This past Sunday July 6th my team had a match in the middle of the day. The game time was changed to 12 noon because we all had to share one field. So I had to change some family time events around so that I could get a little run in at the park and help my team out. We loaded up the car with our son's wagon and toys to keep him occupied while I played. About 5 minutes after I got to the field the referee blew his whistle to get the game started. Everything seemed to be so rushed and last minute up to this point and previous to leaving the house I almost did not want to play but once that whistle blew I was ready to play and was very happy to be out of the pitch knocking the ball around. Our opponent quickly went up two goals to nil and at 15 minutes my game was done. I went into a challenge with another play which I felt was more in my favor. Without even thinking of a risk of collision I tried to clear the ball out of our defending third. As soon as I swung for the ball I noticed the opposing player was a bit closer than expected so I made sure to position my leg to reduce the risk of injury. For some reason the once 65/35 ball favored in my direction now was a closer challenge. I felt as though I got wacked in the shinguard as I felt pressure in my shin just on the inside of my shin. But I was confident that I would be OK because the opposing player hit my shinguard. I fell to the ground in a bit of pain from the collision and held my leg waiting for the sting to go away.... The sting never went away!

This weekend will determine the Scudetto holder.  Inter is two points clear of Roma.  If the Gods shall favor Roma then we will have a new champion.  I feel like Inter is strugling to keep the ball out of it's own goal and droping attainable points.  Roma seems to be picking up speed.  If the champions can get all 3 points then it's their's for the 3rd year in a row.  Personally I have enjoyed the late surgence and attacking play of Roma, and on top of it they are minus there tallismanic figure in Totti.  Vuchinic has stepped up and shown his class to replace Capitano Totti.

I believe Inter will get the necessary result and will retain the title.  However if Inter had to play Roma in a head to head competition, I feel like Roma would have the AzzuroNeri scrambling and picking the ball out of their own net.  

Oh,...wait a minute.......Copa Italia? They will be pitted against each other.  Surely Roma will grab some silverware there. 

Ciao,

 TAM

Striker Soccer Supply now has some great gear for Manchester United and Chelsea on AuthenticSoccer.com. You can even get the players soccer shoes customized with your name.

I would love to see Manchester win it, being a fan.  They, by my standards have the worlds greatest player and a legend in the making in Ronaldo.  Also, United have shown the most consistent form by any team in Europe.  My loyalties are to United and go back 17 years and it was my pick in early September to win the EPL and Champions League after viewing the chemistry and the depth of the squad.  But, as you know the most in form team wins.  I feel like Chelsea is peaking at the right moment and actually playing attractive soccer.  Huh....go figure?  The last few Chelsea games have been quite pleasant to watch.  I can't believe I'm saying this but Grant seems to have his team sheet sorted out and the players are playing for each other.  Also, you might want to throw in the emotions of the team to support Lampard and his loss, no respect for the coach or the team, the continuous injuries, and lastly.....and most importantly, they've never won it!   Chelsea seems to be a team that has a lot to prove in bringing home the trophy with the big funny ears. 

 I say go United! But this will be a cracker!!!

TAM

As you know we all have the perfect technical abilities such as Ronaldo, the tactics of Lippi, the charisma of  "The Special One", and the class of Beckenbauer.  Psst.....ya right! Easily said from from our comfy armchairs.  In the coming posts I will shine my light, and hopefully yours, on areas in the game, such as, transfers (Messi's $126 million possible transfer to Chelsea FC), player actions (Dovan taunting the Chivas bench), coaching decisions (Rikard leaving Henry out), owner monarchies (War at the Anfield with Hicks and Gillete), offical's calls (Mardona's no call on the "Hand of God" goal, and the people's (fan's) desires for their beloved team (The USA Men winning their first world cup).   Hind sight is 20/20 and we all are guilty of being experts on controversies that have happened.  I would love to open dicussion on the past, but only realize that it can be used as precedent for the future.  I would like to hear from the people their predictions and ideas for a better soccer world.  One that understands one language, one passion, , one love, and one game, that can make time stand still all around this great "Mother Earth." Eyes focused on a green rectangle roughly 90 X 120 meters and one goal post on either end.  It is this space between the white lines that define this rectangle, or pitch that  our discussions begin and will probably never end.

Comfy in my chair,

 TAM

AuthenitcSoccer.com now has in stock the new Nike Total 90 Laser II and the Nike Total 90 Laser II K. For the first release there is 1 synthetic shoe and 2 Kangaroo Leather Total 90's. Most professional players will wear the Dark Army/Volt color. The fit of the shoe is much better compared to the First Edition Laser. The biggest changes are the outsole (simialr to the 2004 Total 90 II) and the strikezone.

You can win a pair of total 90 Laser II's by posting your video for the "STRIKE iT" Competion located in the contest portion of our Online Soccer Discussion Board.

Striker Soccer Supply is now can now customize soccer shoes with your name, number, team logo, or really whatever you would like. Check out a couple of shoes we did for our own collection. The designs are almost endless. Remember if you get your shoes from Striker we can make your wildest dreams come true.

Striker

AuthenticSoccer.com can now customize your shoes with your number, or team logo. This product can be applied to footwear, balls, goalkeeping gloves, etc...

Our Puma v1.06 Firm Ground Soccer Shoe is the lighest shoe on the market. Puma has updated the fit and material of this shoe since its introduction in 2006 making it more durable and protective.

Upper:
Very Soft Kangaroo Leather with fleece padding. Features side lacing with integrated Lace Wrap System, which lets the upper mold to the foot for a snug fit and clean kicking surface. TPU injected external heel frame unit.

Outsole:
Injected TPU with full frame carbon fiber plate and one-piece injected rear foot with integrated heel unit for grip and stability. For use on firm, natural surfaces.

Weight:
(6.8 oz.)

The new adidas adiPure is in the store and on the feet of Kaká.                                                                                  

The shiny K-leather is incredible elegance. The name “adiPURE” symbolizes the main features of the handcrafted football boot: pureness, simplicity, naturalness and elegance.
However, the key benefit of this boot is its fantastic fit. The high-quality materials, soft leather and pre-moulded sockliner provide outstanding comfort as well as an excellent, natural feel for the ball. The adiPURE football boots in black/white and white/black, together with matching items.The launch of the adiPURE line marks a further milestone in the adidas football segment. Alongside the popular adidas PREDATOR models and the various F50 football boots, adidas is now extending its comprehensive range of innovative and highly functional football boots with the adiPURE.

All the players wearing adiPURE are true footballers like Kaká and Robin van Persie who know and live the game and inspire their team colleagues with their natural elegance.
adidas players relying on the new adiPURE football boots include: Kaká (AC Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC), Frank Lampard (Chelsea FC), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool FC), Vicente (FC Valencia), Alessandro del Piero (Juventus Turin), Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyon), Christoph Leitgeb (Red Bull Salzburg), Yoann Gourcuff (AC Milan) and David Trézéguet (Juventus Turin).