Nikesoccer

Never Give Up

DonJulio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:35:29 GMT

Just 120 seconds to turn the game. 120 seconds to destroy the opponents.

You need character to continue believing after 85 losing minutes. But if you are Inter Milan you can’t give it up.

The first to believe is Wesley Sneijder, serving a perfect assist to his mate. Then he fights to reach the ball and score the second goal.

This crazy Inter Milan never gives up.

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

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.

Must Win Starts Now

adamspangler — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:07:10 GMT

The USMNT doesn't have to win every game from here on out in order to qualify for South Africa, but losing even one could cause some problems in a group of nations so tightly packed.

So you prepare like every game is a must win.

As the MNT begins the final push towards qualification for South Africa next summer, they know they will need to be at their very best because at this point in the progression the dreams of every nation hang on the result of each game. The little guys become giant killers, and the giants must stand their ground. That means being prepared for battle.

Before the national anthems, before the stadiums fill with fans, before the bright lights turn on, making the difference on game day means putting in the time at training. National team fitness coach Barrieu is charged with getting the player in shape to handle the rigors of international soccer. In the video above, he explains one of the drills used by the MNT by putting Charlie Davies and Michael Bradley through the workout.

Reset the scoreboards: The Spanish League begins

socshep18 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:06:40 GMT

What has happened so far is past tense. We must forget about past titles, classification rankings or losses. All scoreboards are reset.

The 09/10 season was a milestone, but the League is the League again, a place, where the world’s best players compete to achieve victories.
Cristiano Ronaldo faces the first day with a blank page in front of him. He came to rewrite football history, to erase the past and leave his mark forever.
Albiol, the new promise of Bernabeu will help him on this mission.

But there’s fierce competition waiting, starting with for example Zlatan Ibrahimovic, ready to record his name with golden letters in up to 6 tournaments, a champion who never tires of victory.
Furthermore, this year’s League will count on many selected candidates, who will be ready to make the difference throughout this season:
Kun Agüero, who will recuperate Atletico’s fame; Bojan, who with just 18 years old has a record many players wouldn’t be able to obtain throughout their entire careers; Iniesta, who will demonstrate once again that he’s great among the greatest; Mata, who got rid of the reputation of ‘young gun’ and will lead his club’s attack and Navas and Luis Fabiano, who will checkmate the Spanish and European defenses.
The hopes of millions of people are in the hands of a few, those who achieved to get there.
No more tests. The first whistle sounds.

Make the Difference

Victorious from the start

crowlala — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:10:56 GMT

From the training pitch to their first trophy, the season has yet to kick off and Barca have already claimed the Spanish Super Cup.

Zlatan's arrival and Guardiola's intensive pre-season training has so far proved lethal. The pride of Barcelona knows exactly what it takes to win and they’ll stop at nothing to win it all.

Inter’s Preseason Prep

crowlala — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:51:50 GMT

After a global tour Inter Milan begins league play on Sunday in what will be the 78th season of the Italian top flight. It’s also number 78 for Inter—the only team in the country to never be relegated.

How do they do it? Any good coach will tell you its no mystery. The difference between Inter capturing a 5th straight Scudetto—last done by Juventus in the 1930’s—and finishing below the top spot is creating a team of unmatched, technical footballers.

Some say it’s luck, and the ball does bounce in mysterious ways at times, but if from training day one a unified Inter push themselves to the limits, destroying their bodies in practice to later glorify them at during a game, can anyone in Italy stop them? They have won the last four league trophies this way, making themselves bigger, stronger, faster, better each year. They know if they put in the work, there is no reason to think the Italian record books won’t eventually all be theirs.

Montalban Match Viewing

crowlala — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:02:24 GMT

Join us at the Montalbán to watch the USMNT versus Mexico match live from Azteca Stadium.

The event will be hosted by Jeff Garcia. Bring your country flags to show your support and enter in our raffles.

Food and Drink will also be available.

RSVP by emailing rsvpnike@nike.com

1615 Vine St
Hollywood, CA 90028

Hope to see you there.

FCB Field Reporter Contest Names Winner

crowlala — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:09:02 GMT

Congratulations to Miguel2011, winner of the FC Barcelona Field Reporter Contest held by Nike Soccer and Eurosport. Miguel2011 will now be getting the VIP experience for the San Francisco leg of FCB’s US tour, including chauffeured limo rides to a training session in San Francisco, an all-access field pass while at the match on August 8, and an exclusive meet and greet with Europe’s reigning champs! And as if that weren’t cool enough, he’ll also get to document his entire experience on NikeSoccer.com. So be sure to check back after the match to catch up with Miguel2011 and see how he did in his role as Field Reporter.

If you weren't selected this time, don’t worry. With the championships approaching you never know what NikeSoccer.com might have in store. So be sure to keep checking back to stay up on the latest, or you can simply register on the site to get important news and updates sent directly to you.

To all who submitted entries in the FCB Field Reporter Contest, thanks for participating!

Rooftop Dedication

Gronamo — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:22:23 GMT

Nearly 1000 FCB fans turned up Thursday night to watch current champions of Europe and Spain publically unveil a new futsal court on the roof of the Montablan Theatre in Hollywood, CA.

Nike and the LA84 Foundation partnered to create the new community rooftop court as part of a commitment to build and/or refurbish 84 playgrounds throughout Los Angeles. Nike and LA84 - a group dedicated to serving youth through sport - believe the new surfaces will rejuvenate the community by giving kids safe places to lead healthy, active lives.

The event was hosted by Max Bretos & Patricia Lopez and featured special guest Mia hamm, Alexander Skarsgard & Gilles Marini. Fans watched the team play a game of 3 v 3 with celebrities and also engaged in Q & A session.

FCB is stateside for thier preseason US tour consisting of a series of friendly matches in LA, Seattle & San Francisco.

JUMP ON TOUR WITH FCB

crowlala — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:34:59 GMT

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take the field with the world’s best footballers? To be chauffeured to practice and games in a stretch limo? Get the VIP treatment like an international soccer star? Well here’s your chance to make those dreams a reality. With the Eurosport FC Barcelona Field Reporter Contest, you have a chance to win a once in a lifetime prize package that includes:

Limo ride to FCB training session in San Francisco and Chivas match on August 8th
Exclusive meet and greet with the team at training session
All-access field pass to Chivas match
Your articles and photos documenting the experience on NikeSoccer.com

So how do you win? To become the FC Barcelona Field Reporter, you have to show some journalistic skills. That includes writing a caption for a photo we posted on the contest page, plus a brief essay telling us why you’re the right person for the job. Then it’s all about getting your entry voted into the qualifying pool. Only those entries with the most votes and highest ratings will be considered by our judges, so make sure you get your friends to weigh in. If you qualify and our judges think you’re up for the task, you could soon be on your way to San Francisco to join FC Barcelona on their US tour!

ENTER CONTEST

FC BARCELONA SOM UN

Gronamo — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:37:12 GMT

Witness the reigning Champions of Europe and Spain in action as the team unveils the new Nike LA84 Foundation community rooftop court in Hollywood.
Hear from FCB legends including Guardiola, watch the field dedication and 3 v 3 match with special guest Mia Hamm. Plus, be one of the few to win VIP seating!

Nike Soccer Presents

The Montálban

1615 Vine Street

Hollywood, CA 90028

Thursday, July 30th 4:30PM - 6PM

Space is limited. Please RSVP your entry to rsvpnike@nike.com .Tickets for theatre seating will be provided outside of the theatre on a first come, first serve basis. Only 1 ticket per person. Outdoor event viewing will be available in south parking lot on the corner of Vine St & Selma.

Hope to see you there!

Clean Sweep

Gronamo — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:21:00 GMT

It might not have been one of the blowout victories we've become used to as WNT fans, but there wasn't much to complain about as the ladies brought home a 1-0 victory in Charleston, S.C. Wednesday night.

Well, maybe the heat. Even though the kickoff was at 8PM, the players couldn't escape the muggy 80 degree weather under the lights. And after a frustrating first half of no goals on a handful of solid tries, the weather seemed to reflect the mounting stress.

So Coach Sundhage turned to the youth of the team to light a fresh spark on the attack. And it paid off. The game winner finally came in the 89^th^ minute and the WNT would hold on to clinch the second-straight 1-0 victory against our neighbors to the north.

But let's not forget our secret, if relatively silent, weapon. We can always count on Hope Solo to be her usual self, as she made two point blank stops late in the game to save the clean sheet and ensure the sweep of the series.

Now it's back to professional (or collegiate) play for the WNT, as they prepare for the start of their WPS seasons, where they'll hone their skills for the next round of international bouts. And good luck to the Men's team as they face Honduras today at 6PM ET in Chicago (FSC).

Coming to America

Gronamo — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:30:26 GMT

This summer the inaugural World Football Challenge has arrived stateside, giving Americans a chance to watch some of the top international club talents up close. Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, CA saw the first action on Saturday, as reigning Italian champions Inter Milan took on the perennial Mexican powerhouse Club America (check the highlights).

Inter and Club America were both looking fresh in their newly unveiled Nike kits, but it was Club America that had the initial swagger and support of a home team. They might have been a long away from their home stadium in Mexico, but the constant yellow streamers and screaming Mexican fans were telling signs of the region’s support for the club.

Club America opened the scoring in the 46th minute when Mexican international and veteran Pavel Pardo put a bending corner right onto his teammate’s boot, for a low volley past Inter’s keeper.

But Inter boss Mourinho made it clear he wasn’t giving up easily – friendly or no friendly. Subbing in prized striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the roars of the 31,000 + in attendance, Mourinho threw injury concerns to the wind and pressed the search for an equalizer.

He got what he was looking for in the 60th minute, as Inter finished on a near post header off a precision corner. Club America would eventually win 5-4 in penalties, but the physical play and start studded line-ups showed the fans that no soccer match is to be taken lightly.

Club America sits in first atop the WFC standings with 3 points. Look for more matches to come throughout the week at the All-American venues Rose Bowl and Georgia Dome.

CLUB AMERICA IN THE HEART OF SAN FRAN

crowlala — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:38:04 GMT

CLUB AMERICA COMES TO UNION SQUARE, SF

Come support the Club America Soccer Team as they unveil their new Kit and get ready for their US tour.

Friday, July 17th
7pm - 8:30pm
Union Square

Be the first to buy the new Club America jersey at NIKETOWN SF and get it autographed by the team.* You'll receive Club America giveaways just for attending the event** and while you're there, enter to win tickets to the Club America v Inter Milan game on July 19th.

*as time permits: July 17th only.
**while supplies last

INTER MILAN STORMS LA

crowlala — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:15:20 GMT

Reigning Italian champions Inter Milan will be showcasing their high-octane style of play at three can’t-miss matches throughout the US this summer. And what better way to kick off the tour than an exclusive global unveiling of their new Inter Milan kit in Los Angeles! This is your chance to get face to face with Italy's conquering heroes and get your hands on their brand new kit for 2009-2010. See below for details on how to get into this ultra-exclusive kit launch party and hang with Italy’s top footballers.

INTER MILAN GLOBAL KIT LAUNCH PARTY

WHEN:
Thursday, July 16
8:30-10PM

WHERE:
Nike’s The Montalbán
1615 Vine Street
Hollywood, CA 90028

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO:
“Blue” carpet arrival by team
History of Inter Kit Runway Show
Q&A with Materazzi and team
Celebrity Emcee Hosts
Free gift with kit purchase

Ticket required for entry, free thru July 16 at:

Niketown LA
9560 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Niky’s Sports
1536 W. 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA
&
2720 W. Pico
Los Angeles, CA

Soccer Central
12130 E. Carson St., Unit D
Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Soccer Fanatic
24721 Alicia Parkway, Ste B
Laguna Hills, CA

*20 VIP tickets at each store, first come-first served. VIP gets special access including exclusive photo opportunity with the team, reserved seating and a chance at tickets to Inter v. Chelsea on 7/21 at the Rose Bowl. General admission tickets while supplies last.

Make sure you mark your calendar for the Inter Milan kit launch event and spread the word to your friends and teammates!