With the barrage of high-tech and high-priced soccer shoes hitting the market, a classic is getting lost in the fold. As I see more and more players choose a shoe for its shiny and colorful looks over usefulness, all I can do is just shake my head. Quite simply, the Adidas Copa Mundial is the best soccer shoe ever made, and is still more than useful in the new world of soccer footwear.
Not only is the Copa affordable, it’s classic look and timeless quality make it more than able to perform for today’s players. Now don’t think of me as an old-time curmudgeon. I’ve worn other shoes and I am impressed with all the technology that has been put into cleats today, but for me the Copa is still the gold standard.
While more and more players are wearing lighter synthetic shoes, I still prefer the softness of kangaroo leather on my feet. The Copa’s ability to mold to a foot and withstand constant pounding on any surface is one of its best qualities. I’ve known many players who have bought a new pair of cleats only to have them break down and then have to dig their old Copa’s out of the closet to finish a season.
The Copa isn’t flashy and that is another endearing quality. It’s simple and keeps the emphasis of the shoe on soccer and not on how cool it looks. While I don’t frown on those who choose the most colorful and eccentric shoes, I do take offense at anyone who snubs their nose at the Copa.
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Earlier this summer we looked at the progress teams were making in the transfer market. A lot has happened since we dubbed our early winners and losers, and now with the transfer window shut until January it’s time to hand out some final grades. With all of the major leagues getting under way, the play of some newcomers has already improved some team’s positions. As before, we will start with the winners.
- Liverpool: While no slouch in the middle of the summer at No. 3, the early-season form of the Reds has catapulted them to the top of the winners and the English Premier League table. Signings Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin and Yossi Benayoun have all played a vital role in Liverpool’s early success while adding depth and making them serious title contenders.
- Barcelona: Thierry Henry got all the headlines, but the defensive additions of Yaya Toure, Gabriel Milito and Eric Abidal might be the most significant additions. Still, Henry is Henry and Barcelona again has the scariest attacking lineup in the world.
- Bayern Munich: The German giants’ big summer spending is already paying dividends and sending a message to the rest of the Bundesliga. Franck Ribery, Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni have added attacking prowess. The return of midfielder Ze Roberto is a plus as are the additions of Hamit Altintop, Jose Sosa and Marcell Jansen.
- Real Madrid: The only team to jump from our losers list makes the leap after a flurry of quality additions late in the transfer window. Madrid’s additions had a very Dutch feel with the arrivals of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Royston Drenthe. In defense Christoph Metzelder, Pepe and Gabriel Heinze have all added some bite. Javier Saviola adds depth at forward and Jerzy Dudek gives Madrid and experienced and capable back-up goalie. New Manager Bernd Schuster is also paying dividends as he has opened up Madrid’s attack and has it sitting at the top of the table.
- Manchester United: While the Reds early-season form has been lacking, they still had a wonderful summer. The late capture of Carlos Tevez kept our previous No. 1 winner on the list. Owen Hargreaves has played well so far and youngsters Nani and Anderson have shown promise for this season and for the future of United.
Adidas. Nike. Diadora. So many choices. The major soccer retailers have created so many options for you in shoes that they decided it was a good idea to confuse you with goalkeeper gloves too. As a former keeper I know the struggles of seeing all the options but not knowing the difference from one glove to the next. Let me give you a quick run down to help you with your decision.
What to expect from gloves:
- Some gloves come pre-curved so that your hands have a similar shape when you are holding the ball. Other lower level gloves will be flat, but both will require some working in to get them how you like them.
- The palm surface should be a little sticky to where the ball seems to ‘stick’ to your gloves a bit.
- Gloves can come with either a full wrap around strap or a half strap around your wrist. Personally I like the full wrap because it feels tighter and fits closer to the hand.
- When looking for the right size, make sure that they fit snuggly and to give the tips of your fingers a little room at their ends. Most gloves will come with a sizing chart if you don’t know your size.
For the longest time I used Adidas keeper gloves. They feature the ‘Fingersave’ technology in each finger but the thumb. ‘Fingersave’ technology are plastic pieces intended to prevent your fingers from bending backwards on a hard shot. While this I a great idea, they have a tendency to break down over time. Since their inception though, Adidas has improved their build to make them more durable. Nike has the T90 Spyne which is their version of the ‘Fingersaves’. Breathability has become big in gloves recently also. Nike’s Vapor Glove provides a breathable backhand and most Adidas gloves have Climacool technology between each finger. Both Nike and Adidas have quality palms that are durable unless you are especially hard on them.
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