Nikesoccer

More than a Friendly

DonJulio — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:18:22 GMT

With a week-long training camp complete, only 2 exhibition matches stand between the USMNT and South Africa.

Tonight the send off series begins in Connecticut for a 30-man squad needing to come down to 23.

It's time to impress, show your mettle, and fight for your national team life.

Want to go to South Africa?

Write The Future.

Have your say and don't miss a single Write The Future moment. Join the conversation with Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch all the latest videos from Nike Soccer on Youtube.

Nine Is Fine

DonJulio — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:15:57 GMT

Flying under the radar of personal highlights, "Nine Americans started in England, France, Germany and Mexico on Saturday, and none lost."

Among the group, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard helped secured another shutout victory. The same goes for Carlos Bocanegra in France. Michael Bradley controlled the midfield against one of the top teams in Germany, and Jose Francisco Torres regained the handle on a starting role in a blowout win in Mexico.

Every player knows winning breads confidence, and with South Africa quickly approaching--just 130 days--the time is now to build the daring mentality that can be the single difference between a win and loss on the world stage.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about the USMNT at their page in the bootroom.

Bornstein's Boots

DonJulio — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:02:15 GMT

USMNT defender Jonathan Bornstein became a national hero in Honduras by helping the Caribbean nation reach the finals in South Africa. Now he's hoping the boots that helped him net the game-tying goal against Costa Rica, which consequently sent Honduras through, can do the same for the nation of Haiti.

With the first game versus Honduras since that fateful goal scheduled for Saturday evening, the defender autographed and put his now famous boots up for auction, with 100 percent of the money raised going to the Red Cross relief efforts in earthquake devestated Haiti.

The auction begins today (Friday) and will run through Wednesday, Jan. 27.

BID NOW!

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

Test Time

DonJulio — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:18:15 GMT

It's off to Germany for Ricardo Clark, who this week signed with Frankfurt's Eagles, currently sitting 7th on the German league table.

For the 27-year-old midfielder, Germany should a good fit for both his size and skill, though both will be tested.

Can Clark use this time in Germany to make his case as a real threat for the US in South Africa?

Let us know your thoughts on Twitter by replying to @nikesoccer using #ricardo.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about Ricardo Clark and his USMNT teammates at their team page in the bootroom.

So Far So Good

DonJulio — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:24:35 GMT

Another week another solid outing for Landon Donovan, who along with Tim Howard helped the Toffees shut out their 4th ranked opponents in Donovan's home debut for the Blues of Liverpool.

The American midfielder saw plenty of the ball, proving after only two weeks the he's a vital part of the side now 10th in the table.

It's shaping up to be a productive few months for Landon and the country which will depend upon him come summer.

Could he help steer the Toffees into another European qualification for next season?

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

Michael's Deadly Weapons - Gametime

DonJulio — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:05:56 GMT

Michael Bradley is known for accuracy, from anywhere on the field. We've covered his boots and his insights on training, but how does it all come together in the match?

You got to get your mind right.

"For me, the mentality and the way I go about things is always the same," Bradley says. "I try to take the things I do well and make them count in every game. Impose myself on the game and win the battle in the center of the midfield by attacking and defending."

Often winning that battle means knowing whether to strike that deadly long ball or keep possession with short passes.

"As a midfielder," Bradley says, "the ability to be able to, at the right time, put a defense and a goalie on their back heels by being a threat from distance is important. That's a big threat for any team, but the ability to know when that right time is, is imperative. Mix up your passes--play short passes, long passes, good balls on the ground, play balls in the air. Just having a variety of ways to connect things and mix things up."

Then when you need it, that defense crippling through ball is there.

"Obviously the game today is played at such a high tempo and pace," the USMNT midfielder says. "So when the time is right, a long ball is something that can be very good."

Vision and Accuracy. The deadliest of weapons in the midfield.

Get the Total 90 Laser III.
Get Training.Get Deadly. Master Accuracy

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about Michael Bradley and his teammates at the USMNT team page.

Michael's Deadly Weapons

DonJulio — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:03:46 GMT

You depend on your teammates. You depend on your coach. But over 90 minutes you won't depend on anything as much as your boots.

Having worn T90 boots since his days in the U14 National Team Camp, the USMNT midfielder Michael Bradley knows what works for his feet, his body, and his game.

"The new T90 Laser III is a great balance between being a shoe that is light and not too bulky," Bradley says. "But at the same time they provide the right comfort and support that I know is going to hold up over 90 minutes and a whole season."

"When you add it all together," the deadly accurate midfielder says, "It makes for a shoe that has a good feel to it. Playing balls with in the inside of your foot feels pure. When you go to strike a long ball or a shot, the instep is good."

Important points to note for a player who relies on the his ability to lace pinpoint passes and crack precise long-range shots.

Get The Total 90 Laser III

Get Training. Get Deadly. Master Accuracy

Check back tomorrow for some insight into Michael's approach to training.

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.

Get To Know Donovan

DonJulio — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:34:47 GMT

His pace proved problematic for the defense.

His control and vision helped keep the Toffee attack flowing.

His assist came with a perfectly placed corner kick.

In his English debut, it was much of the same from America's most heralded playmaker.

Weeks after his debarkation, Landon Donovan finally arrived in England.

If you thought it would go differently, you don't know Donovan.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about Landon and his USMNT teammates on their team page.

Landon Arrives

DonJulio — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:23:49 GMT

Landon Donovan arrived in Liverpool this past weekend to join USMNT teammate Tim Howard and begin his three-month loan with the Toffees.

After winning every domestic award available to him, the 27-year-old American playmaker now has his first chance of the New Year to be a difference maker.

Will his play be loud enough to make his arrival heard?

Follow along with Landon during his loan spell on his Facebook page.

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.

The Only Choice

DonJulio — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:31:18 GMT

When the USMNT's highest scorer has the best year of his career.

When he sets qualifying records with 35 caps and 12 goals en route to the team's sixth consecutive qualification for the world's biggest contest.

When he has already won every US-based soccer accolade he could in one year.

Is there any doubt?

Landon Donovan is your US Soccer Male Athlete of the Year.

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 in the bootroom.

The Basics

socshep18 — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:35:07 GMT

To beat the best you have to excel on both sides of the ball.

The goals you score are only as good as the ones you keep out out of your own net.

Few expected Clint Dempsey and Fulham to take those basic rules to
the extreme against Manchester United over the weekend.

But that's exactly what they did.

Ruthless attack up top grounded by an organized back line allowed Fulham to knock the
fire out of Manchester's red giants with a near-perfect team effort.

Can Clint and the Fulham side begin a climb towards the top in the new year?

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 in the bootroom.

Landon's New Deal

DonJulio — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:43 GMT

The league's best player will be back in Los Angeles next year, but first there's some unfinished business overseas.

Landon Donovan announced this week that he will remain with his American club, but not before joining USMNT teammate Tim Howard in England.

Ten weeks in the toughest league in the world after the best season of his career.

A new challenge. A new chance to make the difference.

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 in the bootroom.

32 Nations. 1 Mission

DonJulio — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:34:52 GMT

The groups are drawn, the matches set and history awaits.

The chosen 32 have earned their tickets to South Africa. But belief and an appetite for glory will now be put to the test on the world's biggest stage. Who's hungry?

Expect danger and perfection in equal doses when Drogba, Fabiano and Ronaldo clash in the early stages. All three lethal finishers will aim to change the game at all times. Backlines brace yourselves...

England will go into their first match against the USMNT with plenty of confidence, having blazed to the top of their qualification group. Combine Rooney's ruthless eye for goal, Ferdinand's strength and Theo's lightning-quick pace, and you have a team ready for business.

But no longer considered inexperienced upstarts, Landon Donovan's side has proved they can hold their own, beating the world #1 and finishing second in South Africa this past summer. So expect the unexpected.

And it's not just about the big guns. The smaller nations will also be eager to shake things up this summer.

Michael Essien, Muntari, Song and Obi Mikel will be holding it down for the African nations and baring their teeth with the best of them. South Korea and Australia provide the giant killing potential and look to cause 2010 upsets. As South Africa draws near, one thing is for certain - everyone believes they can win it, but only one team will prove it.

Who will go all the way? Have your say at facebook.com/nikesoccer.

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 and other national teams in the bootroom.

Spangler In The Streets

DonJulio — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:39:04 GMT

Who is Gooch? What is the group of death? Who is the Honduran Hero? Can you do the Stanky leg?

Will New York City drop knowledge or drop the ball?

On the eve of the draw for South Africa, we hit the streets of the Big Apple to find out what people know about the USMNT.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Watch the entire Live With Landon Event here.

Live With Landon - The Video

DonJulio — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:32:24 GMT

Last Friday Landon Donovan sat down with ESPN's Rob Stone at Niketown NY to discuss the draw with Clint Dempsey, Robbie Rogers, and Jonathan Bornstein, who were streamed in live through Facebook from their various global positions. Kobe Bryant made a special appearance and we hit the streets of New York to get the public's USMNT pulse.

If you missed it, ESPN.com now has the full video of the live show. It can be found here.

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.