Scoring Defenders: Premier League weekend Dec 6th-8th

What were defenders doing in the Premier League last weekend?
Scoring goals that’s what!
There were 6 big goals scored in all, and each one had an implication on the result.

• Nemanja Vidic got one of the most important goals of the weekend. With Man Utd’s game vs. Sunderland heading to a stalemate, Vidic popped up in the box to knock the ball into the back of the net after it had cannoned off the post from Michael Carrick’s long range effort. The goal gave Man Utd a 1-0 win and kept them in touch with Liverpool and Chelsea. Vidic currently wears the New Puma v-Konstrukt III, which are set to be released in the US January 2009. To help with touch and control, Puma have created a new front design with padding around the shooting area. This is positioned to help with control and impact when striking the ball.
Check out PUMA v-Konstrukt II


• A double from Joleon Lescott did not help Everton beat Aston Villa, although they really should have snatched a point through Lescott’s second goal in added time. 60 seconds after he had tied the game at 2-2, Aston Villa had the ball in Everton’s net to win 3-2. Lescott wears Nike Total90 Laser II. Nike developed these cleats with swerve, power and precision in mind. Their focus was on developing a shooting sweet spot, and hence the front design of the cleat. Known as Shotshield technology, Nike placed rubber zonal rings on the strike zone with direct injected rubber.
More info on Nike Total90 Laser II


• Bernard Mendy helped Hull gain another 3 points. He scored the tying goal against Middlesbrough, getting lucky when his shot hit the post and then Ross Turnbull’s back before going into the net. Mendy, like Lescott, wears the Nike Total 90 Laser II.


• Abdoulaye Faye came back to haunt Newcastle by scoring for Stoke to snatch a point in their encounter. Faye has most recently been wearing Adidas adiPURE TRX in master blue/white. These cleats have an upper Kangaroo leather glove like fit. They are about as pure and simple as you can get cleat wise. At 9.6 ounces they are pretty light. Designed for the no-nonsense central midfielder who is not afraid to get stuck in on a tackle.
More Info Adidas adiPURE Indigo/Metallic Silver/Rave Green


• And finally, Ledley King did what Spurs strikers couldn’t do in their game against a poor West Ham -put the ball in the net! Spurs had several excellent chances to score before King popped up in the box for his first goal since 2005. King wears white Adidas Predator Powerswerve. Predators have been legendary since the Premier League’s creation in the 90’s. This version has two major advantages over other boots; Powerswerve impact and Powerpulse. Powerswerve allows a player to add swerve to the ball by using a rubber interface, allowing for extra control on contact with the ball. Powerpulse is the insole insert that has Tungsten powder filled elements. These shift as you swing into the ball adding extra power and increased flexibility. The newest version of the cleat comes in Dark Indigo/Metallic Silver/Pool.
  More Info Adidas Predator PowerSwerve White Metallic/Indiog/Rave Green

Alfonso Motagalvan: Adidas Predator and Adipure

Name: Alfonso Motagalvan

Team: UCSB Mens Soccer 2004-08
Cleat size: 8.5

Sneaker size: 10

Why the difference in sizes?

I like my shoe to be snug on my foot.

What cleats do you like to wear?

I wear the Adidas Predator and Adidas Adipure, simply because they are leather. My feet are very wide and those two types feel the best. I also find it easy to adjust when I have a new pair. I prefer wearing leather rather than plastic on my feet as it gives me a better feel of the ball.

What do you look for when choosing a cleat?
When it comes to cleats, I am kind of old school. I don't really like flashy colors, not my style! I play really simple, hence why I wear mostly all black cleats. My preferred cleats mostly come in that color. You have to know your feet and what you feel comfortable in. I personally think that leather is better than the synthetic material. You have to know also whether you want style points or comfort points.

Is there any additional advice you can give?
From my past experience, leather breaks in quickly but if it doesn't, I usually shower with my boots and they will mold to my foot. In order to maintain them in top form I use leather food before I wear them. Remember that the clears are your tools!

Alfonso had a very establisher career at UC Santa Barbara, winning a National Championship in 2006 and having the honor of captaining the team his senior year. In his Junior and Senior year, Alfonso scored 10 goals and had 4 assists from the Defensive midfield spot. Not a bad return! We want to thank Alfonso for his input, and wish him every success as he awaits this years MLS draft!

Neil Jones: Adidas Adipure

Name: Neil Jones
Position: Forward
Team History: UCSB 2001-04
NZ National Team Full international, U-23, U-20. U-17 level
Queensland Roar, Kuala Lumpur FC
Cleat size: 10.5 Sneaker size: 11
Preferred cleat? Adidas Adipure
In one sentence, why? Simple, clean design, made from leather that is comfortable to wear and light.

Neil, thanks for joining us and letting our readers in on your tips!
First, What do you look for when choosing a cleat?
First and foremost, they must be made of leather. I am not a fan of the new plastic type cleats, they do not conform to my foot and are not comfortable in my opinion. I am also not a fan of colored cleats, I guess I am just old fashioned! I like black cleats. Also, I would rather have round molded cleats on the sole as opposed to blades. My perfect pair of cleats would be Adidas Adipure upper with Adidas Copa Mundial sole.

How much would you pay for the 'perfect' pair of cleats? $200

What advice would you give someone who is deciding what types of cleats to purchase?
Well, you have to have at last 2-3 pairs of cleats. One for hard ground, one for soft/wet surfaces and one for training. I like to keep my game cleats separate. A lot of games/trainings these days take place of artificial surfaces and on these surfaces I like to wear turf shoes. It does not feel natural to wear normal cleats on these surfaces sometimes. So, if a pair of turf shoes fits in your budget, I would recommend those too.

What tips do you have on 'breaking' cleats in?
I have always found the best way to break cleats in is in the shower or bath. Take a nice long shower/bath in hot water (as hot as you can handle it!) with your cleats on. The hot water helps to make the leather of your cleat more supple and conforms better to your foot. After you get out of he shower/bath, walk around the house in the cleats. This is the best way to break shoes in quickly.

Do you have any other tips on how to maintain cleats?
Clean your cleats after each practice/game. Cleats are expensive and they need care. A quick clean and a bit of leather food on the cleats goes a long way in not only extending the lifetime of your cleat but keeps the leather supple and prevents it from drying out.


Neil is currently assistant coach at UCSB, where he played for 4 years, captaining the team to the 2006 National Championship game. He had the honor of playing with his native New Zealand at international level, and marked Demarcus Beasley once in a game vs. USA.>