Adidas Predator X About to be Unleashed

Adidas Predator X - It is the talk of the town right now and is about to be released onto the US market. There are a lot of positive things being said about the cleat, and after getting to test a pair I would agree. Actually, in my opinion they will probably be one of the more sought after cleats come the Christmas rush. And that will be no easy feat as Nike have raised their game with recent releases. The Predator X has many new technological developments, including 'Optifit', a system that allows for a more durable and long lasting cleat. Basically, Adidas have worked to shore up some of the problem areas where you often see other cleats (including previous versions of the Predator) tearing. Another cool aspect is the Predator Zone. This time around, adidas have used a silicon plastic mix that is designed to help with control, accuracy and power.
Right now, if you are brave enough, the cleats are available to pre-order for $220!

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!

Danny Kennedy - Adidas Predator

Name: Dan Kennedy
Position:GK
Team History:UCSB 2001-04
Puerto Rico Islanders 2005(USL)
Club Deportivo Municipal Iquique 2005-08(Chile)
Chivas USA 2008-

Cleat size: 10.5
Sneaker size:11

Preferred cleat? Predator firm grounds
In one sentence why? Very comfortable and I like the control I feel that I have with the ball.

What do you look for when choosing a cleat? Color- I usually wear black cleats, Comfort- I do not enjoy blisters, and weight- nothing too heavy

How much would you pay for the perfect pair?
$200 seems to be the standard for nice cleats these days, so I guess I wouldnt pay more than that.

What advice would you give to someone when choosing a new pair of cleats?
I usually have about 4 pairs of cleats, three firm grounds and one soft ground...I like the firm ground cleats to play in when the conditions permit, I also like to train in them. I always have a firm ground broken in and ready to go...for rainy and wet conditions...I usually rotate my cleats using them for games only in the begining, then once they start showing wear and tear I turn them into my training boots. I usually clean and leather food all my cleats the day before the game.

Danny Kennedy is currently one of the leading goalkeepers in MLS. His leadership qualities are well renowned, shown by his captaincy of the 2004 UCSB team that played in the schools first ever National Championship Final game. We thank Dan for sharing his knowledge on soccer cleats with us!

Andy Dorman: Adidas Predator

Name: Andy Dorman
Position: Center/Right Midfield
Team History: Boston University 2000-03
New England Revolution 04-07
Saint Mirren FC (Scottish Premier Division)
Cleat size: UK 9 (US 9.5)
Sneaker size: UK 9.5 (US 10)
Preferred cleat? Adidas Predator
In one sentence why? I have wide feet and the predators seem to stretch a lot and are a perfect fit for my feet.

What do you look for when choosing a cleat? Comfort first and then the look

How much would you pay for the 'perfect' pair? Up to $200

What advice, from your experience, would you give someone buying cleats?
I prefer to buy my boots a half size smaller and wear them in the shower before I use them to stretch them out. Thats just personal preference because when I buy the correct size and wear them in the rain, they stretch too much and dont fit. I have 2 pairs of firm ground and 2 pairs of soft ground. They are all predators and i use two of them for training and the other 2 for games. I would say once you find a pair you like and are comfortable with dont change them.

Are there any other tips you can give?
Dont put your boots on the radiator to dry them. Use vaseline to keep the leather soft.

Andy Dorman played college soccer at Boston University, before being picked up by the New England Revolution in 2004. In 97 appearances, he scored 17 goals before making a big move to St. Mirren of the Scottish Premier League. Since his move, Dorman has established himself as a regular fixture, playing a key role in recent games against Celtic and Rangers.

Chris Loftus: Adidas Predator

Name: Chris Loftus
Position: Forward
Team History: Duke University 03-06
New England Revolution 07-08
Limhamn Bunkeflo (Sweden) Current
Cleat size: 12
Sneaker size: 13

Preferred cleat? Adidas Predator
In one sentence why? I like the Adidas Predator because it fits my foot best and is a comfortable cleat.

Chris, thanks for taking the time to share advice with our readers.
First, What do you look for when choosing a cleat?
I have very narrow feet so Adidas shoes have always fit me best. The first and most important thing for me when having a cleat is comfort. I also like the end of the shoe near the toe to be more narrow and pointed like the end of a foot so that I can feel the ball. I've found that many shoes, like Nike, are wide and rounded so it makes it harder to feel the ball. I also prefer leather shoes asopposed to the synthetic shoes because I feel that the leather molds and forms to your foot better. I've also always been a fan of black shoes, but having a comfortable shoe that you can feel the ball andhave a good touch with is most important.

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

From your experience, what advice would you give to people choosing new cleat?
I think it's always important to have at least one pair of cleats for hard grounds and at least one for soft grounds. What I do when I first get a pair of cleats is to put them on and wear them in the shower. Once they have gotten really wet I wear them around for about 20-30 minutes so that the leather has a chance to stretch and mold to my foot. Alot of players don't break in their soft grounds until the first time they wear them. This can cause blisters and also hinder your touch on the ball. This shower technique has always worked for me. In terms of taking care of your cleats...if they do get wet make sure to leave them out to dry so that the stitching in the leather doesn't get too lose. Sometimes I will put newspaperinside of them to dry them out. Most importantly though when buying a shoe is to buy the one that feels most comfortable.

Finally, are there any other tips you would like to give our readers?
Whenever I get a cleat I usually have it one size smaller than my regular shoes. I do this because ithelps me feel the ball better. I've found that when the cleats get wet, especially leather cleats, they will stretch a little.

Chris played college soccer at Duke, making it the College Cup in 2004. After a year in the MLS with New England Revolution, he decided to try his luck in Europe where he currently plays for Limhamn Bunkeflo in Sweden.