FIFA World Player of The Year.

Christiano Ronaldo FIFA World Player of the Year. I like, I like.  Fast feet, amazing agility, spectacular moves, unbelievable and magical. I was alway a fan of Ronaldo. Which is why i got myself one of these. I mean i never really spend all the much money on jerseys but I just had to for this one.

You can get yours too at Soccer.com. Or at World Soccer Shop. Check it out.

Who’s This Spirr Guys Anyway?

So, brief rundown of my playing experience thus far…and if you’re wondering what I’m doing in South Africa right now, click here.

As you might know already, now that I have taken this short break from playing, the passion really burns from within me.  I find myself constantly looking at opportunity, chance and possibilities to continue what I started 14 years ago on a small cement pitch. Soon enough, a little planning and a lot of training, I’ll be back on this journey limited by time, age, and health.  So in this important life transition, I thought I would take a second and reflect on the first half of my playing career. I mean this is more so for my readers, so you can place the face with the words, without the floating phantom perception that comes with the obscure name Spirrs Guy. But nonetheless, i was fun for me to reflect back, because honestly, I just don’t remember it all.

So, half time speech: just a brief overview of what went on. For further, in dept thoughts and experiences in playing  Youth, Club, ODP, College, and PDL through the years stay tuned, you gotta give me a chance to write them all.

2005-2008 Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus. Brooklyn, New York

• Former Captain
• Student Athlete of the Year

2007 Laredo Heat Soccer Club. Laredo, Texas

• PDL National Champions

2003-2005 Rutgers University, New Brunswick. New Brunswick, New Jersey

• Suffered first collegiate Injury
• Competed minimally 

2001-2005 Merrick Magic – Merrick Long Island New York

• New York Freedom Y-League – Long Island New York  
• Merrick Red Storm – Merrick Long Island New York

1998-2002 Olympic Development Program (ODP) – Eastern New York Down State, Long Island.

• Olympic Development Program (ODP) – Region 1 ODP 

Previous:

• Manhattan Soccer Club
• Manhattan Kicker’s Soccer Club 
• Downtown Soccer League – Intramural soccer league located in the Hudson RiverPark Park .
• United East Athletic Association (UEAA) – Columbus Park Chinatown New York City.

 In a Nut Shell. Hopefully more to add to the Top of this list. I’ll keep you posted.

“New Wave in Training” or Just a Ripple?

I’m sure you all have seen the Soccer Wave. It has gained a lot of popularity since it’s debute not too long ago.  But is it really worth all the hype?  It is said to be the “New Wave in Soccer Training” but does it really take indiviudal soccer training to the next level, or is it the same rebound equipment wrapped in a cool design?

Before you come to any conclusions about whether this is the best thing ever, or whether you think its a piece of junk, here are some things to consider. Remember i am not here to advertise products nor am i here to smear them. I am simply here to open discussion and shed light on products on the market so we can all gain some insight from each other.

First off, let’s see what it actually is. The Soccer Wave is designed so that ground balls passed into the product will return in the air.  The design features a “gradual curve” so that balls can return at different heights depending on where the intial pass enters. This is a very innovated design. Passes come from the ground and return in the air at varying heights.

What I think of the Soccer Wave after having tested it and used it.

The design and product branding for this product is truely very clever. “Socccer Wave” Yes, it looks like a wave, it’s design is practical and appealing, it has good market ability as the “new wave in soccer training,” and it targets a wide varitety of consumer looking for fun, innovative ways to train. So, very great design conept, branding and marketing ability. As for it’s performance, it didnt meet my standards for “New Wave in Soccer Training.”  Here’s WHY:

• You need to stand too close to get consist results.
• It doesn’t generate a powerful or driven rebound returns.
• Not only too much backspin on returns. But only backspin return.
• Its too big and bulky. Hard to travel with.

So, my over all review of this product. Not bad, nice concept, but poor performance. It didn’t my expectations from an individual soccer training equipment. “Big Wave” for those who like cool toys, not so much for those looking to maximizes training with an individual training product.

For a Full Video review of this product stay tuned.  SpirrsBlog.com is compiling test results from similar products to see how well each product matches up against their competitors.

8-Stud Replaceable

12-Stud Replaceable

Diadora Morpho

Anyone ENJOY using 8-stud removeable cleats? What about 12 fully removeable and interchanges studs? Have you even seen anything of this sort? Ok Yes. You might think I’m talking about the Adidas Tunits…But does anyone remember these?

Some of you old-timers might know of the Diadora Morpho.  I would say these were one of the first cleats that founded the concept of versitile and customizable cleats. These boots came out over a decade ago, and features 12 removeable studs. Thier construction is that of a 6-stud removeable cleat (standard Soft Ground Cleats), except there are 12 of them (standard Firm Ground Cleats). You can say they were the first breed of soft ground and firm ground cleats.  At the time, they were quite innovative and they intriqued many, but the costly price tag on a pair of these boots made them a lot less appealing.  The need for such a specialized cleat, with endless transformations wasn’t too strong, as playing conditions didn’t call for such specific catering. Plus, from my experience with these cleats back then, i ask myself…Was it really neccessary for me to change stud that often for more or less the same fields I played on? Not so much, but it was fun to do it!

Much like the Addidas Tunits now. Do you really need that much specifications and customizations? Not so much, but it’s fun to do it!

So, to the Diadora Morpho’s. Shout out to a Cleat that shed light on the concept of customization, individualization, and versitility.

Also in my books, as cleats that founded the Spirrs Guys Catergory of “not-necessarily-all-so-necessary” Cleats.

US Fine Print

So, we have a new jersey out. Its simple, subtle and clean. But I think that J Crew came out with this one in fall two seasons ago. Or maybe it was the Gap? Either way, nice jersey for a liesurely stroll through the park. Goes well with a sweater on a windy afternoon.  Online “You might also like” categories filled with khaki pants and penny loafers.  “Related items: boat shoes and knit vests.” 

It does have some good looking fine print on it though.  It reads “Don’t Tread on Me.”

I like how we have managed to produce such an eloquent and modest piece of attire for competition.*%?!

This would definately make for a nice Christmas item, or if you are just a US diehard supporter and absolutely need this, you can check this jersey out at Soccer.com, one of spirrsblog.com’s many trusted affiliate sites. And if you’re an ADU fan, for your convience, I added a direct link to Eurosport’s catalog.

COMING SOON. You will be able to go to Spirrs.com find Soccer Product I formation Ratings and Reviews, with the ability to COMPARE similar items using SPIRReView’s. To Learn More on what this rating and reviews stuff is all about click here.

Nike Adu USA Home JerseyShow your support for the future of American soccer and the US National Team! Freddy Adu is surely headed for greatness on the field and this is his official USA home jersey. Features US team badge and Nike logo at front and Adu’s name and number.

Mizuno Morellia PRO Japan

On The Record: Best Boots Ever.

Ok. Now we all have our one favorite pair of cleats we hold dearly in the deepest depts of our hearts. The cleat you have grown to love and cherish. You know, that one pair of boots that you hold high above all, ones that you can take to your grave or fight to the death for. Ok well, maybe not so far, but ones that you’ll definately spend countless pints arguing for. For the younger audience, go out and get a pair of these, you’ll fall in love, and as for the pints you’ll know what I mean when you a wee bit older. And for you all who spent many night reminiscing over a couple cold ones, engaging in heated discussions about college ball, pro and world travels, you’ll have another for these cleats here.

So, I thought it would only be approproate if the first ever footwear post on Spirrsblog.com be my vote for best cleat ever thus far. On the record, Spirrs Guy’s cast for greatest boots contructed for the sport and athletes alike…the Mizuno Morelia Pro Japan. 

Aurguable, the best constructed cleat of all time, player approved and time tested, are the Adidas Copa Mudial. No doubt about it, truely a revolution in the craftsmanship of soccer cleats.  But, if you have ever own a pair of these, you can attest that the contruction and design does transcend the structure of the Copa’s and the comfort, feel, and suppleness surely surpasses. The preformance of these boots are stellar, and quite frankly unmatchable. Again, truely, and undoubtedly the BEST BOOTS EVER!!!

Ok, Let’s hear what you have to say about this one.  Tell Us what your cast is for Best Cleats ever made. And if you havn’t ever worn a pair of leather boots, please save your synthetics for an other vote. Cheers!