USA 1-0 For the Ages

Team USA's Historic Victory Over Algeria is Beyond Measure

The USA National Soccer Team got its biggest ever win yesterday. It was not against a major opponent like Brazil or Italy. It was in a group from which they were expected to at least advance.

But things don't always go according to plan

Down 0-1 to England, they had to come back. Down 0-2 to Slovenia, they came back. Down to both England & Slovenia (as both would've advanced with a USA draw or loss) - they came back.

They slayed every monster, hurdled every obstacle in their way: from a phantom call that disallowed an amazing Edu strike against Slovenia, to an unseen offside call that nullified a powerful Dempsey shot, or the far post that blocked another; the various saves by the scrappy Algerian keeper or the shots that went every which way but in.

Time after time versus Algeria, they kept attacking - they kept shooting, they kept defending, they kept playing - they never quit!

In the end all the Yamks needed was 1: 1 goal, 1 win. And they got it from #10.

The United States won its first World Cup match in eight years and finished atop its first-round group for the first time since the original World Cup in 1930.

But it meant more than that.

It will be talked about along with some of the greatest moments in sports history, and maybe even American history. For years to come parents and teachers will relate this tale to youngsters as a life lesson: what could happen when you never give up.

Arsenal 10/11 Away Soccer Jersey

Nike Considered Technology combines with high performance
and club heritage elements for new Gunners jersey.

We're glad to have the

Official Nike Arsenal FC 10/11 Away Soccer Jersey

The new Arsenal away jersey for 2010-11 season combines elements of Arsenal’s history with new age technology as every shirt is made entirely from recycled polyester, each created from up to eight plastic water bottles as part of Nike’s ‘Considered Design’ program.

Inspired by the 1970’s, the new away jersey is yellow, echoing the days of Charlie George and Frank McLintock, but also features redcurrant pinstripes and cuffs as a nod to the Woolwich Arsenal days - creating a new away jersey that takes from different generations of Arsenal Football Club’s heritage.

Nike’s ‘Considered Design’ program aims to create performance products that minimize environmental impact by reducing waste during the design and development process, uses environmentally preferred materials, and eliminates toxic materials.

To make the kits, Nike uses discarded water bottles destined for landfill sites in Japan and Taiwan, where they can take up to 500 years to decompose. This saves precious raw materials and reduces energy consumption by up to 30% compared to conventional fabrics.

The bottles are placed in a large washing machine to clean them and get rid of labels before they are chopped into tiny flakes and melted down into a yarn that is ultimately spun to make the fabric for the jerseys and shorts.

Use of recycled polyester across its new range of club kits means Nike has saved nearly 13 million plastic water bottles - a total of around 254,000 kg of polyester waste - enough to cover more than 29 football pitches, and to stretch over 3,000 kilometers if laid out end-to-end.

The process is used for all shirts, whether worn by the players or available to fans. Other clubs using Nike kits using recycled materials include FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Celtic. On the international stage, the technology is used for Brazil, Portugal, The Netherlands, USA and Australia.

“As we look at how we design and develop products and run our global business, it’s not enough to be solving the challenges of today,” said Nike spokesman Charlie Brooks. “We are designing for the sustainable economy of tomorrow, and for us that means using fewer resources, more sustainable materials and renewable energy to produce new products. We’re proud to be a sponsor of Arsenal and to help them achieve their environmental goals.”

Considering the environment doesn’t mean sacrificing the renowned high performance of Nike’s kits, and the new Arsenal away kit has been engineered to give players a greater competitive advantage than ever before, keeping players drier and more comfortable, allowing them to maintain their optimum body temperature and perform at their peak on the pitch.

The improved Nike Dri-Fit® fabric, now 13% lighter than previous kits, helps to quickly evaporate moisture by drawing through the fabric to the surface and keep players dry.

Innovative ventilation zones are placed along each side of the jersey to enhance breathability, by up to 7% compared to previous kits, and allow air to pass across the whole torso. These zones have up to 200 tiny laser cut holes, backed by Nike’s innovative halo application which prevents ripping without reducing air flow. An additional ventilation zone is placed below the waistband on the shorts at the base of the spine.

The jersey’s new double knit structure gives it a sleeker appearance, while offering 10% more stretch, and also boasts a new dynamic fit, cut to follow the natural contours of the body while allowing for maximum airflow and movement.

Inside the shirt on the back of the club crest is the quote: “Victoria, Concordia, Crescit.”

The “Victoria, Concordia, Crescit” has been Arsenal's club motto since it was coined in the final matchday programme of the 1947/48 League Championship winning season, when 'Marksman' (aka Harry Homer), the programme editor of the day, wrote:
"...my mind seeks an apt quotation with which to close this season which has been such a glorious one for Tom Whittaker, Joe Mercer and all connected with The Gunners. Shall we turn for once to Latin? 'Victoria Concordia Crescit'. Translation: 'Victory grows out of harmony.'"

Umbro USA vs. England T-Shirt

Umbro and 365 Inc. teamed up to hold a contest to determine which fan could design a commemorative t-shirt for the USA/England match.

We are proud to give you

The Umbro USA vs. England Soccer T-Shirt

We're quite pleased with the result!

100% cotton with original USA/England artwork screened at front and Umbro logo at back.

Barcelona 10/11 Away Soccer Jersey

The La Liga 09/10 Campions are now ready to take their beautiful fútbol show on the road - and what a show the road will see with the addition of #7.

We are proud to give you the new

Official Nike Barcelona 10/11 Away Soccer Jersey!

The new Barcelona Away Soccer Jersey 10/11 is primarily a cool mint, with the Blaugrana - blue & red - divided across a cool chest block, with the Catalan flag on the back.

The last time FC Barcelona donned a green away kit was during the 1993/94 season, when manager Pep Guardiola was playing alongside such Barcelona greats as Romario and Hristo Stoichkov.

New Zealand 10/12 Home Soccer Jersey #

The All Whites are excited about playing on the world's greatest stage this summer, and they have a shirt that's worthy of their name.

Introducing the

Official Nike New Zealand Home Soccer Jersey!

Just like their name, this shirt is a neat all-white, with a sharp V collar, and the famous fern embroidered over the heart.

Made of Nike’s advanced Sphere Dry & Dri-FIT® fabric, which keeps you drier, cooler and lighter by drawing sweat from the body to the fabric’s surface, while its three-dimensional construction gives more air space around the skin to reduce clinging, and keeping you cheering on your team comfortably.

All of Nike's new jerseys are made of recycled plastic bottles - 100% recycled polyester. Evolved construction and materials also significantly reduce weight. Each jersey has an individual serial number for authenticity.

FC Barcelona 10/11 Home Soccer Jersey

After their historic sextuple (yes, it is a word) the 09/10 season was a bit of a disappointment for Barça. So, the Cataláns have made a huge splash and brought in one of Spain's top strikers - David Villa. And, now the blaugranas have unveiled the shirt Villa and co. will be defending at the Camp Nou for the 10/11 campaign - in which they hope to get more than one trophy.

We give you the

Official Nike FC Barcelona 10/11 Home Soccer Jersey

The new jersey's classic vertical stripes are a little wider, the collar and cuffs are trimmed in bright yellow - a first for the club (perhaps in honor of their national team's upcoming South Africa campaign) The Catalan flag is at the back neck, and "Mes que un club" (More than a club) is screened on the left sleeve.

Nike Elite World Cup Soccer Boots

The Boots Nike's players - Cristiano Ronaldo, Landon Donovan, Wayne Rooney - will wear at South Africa for the biggest sporting event in history!

Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II FG World Cup Soccer Shoes

The time is now to change the course of history. The Mercurial Vapor Superfly II FG WC is equipped with a carbon fiber outsole plate for greater speed when attacking the defense.

Upper Features: The Superfly II has an ultra-thin Teijin upper that's lined with Flywire filaments in a soccer-specific cabling pattern to deliver a precise fit and optimal support. Asymmetrical lacing enlarges the contact zone.
INSOLE: The Superfly II has a contoured sockliner with a Superfly EVA insole.

Sole Features: Carbon fiber composite plate is the lightest and strongest outsole Nike has to offer. It has a pressure-activated adaptive traction system for speed in all conditions. The difference between a soft and firm ground stud is 3mm. So Nike has developed a new stud that extends 3 mm when ground is soft for increased toe-off acceleration and traction. These two longer studs in the forefoot also prevent slippage and create the most comfortable feeling Mercurial ever.
These new toe-off traction spikes enable extra speed bursts, just like traditional track spikes. Traction pad ensures grip no matter which way you move. Weigh 7.8 ounces.

Nike Total90 Laser Elite World Cup Soccer Shoes

Upper Features: Ultrathin Teijin, which is lightweight and durable. Innovative instep pods ensure even pressure on the ball at impact for accuracy on power shots. Raised swerve fins create friction on instep strikes to increase rate of ball spin.
INSOLE: EVA foam for heel comfort.

Sole Features: Carbon fiber outsole with direct-injected bladed studs for traction on firm, natural surfaces. Carbon reinforced chassis engineered for exceptional energy return and strength. To keep the weight low, this version of the Total90 does not have an external heel counter. Weighs 8.2 ounces

Nike Mercurial Vapor VI FG World Cup Soccer Shoes

Upper Features: Dawoo Synthetic lace cover creates a large, inviting strike zone. Teijin synthetic microfiber adjusts to the shape of the foot.
INSOLE: The Vapor VI has a contoured sockliner with a Vapor EVA insole.

Sole Features: Glass fiber composite plate is the lightweight and exceptionally strong. Dual density injected studs and a new Vapor Traction pattern allows effortless cutting and instant acceleration. Weighs 7.6 ounces.

Each pair of Nike World Cup boots come with a unique user-code that allows online access to Nike Soccer+, where you will find accuracy training drills and expert tuition provided by the coaching team at Juventus FC. The Nike Soccer+ digital experience also has a coaching session from Fernando Torres of Liverpool FC.

As an added bonus: Boots come in a special Elite package and with a ventilated boot bag.