Mark Van Bommel, Clarence Seedorf and Luca Antonini

See below for the official release:

Somewhere between innovation and tradition, true to the style of adidas and AC Milan – for the 2011/12 jersey, the three-stripe label has decided to combine its most innovative technology with a design reminiscent of the Rossoneri strips of the early twentieth century.

The launch, too, was structured along the same lines – journalists from the traditional media and bloggers gathered at adidas Italy’s Brand Center in Monza but Milan fans from across Italy and the world were also able to attend the unveiling of the new strip and to ask the guests in attendance questions by means of live streaming at adidas.com.

Guests at the event

• Adriano Galliani – CEO and Vice President of AC Milan
• Salem Obaidalla, – Senior Vice President Commercial Operations (Europe and Russian Federation) of Emirates
• Jean Michel Granier – CEO of adidas Italy

The star models of the new kit were Rossoneri players Clarence Seedorf, Mark Van Bommel and Luca Antonini.  The event was hosted by familiar television personality, and avid AC Milan fan, Daniele Bossari.  The strip will be worn for the first time on May 15th for the penultimate game of the league against Cagliari.

Design of the strip

AC Milan Jersey

• Reverting once again to the thinner 2cm-wide stripes compared to the 9cm-wide ones of last year
• There are 21 stripes in total, 11 of which are black and 10 red
• The white crew neck stands out with three stripes on the sleeves, which are white for the first time, on a red inset
• The back of the collar bears the words “Associazione Calcio Milan” underneath the Italian flag to highlight the fact that Milan is one of the best-known symbols of Italy around the world
• Reference to the colors of the Italian flag can be found on the insets at the sides on the front of the shirt as well as on the shorts
  and socks

Technology:

Next season, AC Milan players will be able to choose whether to wear the TECHFIT(tm) PowerWEB uniform as a single layer or
whether to wear the base layers under the FORMOTION(tm) uniform, which has a traditional fit.

TECHFIT(tm) PowerWEB is the most innovative technology used for sportswear. Thanks to the use of special compression fabrics and the application of TPU strips at specific areas of the body, the TECHFIT(tm) layers are able to concentrate muscular energy to the maximum to give the athlete explosive power, acceleration and resistance, whilst reducing muscle vibration, improving the athlete’s posture, the feel of their body and level of core stability in order to guarantee not just any performance but record-breaking performance.  Worn all together (shirt, shorts and socks), the TECHFIT(tm) PowerWEB kit is able to increase players’ power by 5.3%*, their jump height by 4%*, their sprinting speed by 1.1%* and their efficiency by 0.8%*.   adidas TECHFIT(tm) PowerWEB kits, worn as a single layer, are 45% lighter than the classic two-piece kit worn together.

The ForMotion(tm) strip sees the use of three-dimensional and elastic fabrics which adapt perfectly to the body of the player and subsequently improve the fit of the
strip in order to optimize movement, comfort and increase freedom of action.  The addition of adidas ClimaCool(tm) and adidas FlowMapping(tm) ensures optimum breathability and helps the Rossoneri players to maintain an ideal body temperature, even under pressure.

adidas is the leading brand in world football and provides the official ball for all major tournaments organised by UEFA, FIFA and the IOC. The partnership between adidas and AC Milan is one of the most solid and long-lasting relationships – having begun in 1998, it has been renewed up until 2017 with an extension to the rights as
Master licensee. A new feature is to be added to the many synergies already in place, from the Milan Junior Camp to the activities which help to make Fondazione Milan projects a reality.

James has been coaching for over 10 years. He started his career with the Liverpool FC Youth Academy and coached them to a FA Youth Cup Final. James has now joined DMS 11 in Southern California and is a freelance writer for AVID Soccer.

Teams such as Barcelona and Manchester United have recently been winning titles and Championships with an active playing squad of up to 25 Professionals. Back in the 1960′s and 70′s Liverpool FC dominated English and European Soccer using just 13-15 players.

Squad rotation is now hugely important to coaches. The physical, technical and mental demands at the top are so high. This push for increased team numbers has filtered down to youth soccer. For me it provokes many thoughts, chiefly the all important and sensitive issue of kids playing time/opportunities on the field.

I follow the belief that the strongest players should play and be given the best chance to develop and shine. My background, in football, is working at the professional level. At that level, the objective was quite clear – help produce a player (s) who can play for the clubs first team. The importance of the individual can often, therefore, outweigh the development of a team.

The talented player needs a training platform that is often only provided by a squad. Sufficient numbers are needed to facilitate effective practices that are both challenging and realistic. As a coach, I tend to learn most about my players during small and full sided games. The competitive weekend fixture is also the time when they will be recognized individually and collectively. It’s simple, without the numbers a team cannot play.

I was guided by a Dutch Technical Director during my time as Liverpool Football Clubs Academy U18 coach. He championed the need for a larger playing squad, based on the theory that it would stimulate competition for places in the starting eleven and enhance specific player recovery. He wanted a 2 team system, where the strongest players would play matches, and the remaining squad would train together at the same time.

A good ethos at the Elite level. The better individuals are playing and given the opportunity to demonstrate their talent. The remainder of the squad are challenged to reach the ‘Team’ – Psychological strength and focus often becomes equally important as technical ability.

My future is now. I have a new challenge and environment to work in. I’m delighted to be coaching youth soccer in the US. It’s a great opportunity for me to share my knowledge and ideas. It’s very much a period of discovery and change for me. The game is the same, but the demands and expectations are very different. I’m learning every day. I must appreciate that there is a greater need for inclusion. All the boys in my current squad should be given the chance to play.

It goes back to ‘Numbers.’ I strongly believe in quality not quantity, improvement not enlargement. I have a responsibility to provide opportunities and satisfy the Director of Coaching and the parents at my Club.

America’s leading soccer media brand will showcase these clubs through important live matches that carry domestic league title implications as well as archived, classic matches that highlight European soccer’s most storied, successful clubs and most intense rivalries. The aforementioned clubs have combined to win 166 domestic, top-flight league titles and 32 European Cups (UEFA Champions League titles).

“Clash of the Giants” week will also feature ten of the world’s 12 most valuable soccer clubs, totaling a combined net worth of over $9 billion and generating over $3.7 billion in revenue through the 2009-10 season.

Three of soccer’s grandest club rivalries take center stage during “Clash of the Giants” week as Chelsea hosts Manchester United on Tuesday, March 1, Juventus hosts AC Milan in the Serie A on Saturday, March 5, and Liverpool hosts Manchester United on Sunday, March 6. FOX Soccer’s Super Sunday + will preview and recap Liverpool-Manchester United on Sunday at 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET.

Manchester United-Liverpool is the most storied rivalry in English soccer as both clubs have won an English record 18 top-flight, domestic titles. Liverpool’s five European Championships are most among English teams, with Manchester United having won three. Premier League leader Manchester United, which has won 11 of the first 18 Premier League titles since it was created in 1992, has remarkably lost only twice over all competitions in the 2010-11 campaign.

Earlier in “Clash of the Giants” week, Manchester United travels to reigning Premier League champion Chelsea on Tuesday, March 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET in the latest edition of their burgeoning rivalry that has seen the clubs split the past six Premier League titles. A special edition of FOX Soccer Match Day will preview and analyze this titanic clash at 2 p.m. ET.

Arsenal, currently second in the Premier League, also features prominently on FOX Soccer Channel’s live schedule. It hosts a fifth-round FA Cup replay against Leyton Orient – which kept this tie alive with a thrilling 89th-minute goal last weekend – on Wednesday, March 2, with a view towards creating another tantalizing clash with Manchester United in the FA Cup quarterfinals. Arsenal then faces Sunderland to kick off a Premier League doubleheader on Saturday, March 5.

Serie A leader AC Milan begins “Clash of the Giants” week on FOX Soccer Channel by hosting Napoli, second place in Serie A, at the San Siro.

Archived Manchester United matches to air during this week include its 2001 Charity Shield meeting with Liverpool, its decisive Champions League Round-of-16 showdown with AC Milan from March 10, 2010, its 2004 Community Shield grudge match against Arsenal, and a 1996 fifth-round FA Cup derby with Manchester City. Other archived matches featuring England’s big four clubs includes Liverpool vs. Arsenal from Aug. 15, Chelsea vs. Arsenal from Oct. 3, and the 2002 FA Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal.

Barcelona, the consensus best club in the world at present, and Real Madrid, considered the best club of all-time, will be showcased through FOX Soccer’s UEFA Champions League archives in March’s first week. FOX Soccer Channel will air Barcelona’s 2010 Champions League semifinal with Inter Milan and a 2009 group stage match between Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Not only did Inter Milan beat Barcelona in last year’s Champions League semifinal on the way to capturing last year’s European Cup, but it also won Serie A in 2010. Its derby match with AC Milan from Jan. 24, 2010 is a featured, classic match that revives the thrill behind its title run.

In an exciting twist, FOX Soccer will also empower soccer fans at home to direct its “Clash of the Giants” week programming through the “Clash of the Giants: Viewer’s Choice Match” poll at www.foxsoccer.com. Beginning Sunday, Feb. 27, fans can go online and vote to watch one of the following matches on FOX Soccer Channel on Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET – the Chelsea-Liverpool Premier League match from Feb. 6, 2011, the 1971 FA Cup final between Arsenal and Liverpool, and the 1994 FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea.

For a complete list of FOX Soccer’s match programming during “Clash of the Giants” week (Feb. 28-March 6), please see below or visit www.foxsoccer.com.

FOX Soccer’s “Clash of the Giants” Week Live Television Schedule (Feb. 28-March 6):

Home team listed first; all times Eastern (subject to change).

• Monday, February 28
  • Italian Serie A – AC Milan vs. Napoli, 2:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 1
  • English Premier League – Chelsea vs. Manchester United, 2:30 p.m.
  • CONCACAF Champions League (Quarterfinal, 2nd leg) – Real Salt Lake vs. Columbus Crew, 10 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 2
  • FA Cup (fifth round replay) – Arsenal vs. Leyton Orient, 2:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 5
  • English Premier League – Arsenal vs. Sunderland, 10:00 a.m.
  • English Premier League – Manchester City vs. Wigan, 12:30 p.m.
  • Italian Serie A – Juventus vs. AC Milan, 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 6
  • English Premier League – Liverpool vs. Manchester United, 8:30 a.m.
  • English Premier League – Wolverhampton vs. Tottenham, 11:00 a.m.
  • Italian Serie A – Lazio vs. Palermo, 2:30 p.m.
  • Italian Serie A – Inter Milan vs. Genoa, 5:00 p.m. (same day delay)

“Clash of the Giants” week archived matches from the FOX Soccer library:

• English Premier League
  • Thursday, March 3 – Tottenham vs. Chelsea (April 17, 2010), 3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 3 – Chelsea vs. Arsenal (Oct. 3, 2010), 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday, March 4 – Liverpool vs. Arsenal (Aug. 15, 2010), 3:00 p.m.
• Italian Serie A
  • Thursday, March 3 – Inter Milan vs. AC Milan (Jan. 24, 2010), 1:00 p.m.
  • Friday, March 4 – Roma vs. Inter Milan (Sept. 25, 2010), 1:00 p.m.
• UEFA Champions League
  • Monday, Feb. 28 – Lyon vs. Bordeaux (March 30, 2010), 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 1 – Real Madrid vs. AC Milan (Oct. 21, 2009), 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 2 – Manchester United vs. AC Milan (March 10, 2010), 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 3 – FC Barcelona vs. Inter Milan (April 28, 2010), 5:00 p.m.
• FA Archives
  • Wednesday, March 2 – Manchester United vs. Manchester City (FA Cup 5th Round; Feb. 18, 1996), 11:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 3 – Arsenal vs. Manchester United (Community Shield; Aug. 8, 2004), 11:00 p.m.
  • Friday, March 4 – Arsenal vs. Chelsea (FA Cup final; May 4, 2002), 11:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 5 – Liverpool vs. Manchester United (Charity Shield; Aug. 12, 2001), 11:00 p.m.
• “Clash of the Giants: Viewer’s Choice Match”
  • Friday, March 4 – Match TBD (by poll participants on Foxsoccer.com), 8 p.m.

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About FOX Soccer

FOX Soccer, part of the FOX Sports Media Group, offers the most comprehensive multi-media coverage of world-class soccer available in the United States. Encompassing FOX Soccer Channel, FOX Soccer Plus, FOXsoccer.com and FOXsoccer.tv, the network serves as the primary television and online destination in the U.S. for elite club competitions including England’s Barclays Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. Matches from Italy’s Serie A, Women’s Professional Soccer, and the Australian Hyundai A-League are also featured prominently, in addition to such global tournaments as the English FA Cup, CONCACAF Champions League™ and CONCACAF Gold Cup. Flagship FOX Soccer Channel is Nielsen-rated and available to service providers in high-definition, reaching more than 38 million cable and satellite households nationwide. FOX Soccer Plus is a premium network complementing FOX Soccer Channel by providing the best international sports experience in high-definition. In addition to live, exclusive soccer matches from the best leagues in the world, FOX Soccer Plus also delivers premium rugby from the Magners League, Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup among other competitions. Live match coverage is also available online via premium broadband service FOXsoccer.tv, and for fans on-the-go, via the new FOX Soccer iPhone app. For more information – as well as news, features, analysis stats and more – visit one of America’s most-trafficked online soccer destinations at FOXsoccer.com, and the network’s Facebook page and Twitter feed (@FOXSoccer).

The relationship between PUMA and the Cameroon Football Federation was first formed in 1996. In the years that followed, PUMA developed for Cameroon the first sleeveless kit for a football team, the first all-in-one kit and the first continental kit called the PUMA Africa Unity Kit which launched in 2010. This latest football innovation raised money for biodiversity causes in Africa in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), with Cameroon using the kit as a third kit at the 2010 World Cup™ in South Africa with Ghana, Ivory Coast and Algeria.

“We are very happy to announce the continuation of our partnership with the Cameroon Football Federation,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of PUMA. “During the fourteen years we have worked with them, their forward thinking has allowed us to undertake and execute several exciting and innovative projects that simply would not be possible with other federations. They are one of our key partners in World football, and we have some great ideas that we look forward to unveiling in the coming months and years.”

“PUMA is a key partner for us, and when the previous agreement concluded there was never any question that we wouldn’t re-sign with them,” said Iya Mohammed, President of the Cameroon Football Federation. “PUMA understands implicitly what we want to achieve, and it is a privilege to work with a company with the same values and ambition. We look forward to working with them for many years to follow.”

In addition to the Cameroon national team sponsorship, PUMA also sponsors individual Cameroon players including captain and record goalscorer striker Samuel Eto’o, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Stephane Mbia, Landry Nguemo and Mohammadou Idrissou.

In keeping with PUMA’s mission to be the most sustainable sportslifestyle brand, the Cameroon Football Federation will take a carbon neutral stance for the entirety of the partnership. Using UNEP’s carbon neutral standard, PUMA and the Cameroon Football Federation will offset the carbon footprint of the Federation through the next FIFA World Cups™.

PUMA’s commitment to Africa extends beyond team and player partnerships, as well. PUMA will continue to support a number of grass roots initiatives across the continent. Coinciding with this announcement, 10,000 durable footballs were delivered to Africa following a joint pledge in collaboration with Intersport® earlier this year, a third of which will go to football projects in Cameroon. PUMA was also the official sponsor and fanwear supplier of the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola.

For more information about PUMA Football, please visit www.pumafootball.com.

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“Soccer fans know that each national league has something unique and exciting to offer, and AC Milan undoubtedly delivers the best of Italian club fútbol,” said Rodrigo Lombello, COO of GolTV. “As the sport continues to grow in popularity in the U.S., GolTV remains the go-to network for the soccer viewer with the widest range of league programming and most up-to-the-minute soccer news coverage.”

GolTV will take viewers further into the action with more AC Milan programming every Thursday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET. First, the half-hour show AC Milan Classics will bring viewers up to speed on the past week in AC Milan match play. Then GolTV will deliver the in-depth magazine show, AC Milan Weekly, at 6:30 p.m. ET featuring 30 minutes of news and updates on Italian Serie A soccer.

“GolTV is a fantastic partner capable of enhancing the visibility of AC Milan, the most successful club in the world,” said Carlo Pozzali, CEO of MP & Silva America. “Soccer is developing dramatically in U.S. and through additional exposure on GolTV we’ll offer all fans a comprehensive, unmatched range of programming.”

This coverage of the best of the Italian Serie A league joins the ranks of GolTV’s premium line-up, which includes over 250 matches from action-packed tournaments and top international soccer leagues such as Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro and Campeonato Paulista in high definition and premium sound.

More information and current programming schedules are available online at www.goltv.tv.

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About GolTV

GolTV delivers live and prime time coverage of the world’s highest level of professional soccer. Founded in 2003 and led by Chief Executive Officer and former international fútbol superstar, Enzo Francescoli, GolTV is the country’s only independently-owned bilingual soccer network and the first channel conceived and operated by professional athletes. GolTV is the original all-soccer channel with unsurpassed exclusive TV rights, featuring over 6,000 hours of pure soccer action and a diverse mix of soccer programming, including the country’s only weeknight soccer news program, GolTV News. GolTV is one of the country’s most popular networks among Hispanic viewers as well as marketers targeting all U.S. soccer fans. The company recently launched GolTV Móvil, offering mobile phone subscribers exclusive news, updates, scores and video of their favorite teams, leagues and tournaments on the go. For more information, visit www.goltv.tv.

Spencer, 39, was introduced formally at a news conference Wednesday morning in Portland.

Following an 18-year playing career, Spencer joined Houston in 2006 and served as an assistant under head coach Dominic Kinnear for nearly five seasons. He helped lead the Dynamo to back-to-back MLS Cup championships in 2006 and 2007 and four consecutive playoff appearances, including a run to the Western Conference finals in 2009. From 2006-08, Spencer also coached the Dynamo Reserves, guiding Houston’s reserve squad to the 2008 MLS Reserve Division championship.

Prior to beginning his MLS coaching career, Spencer played professional soccer for such noted English clubs as Chelsea, Everton and Queens Park Rangers, and Scotland’s Rangers. In MLS, Spencer starred for the Colorado Rapids from 2001-04, becoming the only player to be the team’s MVP and scoring leader in the same season more than once.

Spencer, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, began his professional playing career in 1987 with Rangers. As a striker, he played for several top-flight clubs over 14 seasons in Scotland and England, most notably amassing 43 goals with English-power Chelsea (1992-96).

In 2001, Spencer joined MLS with the Colorado Rapids, where he played until he finished his career in 2004. During his time with Colorado, he played in 88 games, and his 37 goals ranks among franchise career leaders. Spencer twice led the Rapids in goals scored, set the club’s single-season mark for goals (14) and career mark for assists (17), was a two-time MLS Best XI selection (2001, 2003) and was a finalist for the league’s MVP award in 2003. During the 2003 season, Spencer scored in six straight games, one away from tying an MLS record.

The two-time MLS All-Star (2001, 2003) captained the Rapids to three straight playoff appearances from 2002-04. Spencer was inducted to the Rapids Gallery of Honor on Aug. 30, 2009.

During his playing career, Spencer also earned 14 caps with the Scotland National Team from 1994-97. He earned his first cap in front of a home crowd against Russia in 1994, and his international career was also highlighted by the 1996 European Championship in England.

Spencer also played for Lai Sun of Hong Kong while on loan in the late 1980s, scoring 20 goals in 24 games.

John and his wife, Amanda, have three children, Brad, Chantelle and Dylan. John and his family are in the process of relocating to Portland.

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About MLS Portland Timbers

On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded Portland the league’s 18th franchise to begin play in the top-flight professional soccer league starting in 2011. The Portland Timbers will mark their debut MLS season in 2011 in a significantly renovated PGE Park that will create one of the most exciting and authentic soccer environments in the country. New stadium amenities will include better sightlines closer to the action, new premium seating on the east side of the field, a new club lounge and a new entry plaza and team store. The Timbers have been a beloved part of the Portland sports landscape since their early beginnings in the North American Soccer League in 1975, launching the era of “Soccer City USA” in the Rose City. www.PortlandMLS2011.com

About Major League Soccer

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS kicked off its 15th season on March 25, 2010. MLS features 16 clubs each playing 30 regular season matches in 2010. Those teams include Chicago Fire; Colorado Rapids; Chivas USA; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; Kansas City Wizards; Los Angeles Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; 2009 MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Toronto FC; and, in their inaugural season, Philadelphia Union. Expansion teams in Vancouver and Portland will debut in 2011 and in Montreal in 2012. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official website at www.MLSsoccer.com.

The commitment includes a significant, lender-endorsed, equity investment at closing, followed by additional and larger infusions of cash based on a disciplined process so as not to unduly dilute the existing shareholders. After a thorough review and analysis of the club, the firm believes the level of its investment is more than sufficient for the club to be operated successfully and for the manager to have an appropriate reserve of cash to use for key, off-season roster moves. In addition to the equity investment, CLUB 9 SPORTS has already reached an agreement with the club’s lender, Co-operative Bank, to restructure the current debt level.

CLUB 9 SPORTS plans to engage itself in the club’s management through the active involvement of its executive team and others it has recruited to support the current efforts of the club’s key executives and its manager. As such, CLUB 9 SPORTS plans to implement a number if initiatives (such as international player development, best practices in commercial operations and enhanced match day activities) in order to improve the team’s performance and the fans’ experience. The goal of these efforts will be to provide financial discipline, club stability and higher league standings.

“We believe the amount and structure of our offer is compelling and trust the board will accept the terms,” said John Prutch, Managing Partner of Prometheus Capital Partners, one of the principal owners of CLUB 9 SPORTS. Prutch added, “we believe our offer sets Wednesday on course to return to its rightful place in English football”

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About CLUB 9 SPORTS, LLC: CLUB 9 SPORTS advises, operates, and invests in sports and media opportunities. It is a subsidiary company of Prometheus Capital Partners, LLC a Chicago-based, middle market merchant bank that specializes in strategic industry verticals. John Prutch is Managing Partner of Prometheus Capital Partners. Jon Pritchett is Operating Partner and CEO of CLUB 9 SPORTS.

Asociacion del Futbol Argentino

Under terms of the agreement, CMN will manage the exclusive commercial rights, including broadcast, marketing and sponsorship rights of the Argentinean National Team in the U.S. The new alliance will also allow CMN to organize matches in select European countries including Spain, Italy and Germany. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The first match in the U.S. is scheduled to take place later this year, following the team’s participation at the FIFA World Cup, to be held in South Africa from June 11 to July 11. Details of that match will be announced in the near future.

The partnership was successfully completed through FIFA’s international agent, Guillermo Tofoni, who also oversees Argentina’s games worldwide.

“The Argentine Football Association is without a doubt one of the most recognized and accomplished football organizations in the world,” said Henry Cardenas, Chief Executive Officer of CMN. “With the World Cup nearing and a great depth of promising young players led by Lionel Messi, arguably the best player in the world, this is an exciting time for Argentina.

“We look forward to expanding AFA’s illustrious brand in the U.S. and showcasing Argentina’s roster of world class players to soccer fans across the nation.”

No stranger to ‘the beautiful game,’ Cardenas has been producing soccer matches in the U.S. since the early 1990s, including exhibitions featuring Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay, as well as a series of matches between Mexico and Argentina from 1999 to 2002. He has also produced friendlies featuring top clubs from North and South America including Club America (Mexico), Boca Juniors (Argentina), River Plate (Argentina), Santos (Brazil), and Nacional (Uruguay), among others.

Most recently, CMN, a 100% privately owned company, has spearheaded sports marketing campaigns for companies such as Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company and Anheuser-Busch.

“It is encouraging to know that Argentina will have a bigger presence in the U.S., where soccer continues to grow and where South Americans have played an important role,” said Julio Grondona, President of AFA and Vice President of FIFA. “We hope that this influence will continue to develop and complement the great efforts, both on the field and off, that are already in place in today’s fastest growing soccer market.”

Led by Argentine soccer legend and four-time World Cup star Diego Armando Maradona, the Albicelestes (Sky Blue and Whites) earned their 15th World Cup berth on October 14, 2009 with a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo. Argentina finished fourth in South American qualifying with an 8-4-9 record and 28 points. Currently ranked eighth in the world by FIFA, Argentina is set to kick off World Cup play against Group B opponent Nigeria on June 12, followed by matches against Korea Republic and Greece on June 17 and June 22, respectively. As part of its preparations for South Africa, the team will face three-time World Cup champion Germany March 3 in Munich.

Argentina’s heralded roster includes a host of young talent led by 22-year-old phenomenon and FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi. Currently La Liga’s top scorer with 16 goals, last season Messi helped the Spanish powerhouse to their historic six titles (UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish and European Super Cups and FIFA Club World Cup), an effort that earned the Rosario native 2009 FIFA Player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year honors – the first time ever for an Argentine player. The team also boasts midfielder and captain Javier Mascherano (Liverpool) and forwards Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid) and Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid). Both Messi and Higuain are solid contenders for Spain’s Pichichi Trophy, awarded to La Liga’s top scorer.

To view photos of players and executives, please visit http://www.consultantsmn.com/email/afa/afa.html.

Argentina captured its first World Cup Championship on June 25, 1978 in Buenos Aires, defeating the Netherlands 3-1 in stoppage time to become the fifth team in FIFA history to claim the title as the tournament’s host nation. The team would go down in history again on June 29, 1986 at the FIFA World Cup Final in Mexico, as Jorge Burruchaga’s dramatic tally in the final minutes of play catapulted Argentina to a 3-2 victory over then-West Germany and its second World Cup title before 114,000 fans at Azteca Stadium.

For more information on AFA, please visit http://www.afa.org.ar.

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About CMN

Founded in 2003 by Henry Cardenas, CMN is one of the leading multicultural event marketing and sponsorship agencies in the U.S. CMN creates brand impact through music, sports and other interactive experiences that capture the hearts and minds of millions of consumers across the nation. In 2009 CMN produced more than 1,000 live events, including concert tours, experiential marketing campaigns and theatrical productions. The organization’s rapid growth prompted the opening of its third U.S. office in Los Angeles earlier this year.

While it’s regrettable to lose the Los Angeles market as part of our WPS footprint, we are pleased to have two new teams coming into the league in 2010,” said WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci. “The league and our ownership committee worked incredibly hard over the past month to complete the transaction. In the end, we ran out of time and came up short of where we needed to be funding-wise for the Sol in 2010.”

The Los Angeles Sol had been under custody of the league since late November when AEG gave back its ownership stake in the team to the league.

“Ownership changes are part of pro sports, particularly in a young league, and we have made solid progress in growing WPS from where we were last season,” said Antonucci. “We believe Los Angeles is a healthy, viable market for women’s pro soccer and a city where our league can again thrive with an LA franchise in the future.”

The league will now feature an even eight-team, single table format for the 2010 WPS Regular Season with more details of the 2010 WPS Season to be unveiled next week.

“All the team owners and members of the Board are confident that this setback will be quickly overcome by the exciting developments that the league has in store for the 2010 WPS Season,” said WPS Board Member and Atlanta Beat Chairman T. Fitz Johnson. “This includes two new franchises, the debut of a brand new stadium built specifically for WPS, a longer regular season and an even better product on the field with incoming talent from the college ranks and the many top internationals that have been signed in the off-season. Without question, this season is poised to build on our successful launch year.”

Several of the Los Angeles players, including WPS All-Stars Shannon Boxx and Marta, are signed to multi-year, guaranteed contracts, and are expected to play in WPS for the remainder of their contracts with other WPS teams following the dispersal draft.

The dispersal draft will be held Thursday, Feb. 4 with the eight franchises selecting players from the Sol roster over three rounds in the following order:

Round 1

1. Atlanta Beat
2. Philadelphia Independence
3. FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
4. Chicago Red Stars
5. Boston Breakers
6. Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
7. Washington Freedom
8. Saint Louis Athletica

Round 2

9. Saint Louis Athletica
10. Washington Freedom
11. Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
12. Boston Breakers
13. Chicago Red Stars
14. FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
15. Philadelphia Independence
16. Atlanta Beat

Round 3

17. Atlanta Beat
18. Philadelphia Independence
19. FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
20. Chicago Red Stars
21. Boston Breakers
22. Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
23. Washington Freedom
24. Saint Louis Athletica

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)

Headquartered in San Francisco, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the world’s premier soccer league for women with eight teams across the United States featuring the best players from around the world. WPS completed its inaugural season in August 2009 as Sky Blue FC of New Jersey became the first-ever WPS Champions. In 2010, eight teams will each play 24-game schedules from April 10-September 12 including six original WPS teams – Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), Saint Louis Athletica, Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) and Washington Freedom – and two expansion teams Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence. The top four finishers in the regular season will qualify for the 2010 WPS Playoffs scheduled for September 19-26. For more information, visit the WPS official website at www.womensprosoccer.com or follow all the news at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.

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For the first time in soccer history, adidas has created a kit giving players such as Lionel Messi, Michael Ballack, Andres Guardado, Steven Pienaar and Xavi the opportunity to select a combination of technology, fit and comfort from 22 different jersey combinations.  The new range will ensure players look unified in their team design while also providing a freedom to choose a preferred fit and technology.

One of the selection options is the TECHFIT PowerWeb jersey.  Until recently, TECHFIT PowerWeb has been more commonly worn under a player’s uniform as compression apparel; but the new adidas kits offer TECHFIT built into the actual jersey giving players a performance advantage in a single layer.

TECHFIT PowerWEB is a cutting edge athletic apparel design that reduces muscle vibration to maximize power, acceleration and endurance.  Through the use of compression fabrics and applied TPU bands in specific areas, TECHFIT is proven to increase a player’s power by 5.3 per cent*, vertical leap by 4 percent*, sprint speed by 1.1 per cent* and enhance endurance by 0.8 per cent*.   The adidas 2010 FIFA World Cup TECHFIT jerseys worn as a single layer are 45 percent lighter than wearing two pieces together.

The second 2010 FIFA World Cup jersey option is the FORMOTION uniform, which features optimised garment construction with sculpted sleeve openings to accommodate maximum freedom of movement.  It also features adidas CLIMACOOL technology which combines a moisture wicking fabric and mesh construction in the player’s highest heat zones to improve body ventilation and keep the athlete at optimum temperature.  The FORMOTION uniform is designed to partner with traditional TECHFIT PowerWEB compression apparel.

The TECHFIT jersey as worn by the players on the pitch will retail for $150 and the authentic replica jersey will retail for $70.

adidas, the number one soccer brand in the world, is the official FIFA sponsor, supplier and licensee of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.  A rich product portfolio designed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup will include innovative footwear, apparel and hardware including the Official Match Ball which will be unveiled on December 4^th, 2009 in Capetown, South Africa at the Official World Cup Draw Show.  The adidas/FIFA partnership has been in existence since 1970.

* Proven research from adidas Global Research and the University of Calgary.

NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC (“NuRock Soccer Holdings”) today announced that it has acquired United Soccer Leagues (“USL”) from NIKE.

NuRock Soccer Holdings, based in Atlanta, is led by Rob Hoskins and Alec Papadakis. NuRock Soccer Holdings is currently a USL franchisee with a Premier Development League operation in Atlanta and rights to acquire two USL First Division teams in Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama marketplaces, respectively.

Rob Hoskins, the Chairman of NuRock Soccer Holdings, is one of the country’s most respected and largest real estate developers in residential housing, and brings his valuable management and branding experience to the soccer industry. Alec Papadakis, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of NuRock Soccer Holdings, is a franchise attorney with domestic and international expansion experience. As a player in the North American Soccer League for the Atlanta Chiefs and the Boston Minutemen, Papadakis has had a long, storied soccer career in the United States at the collegiate and professional level, with numerous accolades.

“We are delighted to close this transaction with NIKE and begin a partnership with Nike’s leading football brands which will sponsor and support USL, and all of its leagues, for many years to come. Together with USL Management, we are excited about the opportunity to grow the size and visibility of USL, and to help develop and train the future generations of soccer athletes in the United States”, said Alec Papadakis, CEO of NuRock Soccer Holdings.

Rob Hoskins, Chairman of NuRock Soccer Holdings, commented, “Our vision for USL is to become the most competitive and profitable pyramid of soccer leagues in North America, while providing affordable family entertainment, and serving as the inspirational destination for professional and amateur youth soccer players in the U.S.”

Nike and Umbro will continue to support USL through a long-term sponsorship agreement naming Umbro as the official sponsor and exclusive supplier of match balls for USL’s professional and amateur leagues, including USL First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League and W-League. Nike Soccer will also serve as an exclusive sponsor for USL.

“This is really the best of both worlds for USL,” said Francisco Marcos, Founder and President of United Soccer Leagues. “We have new ownership that will focus solely on developing and growing the leagues, and Umbro and Nike Soccer join us as sponsors to support our franchise owners, teams and athletes.”

NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC
NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC is part of the umbrella family of companies known as The NuRock Companies. The Principals of NuRock have a dedicated and deep understanding of the soccer industry. As part of its family of companies, NuRock is an existing USL franchisee, with a USL Premier Development League operation in Atlanta. Robert Hoskins is the Chairman of NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC and is the Founder and Managing Principal of The NuRock Companies. Alec Papadakis is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of NuRock Soccer Holdings.

United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues (“USL”), with headquarters in Tampa, FL, is the largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America. USL is comprised of six leagues, USL First and Second Divisions (men’s professional soccer), Premier Development League (men’s under-23), W-League (women’s), Super-20 League (under-20, men’s and women’s amateur), and Super Y-League (boy’s and girl’s elite youth amateur). Dedicated to growing the sport of soccer at the grassroots level, USL has provided a platform for thousands of players to reach their dreams over the last three decades.

When the “super jock” of sports retailing Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE) acquired soccer merchandiser Umbro plc in 2007 for $582 million, the Beaverton, Ore.-based company also inherited a professional soccer league, the United Soccer League, as part of the acquisition. Now, nearly two years later, Nike wants to stick to selling soccer equipment from its Umbro unit and is putting the USL on the auction block, according to The New York Times.

The most logical buyer for the USL is the better known Major League Soccer, but it looks like no deal will happen. “We recently evaluated the opportunity to purchase the U.S.L., but elected to not submit a bid for the league,” Dan Courtemanche, a senior vice president for marketing and communications at MLS, said in an e-mail message to the Times.

Who can blame the MLS for not wanting to buy the USL? After all, the MLS has a long-term sponsorship deal with Adidas AG that would likely ruffle the feathers of executives at the German company. Additionally, a deal for a competing league could raise antitrust issues in the U.S.

Lastly, the MLS is still not a profitable enterprise. It’s thought that only a small fraction of the 15-team league is profitable. So how could the fledgling league afford to acquire a competing league if it’s having trouble sustaining itself? Despite soccer being a popular sport when it comes to participation by American youths, the professional game has struggled to attract the consistent turnout at the stadiums and viewership via television compared to competing professional sports leagues such as Major League Baseball, National Football League and National Basketball Association.

The Times reports that the USL has had some interest from a consortium led by Brazilian-based company Traffic, which owns the rights to several clubs and players in the Western Hemisphere. – Gerald Magpily

San Francisco (Source: San Francisco Business Times)

by Eric Young

Some Women’s Professional Soccer teams lost as much as $2 million during the just-concluded inaugural season, but the league remains on track to expand and add new sponsors, its top official said Tuesday.

WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci said that the poor economy hurt fans’ and sponsors’ willingness to spend. But she said the women’s pro soccer league, which has its corporate headquarters in San Francisco, remains on track to stabilize its financial footing.

“Keeping our eye on the ball and having long term sustainability is extremely important to our league,” said Antonucci, a former Yahoo Inc. executive.

League officials said WPS would break even this year if teams attracted an average of 5,000 fans per game. Average game attendance was 4,500 people. As a result of lower-than-expected ticket sales and other expenses like stadium costs, some of WPS’ seven teams lost up to $2 million this season, which ended Aug. 9. Antonucci declined to name which teams lost that amount.

Despite financial challenges during its first year, WPS will bring on two additional teams — in Atlanta and Philadelphia — in 2010, bringing the total number of teams to nine. The Bay Area’s WPS team, FC Gold Pride, play in Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara.

WPS has signed the U.S. Coast Guard as a sponsor in a multi-year deal and it is close to finalizing a separate deal for yet another new sponsor who plans to buy ad space on players’ jerseys next season, Antonucci said.

The league this year lined up athletic clothing maker Puma AG, nutritional supplier Advocare International LP, Fox Soccer Channel and flavored water seller Hint Inc. as league wide sponsors.

WPS is the successor to the Women’s United Soccer Association, a league that operated from 2001 to 2003 with players like Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy. The WUSA was launched amid excitement following the U.S. women’s national team victory in the 1999 World Cup. The WUSA shut down after TV ratings and attendance goals fell short.

Antonucci, who was not part of WUSA, launched WPS this year with seven teams each playing 20 games.

WPS’ championship game is Aug. 22. The Los Angeles Sol will face the winner of the Aug. 19 semifinal between Saint Louis Athletica and Sky Blue FC of New York.

NCAA Rankings Pre-Season Men’s Division I Pre-Season Poll

NCAA Rankings Pre-Season Women’s Division I Pre-Season Poll

* Final 2008 Record and Ranking shown

Brittan Silva, AVID Soccer Staff Writer

The teams at the Rose Bowl were supported with over 80,000 fans in attendance. Internazionale was recovering from a 5-4 loss just two days ago to Mexico’s Club America. The EPLs Chelsea FC, the opposing side, began the challenge. The final score turned out in favor of Chelsea who played exceptionally well for a pre-season game. Inter Milan failed to find the back of the net despite Chelsea capitalizing twice leaving the scoreboard 2-0 after the ninety minutes.

Chelsea looked good from the kickoff showing a 4-4-2 line up with all of their big name players. Chelsea had a couple of looks at the goal in the first minutes of play including a header by John Terry.  Terry’s strike off a corner went just over the crossbar. 

In the 11th minute Chelsea’s midfielder Lampard laid the ball off to striker Drogba just outside the 18.  Drogba quickly cracked off a shot from 20 yards out that to slip by Inter’s Keeper Vid Belec for the first goal of the match.  Inter Milan struggled to make themselves dangerous in their attacks managing only two shots on target for the first half.  Chelsea kept up their attacks throughout the half and finished 1-0 after 45 minutes.

Goal scorer Didier Drogba did not return after the half allowing Sturridge to enter the pitch. Kalou, Carvalho and Malouda for Chelsea were also swapped for Deco, Alex and Anelka while Milito for Inter Milan was swapped for Obi.

The Italian champions applied immediate pressure after the whistle.  They create a couple of opportunities, but were unable to finish. In the 49th minute Sturridge took a shot from inside the 18 only to be blocked by Belec.  Recovering his own shot, Sturridge cracked off another that was handled by Defender Ivan Cordoba. Frank Lampard took the penalty kick and placed it in the bottom right corner of the goal putting Chelsea ahead 2-0.

The half continued with opportunities from both sides.  Neither team could capitalize further. Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti subbed throughout the half and ended with 9 substitutions. Inter also substituted players as well. Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on for Milan in the 58th minute and had as good of opportunities as any of his side. He had a handful of shots including a bicycle kick attempt, but wasn’t able to put them on target. On the other end Chelsea’s Hutchinson and Sturridge continued their attacks throughout the half. The stand-out for Inter Milan was defender Davide Santon who had a great game.  In the end, Chelsea’s excellent performance handed victory to the deserving side.

Chelsea’s performance did not look like a pre-season squad.  They played well enough to be halfway through the EPL season. Internazionale, on the other hand, seemed to struggle to find the flow they need for their up and coming season.