Nikesoccer

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.

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.

Respect Is Not Enough

adamspangler — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:10:47 GMT

Three years of preparation. 17 months of qualifying.

Four weeks. 32 teams. One champion. Next summer the world descends upon South Africa.

With a 72nd-minute goal from Michael Bradley and a last-minute header from Jonathan Bornstein, the USMNT came from 2 goals down to tie Costa Rica at Washington's RFK Stadium Wednesday night and win the hexagonal. This team does not quit.

The Difference: substitute Robbie Rogers, who came on in the 69th minute, scoured the field for loose balls, broke up plays on defense, and pushed forward in attack.

At the end it resulted in one moment. A Rogers corner kick in extra time. Bornstein jumping higher than the rest. In a split second the game was tied, the hexagonal won.

Elation with pause, for the health of Charlie Davies and for all the work still to be done.

Respect is not enough. South Africa here we come.

USMNT Viewing Party in LA

adamspangler — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:29:27 GMT

The USMNT qualified for South Africa, but will they finish at the top of their group?

Will Costa Rica come out throwing everything they have into attack, knowing they must win to punch their own tickets?

Find the answers and hang with fellow fans at The Montalban viewing party in Los Angeles, CA, where the USMNT game will be offered free of charge on a movie theater-sized screen.

Before game time and during half time play 3v3 on the rooftop field dedicated by FC Barcelona during their summer tour.

Wednesday October 14th at 5pm
The Montalban
1615 Vine St.
Hollywood, CA 90028

RSVP by emailing: rsvpnike@nike.com

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.

The Time Is Now. Period.

adamspangler — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:10:30 GMT

The end of this stage is near.

After all the hard work put in the last three years, the finals are finally within reach.

Two games to get through. Two chances to reach the world's biggest stage.

South Africa beckons. The time is now. Period.

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.

Bouncing Back

adamspangler — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:10:26 GMT

You can't win every game, but there is no more important game to win than the one after a tough loss. You just gotta bounce back.

In a game that the pundits said the US Under-20 MNT should be happy to get out of with a tie, the worthy mix of college players and professionals controlled the entire game against Cameroon en route to a 4-1 victory.

Bryan Arguez got the scoring started just before halftime with a composed trap and quick shot amid a six yard box full of defenders. And Cameroon never recovered. A second goal came in the 47th minute and two more followed; Cameroon managed a penalty kick goal to
avoid a shutout.

After an opening loss to Germany, the US team now sits with 3 points and helps its cause with a 4-goal showing. South Korea is up next. Can the U20's get out of the group of death?

Clean Sheets

adamspangler — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:02:58 GMT

Strikers and midfielders get all the glory, even defenders can show off offensive prowess through set plays, a vertical jump, or a strong header. But goal keepers too often only make the game report when they make mistakes. It's a fact of life behind the backline, but it doesn't mean you can't still be the difference maker.

For the second week in a row, Tim Howard shut out an opponent. He may never make the score sheet, but he has the singular power to keep an entire team off as well. Last season he set the club's all time record with 16 clean sheets in one year.

Howard's Toffees continued the effort of putting their early season woes behind them, squeaking out a 1-0 victory over winless Portsmouth. The MNT goal keeper rose to make crucial saves from pointblank shots, one with his shoulder, but also made his presence felt by marshalling a new backline out of their early struggles. Goal keepers don't get enough credit for their defensive leadership role--putting players in the right place, tactically squashing offensive threats before they even happen--and Howard deserves praise for that guidance on top of brilliant saves.

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.

Dempsey's Derby Day

adamspangler — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:10:54 GMT

Before Fulham welcomes Arsenal to their historic home along the Thames River, Clint Dempsey talked exclusively with nikesoccer.com about his life in London, his hectic travel schedule, and his mindset leading into a derby weekend.

For all the fanfare that goes into derby clashes, Clint's quiet life in the London suburb of Wimbledon allows him to fly under the radar. His public notoriety has changed just a little bit since he was the relative unknown American moving abroad. "It's not too crazy now, but I do get noticed more." Clint says. "If I am out and around Wimbledon, especially when school is letting out, I do get people coming up to me or saying 'what's up.' It's cool."

You might expect some trash talking in a city with 13 professional clubs delivering more than a fair share of derby games and distinct fan bases, but Clint says he doesn't hear negativity from fans, even in jest. "There is so much going on in London," he says. "More than just football, so I don't get a lot of attention." If he does hear anything, it's usually from fans of the Blues, he says, not Arsenal.

And so the American soccer star goes about his low key London life, focusing on family and soccer. It's been a whirlwind start to the season for Clint, who has more on his plate than most. Beyond a new baby, there's Fulham's league schedule of course, then a new European competition and qualifying games en route to South Africa, where the punishing midfielder recently won the bronze ball as the third best player in the warm-up tournament to the finals. Clint plans on returning next summer.

In the last few months alone, Clint has traveled to Russia, South Africa, El Salvador, and California, just to name a few. How does he maintain? "I don't have any secrets," Clint says of dealing with the travel and multiple games in a week. "I like to get a lot of sleep, get in work with the team's physio staff, and take ice baths. Just things that help bring the life back into your body." During stretches like this, "there is no training outside of training," Clint says. "I rarely get even one day off a week." Want to be the best? You gotta put in the work.

Heading into a big game, it's a balance between mental focus and physical fitness. "You got to make sure you are feeling sharp and rested," Clint says. "Don't think about the game too much, because then you will stress yourself out. Stress can take its toll, so you have to manage your mind and body. I'll spend the time from now until the game focusing on my marking assignments, how Arsenal will play, and my overall game plan."

The work is never done, not for new fathers, not for footballers. Not for outside midfielders who need to cover the entire length of the field. Want to make the difference? You gotta be ready.

Clint Dempsey is ready for Arsenal.

Constantly Clint

adamspangler — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:38:05 GMT

They had several of their offensive stars return from injury, but Clint Dempsey and Fulham didn't have the first half they wanted to at home against Tim Howard's Blues. The best American goal keeper kept the London club off the score sheet for 45 minutes, but Fulham stormed back with a relentless second half to snatch an important come from behind win that takes them to the middle of the league table.

Clint Dempsey didn't add to his goal tally, but the respect of the players and knowledgeable fans grew immensely for the US international. Only four days removed from playing in Trinidad and Tobago, the well-traveled midfielder dug into his fitness reserves to be a constant threat, a difference maker driving the ball through the midfield, finding his teammates, firing from distance, and then pushing through to get his head on the ball in the box. A few inches here and there and a hat trick would be his.

The statisticians may not remember, but Dempsey found his way to the top of his coaches, teammates, and opponents' memories. A Difference Maker today, indeed.

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.

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.

USMNT Make The Difference

adamspangler — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:34:39 GMT

It can be sticking your head where it doesn't belong, a skull risking cleat marks for a chance at the ball. It can be chasing a winger down the flank, even when he doesn't have the ball. It could be a tackle or a save, a trap or a first touch, a pass sewn through traffic or a shot from an impossible angle. It's not stopping to take a breath. It's one second on the clock.

Step out onto the field, the big international stage, and there's no telling what the difference will be, and who will make it. A trip to South Africa is not a given. You have to earn it like you have to earn every second in practice, in the gym, in the games, in your mind. In everybody's mind, turn doubt into belief. Make the Difference.