Clarence is one of the top players to come out of the D.C. area, playing for two different high schools including a state championship.  His college ball was played at U of Maryland.  Goodson left Maryland after three years to play in the MLS.  He played for FC Dallas beginning his starting duties in 2005.  In 2007, he was selected by San Jose as part of the expansion draft.  However, he chose to try his luck in Europe.  Clarence began his Norwegian career in 2008 with IK Start.  His MLS rights are still held by the Earthquakes.

Goodson does not have much international experience.  His first cap was against Sweden in 2008 and continued on the CONCACAF qualifying squad.  He has two international goals, both against Honduras.

Under Armour is an unqualified success, growing from a maker of performance wear to a complete sporting goods manufacturer.  They now offer boots, protective pieces, men’s and women’s apparel.  Their boots are in the mid-range pricing and follow the balanced and power design philosophies.  They do not yet offer a full range to handle non-grass surfaces or soft ground.

A unique user-code that comes with every pair of the boots allows access to exclusive training content from some of the biggest names in the game, including Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal and Andrés Iniesta of FC Barcelona.

The Nike Soccer+ and CTR360 boot connect innovative product design with the virtual and physical world of training to help improve player performance.

“We’re bridging the gap between the physical and digital world to give soccer players a competitive edge and inspire them through new experiences,” said Stefan Olander, Nike Global Brand Connections Director. “Nike Soccer+ is an exciting innovation for soccer players worldwide and a new development in training that will work hand-in-hand with our soccer products to deliver benefits to players at every level.”

Nike Soccer+ Online Training Experience

Nike Soccer+ allows amateur players the chance to tap into interactive video-based tips and drills developed by Nike’s elite soccer players and coaches.

Included with all CTR360 Maestri boots is a card with a unique user code. When entered online at www.nikesoccer.com this code unlocks unique user content to enable players to be trained by the experts. This training tool is also available as an Apple® App available for iPhone and iPod. Nike Soccer+ ensures players can connect with each other tracking and posting scores associated with different training drills.

The Master Control training drills are conceived and demonstrated by coaches from FC Barcelona, while other content includes players such as Cesc Fabregas and Andrés Iniesta demonstrating their signature moves.

The Master Control coaching is the first edition of the Nike Soccer+ coaching program and later programs will focus on other skill areas such as speed and accuracy. Each of the three programs is a 4-week training regiment.

CTR360 Maestri Boot

The CTR360 Maestri boot has been engineered for enhanced passing, close control and effective distribution. Nike designers paid close attention to key zones of the boot, with the outsole adjusted to maximize a player’s ability to trap and control the ball, while the upper has been refined at the key contact points for receiving and distributing the ball.

The boot is made from a unique synthetic upper called Kanga-Lite, which delivers the fit and feel of soft leather, but with the performance qualities of engineered fabrics. For years Nike material technicians have worked on developing a synthetic solution that achieves the fit and feel characteristics of traditional leathers. Kanga-Lite delivers this solution with a supple feel and upper that performs well in any weather condition, maintains its shape and doesn’t soak up water.

AVID Soccer Editors Note: Both Nike Soccer+ and the CTR360 Boot are available now.  Hopefully we can get our hands on a pair to test for ASER.

About Nike

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories.

Source: Release

In celebration of the UEFA Champions League Final, adidas is unveiling the newest generation of TUNIT, the F50i, which introduces the games most innovative upper technology to-date – SprintSkin. Lionel Messi will debut the boot on Wednesday May 27th at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for the Final. Pioneering technologies and innovative design treatments make the F50i the ideal boot for elite players seeking performance benefits.

“I’ve never felt so good in new football boots. The extremely thin shell allows me to play to my full potential on the pitch. Perfect contact with the ball is essential for me,” says Messi, who has already tested the F50i for several weeks during team training for the Final.

Inspired by Messi’s lightning footwork, the TUNIT F50i incorporates design elements to enhance Messi’s game style. Starting with the strikingly bold cyan-colored upper, the F50i is the first single-layer football boot. SprintSkin, a new proprietary technology, envelops the player’s foot like a second skin and the synthetic material is supple, water-repellent and lightweight, ultimately providing a perfect fit. The ergonomically correct lace structure is enhanced with a thermo-bonded lace cover for optimal fit and ball strike. The complete customization offering TUNIT is known for continues with the F50i model. A complete kit of studs and chassis’ gives each player personal control over their boot per game and pitch.

Starting on June 6, 2009 the TUNIT F50i will be worn by top players from all over the world during the qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup 2010™.

The TUNIT F50i will retail for $195 and will be available in Messi’s cyan/black/white color at adidas Sport Performance stores, www.shopadidas.com and soccer specialty stores starting in June. The boot will also be available in white/black starting in August.

Others players endorsing the F50i in addition to Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) and Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal FC) include: David Villa (Valencia CF), Samir Nasri (Arsenal FC), Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole (Chelsea FC), Lukas Podolski (FC Bayern Munich), Johan Vonlanthen (Red Bull Salzburg), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur) and Steven Pienaar (Everton FC).

###

Also see:

• Messi YouTube Video
• ASER F50.7 TUNIT
• ASER F50.6 a3 Turf
• ASER 2006 Innovative Product of the Year