simon borg
It was only a matter of time before someone came up with this.
Adidas have come out with a new soccer shoe that actually helps players with specific facets of their game. And that's not just promo copy.
In Kick TV's latest Gear Show, they showcase the new Predator LZs that have a cushion to help with passing and grips on the outside of the boot that enhance dribbling and control.
Find out why the hosts call it a "radically different predator" than any that adidas has produced. And they're not just referring to the colors.
You need to see it to believe it. Check it out below.
They don't happen that often, but when they do we're often at a loss for words.
What are we supposed to call goals scored off of corner kicks?
In Spanish they have "gol olimpico" to describe it and depending on whom you speak to, English speakers use a variation of that "olympic" reference.
But it's never uniform and it's all over the place. Until now. The poll in this blog post will be the final arbiter.
As if the San Jose Earthquakes' victory in Philadelphia on Saturday wasn't thrilling enough, Gus Johnson's call on Steven Lenhart's game-winning goal made it that much more memorable.
Take a listen below and feel the goosebumps for yourself.
It looks like the voice made famous by numerous March Madness moments is showing to be a natural fit for soccer.
We're seeing lots of this lately:
"I think we were the better team, we had more chances, but they did well holding on for the win.” -- FC Dallas' Brek Shea after his team's 1-0 loss to Vancouver on Saturday.
"We didn’t give up many chances. We played well but came up short even though I thought we created more chances. Sometimes, that’s the way it happens, but we kept pressing it. All in all, I was happy with the performance.” -- Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes after his team's 1-0 loss to Portland on Saturday.
“If you look at the game and the number of chances we played, and potential opportunities, possible ... questionable calls that could have led to different results ... We did quite a bit tonight and could have been rewarded a bit more for what we did.” -- Chivas USA manager Robin Fraser after his team's 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
"We should have won the game on the scoreboard. When you create so many chances and play so well, it's just so frustrating. But you have to take a positive from this game. We were by far the better team ... We did everything possible to win the game." -- Colorado Rapids defender Drew Moor after his team's 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy on Saturday.
“I’m disappointed with the result. We had a couple more chances and could’ve won this game, but we just got a point.” -- Columbus Crew manager Robert Warzycha after a 2-2 draw against Houston on Saturday.
That's five MLS teams who feel they didn't deserve the verdict adjudged by the field. All on the same DAY.
You get the picture here. Barcelona fans get it loud and clear these days.
But don't blame the coaches, who see the payoffs that result from betting on defensive "anti-soccer" tactics. Blame the format of competition.
Fans don't want to see teams bunker in? Create a competition format that draws them out. Reward goals scored handsomely. Lavish the team that scores more of them with a bountiful bonus package. The greater the goal differential in your match? The more points you take away in league play.
But fans and soccer officials around the world would rather huff and puff about goal-line technology, which would only have a marginal effect on the game.
There is a much more meaningful discussion that could be taking place. That it's not is perhaps the most revealing sign that soccer fans actually enjoy the status quo but are too hypocritical to admit it.
That's because the status quo allows for cinderella stories. It creates "villains" and even allows them to win now and then. If the good guy won every time, that'd be a lot less compelling, wouldn't it?
Remember those Columbus Crew kits that made news headlines earlier this year?
Well, they made an appearance in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night in a match that will likely go down as one of the greatest in Chelsea FC history: a 2-2 draw in Barcelona which earned Chelsea a spot in the final.
Sure, the Chelsea stripes are horizontal and the Crew's go vertical, but the concept is basically the same. And Columbus Crew president Mark McCullers made sure to let everyone know earlier today:
Was it just me or did Chelsea's kit yesterday look very similar to the Crew secondary kit?
— Mark McCullers (@CrewPrez) April 25, 2012
A German report is pointing to a new fullback for the New York Red Bulls.
Former Italian national team defender Gianluca Zambrotta is said to be talking with NYRB, according to German soccer site 4-4-2.com.
The 35-year-old is out of contract with AC Milan this summer and several online reports state that the Italian giants will not be re-signing him.
Zambrotta has 11 appearances and one goal for the rossoneri this year.
After his latest multi-game suspension in a New York Red Bulls uniform, some in the media have wondered whether it's time for Mexican midfielder Rafael Marquez to move on.
But how many were expecting this?
ESPN Deportes reporter Rafael Ramos tweeted the following on Thursday night: "Everything indicates that Rafa Marquez will end up with Chivas USA. It looks like they will end up paying 50% and 50% together with the Red Bulls. In NY he's the rotten apple."
That tweet was immediately followed up with a response from Chivas USA GM Jose Domene: "Dear Rafa [Ramos], I don't know who your source is, but we have not sought him out. I'd be glad to chat with you when you'd like."
@rafaramosESPN Estimado Rafa, no sé quien sea tu fuente, pero no lo hemos buscado. Encantado de platicar contigo cuando gustes. Abrazo
— Jose Domene (@domene) April 19, 2012
If you've been watching American Idol, you're probably familiar with Hollie Cavanagh, an 18-year-old from Texas who is among the finalists on the show.
Turns out she's originally from Merseyside, England -- her family moved to Texas 10 years ago -- and she's a Liverpool FC fan. Cavanagh is such a diehard supporter that she was planning on attending the Carling Cup final but missed out because of American Idol.
Well, Liverpool apparently heard about this and sent her the special 'good luck' message below which made air on Wednesday night on Fox network TV. The club's American owner, John Henry of NESV, will surely have been happy to see it.
The question now is: What was the more memorable moment? Her "surprise" to see Jamie Carragher on the big screen or the live audience's reaction (or lack thereof) to what they had just witnessed?
The city of El Paso, Texas, is looking to spur economic development and an MLS stadium may be part of the plan.
Yesterday the El Paso city council was presented with a list of potential projects that could be included in a future bond issue, according to this report in the El Paso Times.
Part of that proposal is a $100 to $120 million soccer stadium, which the article states would be contingent on securing an MLS team.
The idea is for the bond issue to be approved in July and then go to vote in November.
Would you like to see an MLS expansion team in El Paso? Comment below.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Rafael Marquez has come under intense scrutiny for the play that resulted in a broken clavicle for San Jose's Shea Salinas last weekend (watch it here).
But while there has been widespread criticism of the Mexican international, here's a take that hasn't proven as common and it comes from ESPN Deportes Radio Formula in Mexico.
On-air reporter Mauricio Pedroso analyzes the video this way (translation follows):
"No way. Rafa is marking as is typical on a corner kick with the bad luck that Salinas is falling and even worst luck that at the moment of falling his shoulder makes impact with all the weight of both Salinas and Marquez … The most clear example is in the NFL. In the NFL defenders know when they capture the quarterback they know exactly how to make him fall so that the weight falls directly onto the shoulder … But this is not the case here."
If a sanction comes down from the MLS Disciplinary Committee, Pedroso says it would be "unjust."
