adidas Euro 2008 Replique Soccer Ball

The FIFA®-inspected adidas® Euro 2008 Replique soccer ball features a hand-stitched construction for high durability. The panel layer system offers a softer touch and high shooting power transmission, while the latex bladder allows for maximum air retention and rebound.
Customer Review: good seller
I thought this product would have come blown up but it came in a smaller package which helped save on shipping

Despite the addition of a big name like Beckham, the soccer in the USA is still facing the challenges it has been undergoing for years now; namely the MLS's challenges include game attendance, level of players, ratings, expansion, stadiums.

The numbers have been declining for years since the MLS's inception in 1993, and despite a small growth spurt in recent seasons, remains far from reaching the same popularity as the foreign leagues - the support simply isn't there. Support starts at home, and the U.S. has never advocated soccer like it does other sports. Instead, most [northern] Americans forsake this world-wide religion known as football and instead champion "American" football: the collision sport comprising of big jocks tackling each other and running for glory, hearkening the grueling violence and big-attitudes that comes with the game. Contrary to most Americans, I believe that soccer is as equally, if not more, of a grueling, tough sport requiring exceeding amounts of endurance than American football. Take into consideration the sheer amount of non-stop running, the level of skill needed to continue the run while making highly-tedious moves, along with the fact that you can't use your hands in a sport requiring adept depth perception. A soccer-player must play continuously for two 45 minute halves and no "timeouts." Their team does not consist of separate defense or offense groups, they are on the pitch continuously, making intelligent decisions with every single moves: passing, shooting, defending, none of it mindless, all of it inherently crucial. The amount of cardiovascular fitness, upper body, core and lower body strength really amazes me. And yet, soccer in the US simply isn't supported locally the way it is in other countries, most of which consider soccer a religion.

Another recurring problem is with ownership of MLS teams. The MLS governs teams under their single-entity make-up, controlling costs by sharing revenues and negotiating players' contracts. Some say that the MLS is thus biased toward profitable the more factions regarding where players go and how much they get.

Then there are the issues of stadiums. Due to its latent start compared to other sports in the US, many MLS teams were relegated to using stadiums specifically made for football (college or NFL). This was problematic due to the large expense to occupy the space and lack of seats actually occupied at the events. So far, six stadiums have been structured specifically for soccer per MLS, a great choice since it has proven to build up attendance and profits. Still, more soccer-specific stadiums are needed nationwide to build a thorough amount of attendance and fan base.

Which brings me to my next point, media coverage and ratings. Major League Soccer has not yet learned how to market its strengths, by making hard-core fans feel needed and appreciate. By amplifying the religious attitude about soccer supported by the rest of the world. If fan support increases, I believe media attention is bound to as well. The Beckham publicity of 2007 definitely drummed up some interest, albeit fleeting. The key is to make the people crave it, it has to be more than a past-time, more than an optional activity to do on a boring spring day. To keep the ball rolling and interest up, MLS needs to convince the media moguls to treat them with the level of respect and coverage as other professional sports. The coverage need to be interesting, exciting and insightful, something it currently isn't. People want to be a part of something, a movement, a feeling. TO sing with the band, boo the other team, wave their flags and curse while downing a pint of Guinness. They want to be hard-core. MLS needs to find how to make this feeling tangible in the US world of soccer and promote it.

Finally, I believe the key now is to bring the level of playing in the U.S. up a notch or two. To get the fans zealously devoted, they gotta believe what they are seeing is great, herculean even. Bring on some real talent, not just Europe's leftovers and retirees. There is a new generation of American players that are ready to give us this level. Younger stars with moldable talent, ready to do whatever it takes and persevere, fight to the death (figuratively speaking). Let's recruit some young Brazilian players and offer them deals that will make them choose the US over the more acclaimed leagues abroad. Everyone knows the MLS is not up to the same level as those, where soccer players are glorified celebrities. Unfortunately, the MLS doesn't seem to have the money to recruit these quality foreign players (due to their single-entity corporate structure, I don't know?).

Rich Honsolson is a sports consultant at World Soccer Connection, a networking and global spot for the soccer/football lovers. http://www.worldsoccerconnection.net is a football/soccer-oriented social network service and internet community focusing on the love and joy of football (soccer in the U.S.). At WSC, you can find and connect with people, blog, moderate your own profile and so much more. Learn about how to obtain soccer college scholarships and connect with coaches, players, clubs and more. Even explore attaining your own personal or team webpage through WSC's services! Visit http://www.worldsoccerconnection.net to find out more.

UEFA Euro 2008