drogba demonstrated the importance of every area of a centre forward’s game.

His electric pace and storming power laid on the two goals that gave his team all three points and left them standing at the top of the league.

The Need for Speed

Gronamo — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:10:00 GMT

When you're playing at the very highest level, a split-second can be the difference between European glory and heroic failure. That's why Man. Utd's irrepressible number 7 and Chelsea's top target man will take the field in Moscow on Wednesday night wearing the limited edition Mercurial SL concept boot.

Ten years ago, the original Mercurial Vapor was designed specifically to enhance the superfast skills of Ronaldo - the Brazilian superstar known as The Phenomenon. A decade after the wonder boot was first introduced to the world, its latest and lightest incarnation is gracing the European stage on the feet of two more striking phenomomena - Didier Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano has already taken the ~~p-1990~~ that Didier won last year. Now two of the hottest strikers in Europe are going toe-to-toe once again, as they debut the lightest, fastest, most flexible boot around.

The gloves are off and the boots are on. The Mercurial SL revolution starts tomorrow night, and Europe's biggest club prize awaits.

Clash of Champions

gabejazzy — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:40:07 GMT

The stage is set: Manchester United versus Chelsea F.C. in the finals of the world’s greatest club competition.

Paul Scholes, who missed his team’s last Champions League final through suspension, ensured his place in this year’s championship with a phenomenal strike.

Fourteen minutes into the match, Scholes intercepted the ball 30 yards out from goal, took one touch and smacked a blistering, swerving strike into the back of the net.

Top corner from 25 yards out is NEXT LEVEL!

Not to be outdone, Didier Drogba hoisted his team on his back and carried them to the promise land. Breaking through the stiff Liverpool defense, Drogba hammered home the game’s first goal.

But a silky finish from Fernando Torres and a thunderous blast from Ryan Babel meant Drogba’s job wasn’t quite finished. Not to worry, the powerful Ivorian sealed the deal in overtime when he beat the keeper to the near post with a surgically placed finish.

Securing your club’s first Champions League final with two goals is NEXT LEVEL!

The Red Devils and the Blues will now face off on May 21 in Moscow for the right to raise the Champions League trophy.

Storming The Pitch

gabejazzy — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:43:52 GMT

Well, well, well, Kid Dynamite did it again. If we seem like a broken record, it's really not our fault. Mike Bradley scored another goal for Heerenveen on Saturday - this time in a crucial match against Eredivisie-leading PSV Eindhoven. This is getting a little absurd, but Mike's killer instincts are obviously in full effect.

Other Americans were in action this weekend in Europe, to varying degrees of success. Tim Howard followed up a solid international performance midweek against Mexico with another shutout for Everton, which is now sitting pretty (for the time being) in fourth place.

But lurking three points behind is a Manchester City team that upset Man United 2-1 on an emotional Sunday in England. City played close to a flawless game, and certainly benefited from Rooney's absence.

Meanwhile, in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt retained their title with a spirited win over Cameroon. To say Egypt flew under the radar would be unfair. True, the defending champion Pharaohs didn't have the European star power, but they had something else going for them: a real team.

As expected, the final against Cameroon was a closely contested affair. Both teams had their fair share of offensive opportunities, and the highlights show that both keepers left their mark by covering some dangerous, well-hit balls. The lone goal came from a Cameroon mistake and Egypt's effort to create something out of nothing. An effort which saw them garner five spots on the all-tournament team.

Congrats Egypt and the organizers of the Africa Cup of Nations, maybe next time we'll have the pleasure of announcing that it's televised in the States. Either way, this bodes well for Africa in 2010.

Catch your breath this week, because next week's going to be busy with a whole lotta Champions League action.

Storming The Pitch - Michael Bradley

gabejazzy — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:55:05 GMT

With so much action blowing up on all the pitches across the globe, it's hard to keep your finger on the pulse of the beautiful game. Well, that's where we come in. Just ‘cause you can't be at every game doesn't mean you can't know about every game.

We here at 365 are committed to bringing you the latest and the greatest soccer stories. So you never get caught offside. We call it Storming The Pitch. And, we promise to deliver the goods from the game you love. So don't forget to check back here at the beginning of the week to get your dose of the good stuff.

Speaking of the good stuff, they've got it by the boatload at the African Cup of Nations tournament. Europe may be where the game's best and brightest go to work each day, but with increasing regularity, Africa is where they call home.

Chelsea alone will have to resurrect its title hopes without the star services of Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, and 20-year-old John Obi Mikel. The club's loss is Africa's gain, as the continent is bursting with excitement.

The group stage of the African Cup of Nations is winding down, but aside from the Ivory Coast and Egypt, which teams will qualify for the knockout round is anyone's guess. Journalists have been reporting all week long that this year's tournament has been more exciting and unpredictable than ever before. Ghana and Nigeria should squeak into the last eight, but there are no guarantees. Our only prediction is that Drogba & Co. continue they're stampede over the competition.

On the home front, the US MNT continues training for the upcoming Border Battle on February 6th in Houston. It's been a long camp, but not without its fair share of side stories. EJ had to leave after signing with Fulham, and now there's a good chance one of his U.S. teammates will follow his lead. Distractions? No doubt, but the type that prove American soccer in 2008 is on the up and up.

One national teamer that's on fire is midfielder Michael Bradley. Mike has been absolutely killin' it with Heerenveen lately, scoring way too many goals for us to keep referring to him as a defensive or holding center midfielder. Check out some of his recent highlights. It's too early to seriously consider Mike alongside Tim Howard in the Premeirship, but just the fact that the gossip is swirling means that people are taking notice of his game (not to mention the new buzz-cut). In his own words....

On the European front there have been fewer surprises. In England, CR7 continues to score big goals for Man United. This time he came up with two Gs, one from the PK mark and one from the top of the box, against a strong Tottenham group. In Italy, Milan's Brazilian sensation Pato slotted home two more, as well. Can't wait to see him help Milan defend the Champions League crown against the best the game has to offer.