Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Cleats.
The Miracle Man
Sooo... how to begin. Back in 1986, in the living room of our small apartment in Hollywood, Florida I witnessed on my old 19" color TV, (you know the ones with the big "tube" like screen) a short man running through the whole English defense with a soccer ball glued to his feet at a breakneck speed in what was to become the most amazing soccer moment for me, for a long time.
By Luis De Gregorio8 years ago in Cleats
Chasing Football
It is 9:30 AM on a Wednesday morning, and I find myself sitting at my computer perusing job adverts for an opening in football, as I have many mornings before. It has been over a year since I started looking for a job in football, and 4 months of sporadic employment since I started my General Management Programme in Sports Business. A course I enrolled in to help me break into the industry, and despite my best efforts, I have not yet landed my dream job. But, a lot has changed in that time. My husband and I have both lost our jobs; we moved into a new home; I made a lot of new contacts and attended my first sports business conference. Some things, however, remain the same. I am still hoping and dreaming of my big break, and I still have the look of hopeful desperation that I hope screams “Hire me” to potential employers. Yet with each application, I am reminded of how much experience is worth… and of how little experience I have in the industry. I have contacted every person I was advised to, followed up on every potential lead, had meetings, phone calls and even one or two interviews. I have researched the perfect cover letter, opening lines, read up on every team and every business ahead of every meeting or letter. Yet, despite all my hard work, I find myself still perusing those same job offers in the hopes that one application will work out.
By Clare Dinsdale8 years ago in Cleats
Swansea vs. Tottenham
Viewers are in for a treat as they will get a chance to see the likes of Dele, Son, Christian Eriksen and Co. go up against a very acute, tactical Swansea team. This match is capable of being an upset alert. If you are a Tottenham fan, turn away; Spurs have yet to win an FA Cup game away from Wembley stadium and have had to get some luck to be awarded replays against lower opposition. If you are new to soccer this is must watch television as the "magic" of the FA Cup will be on full view.
By Dillon White8 years ago in Cleats
The Heart; The Biggest Game Changer
There are certain feelings that I'll never forget. Feelings like when the doctor looked me in the eyes and told me my clearing date, or told me if I would be cleared in general, and it was not what I was expecting. Feelings like when my physical therapist gave me an exercise and then I would go and I would do it and it was painful and it was hard and I wanted to give up but I wanted it so bad that I knew I couldn’t. Feelings like sitting on the sideline, hurting so bad on the inside and wishing nothing more than being able to put my cleats on and go play. Feelings like hearing people complain about having to go to practice or games and wanting to just scream at them. Feelings like sitting in my room at night and realizing how much further I had to go. Feelings like bending my knee and only getting it to 80 percent but doing all I could to keep going; then trying to hyperextend my knee and the pain was making me want to quit but I wanted to play so bad that I clenched my fists and fought through the pain. I'll never forget those feelings. But there's also one more feeling that I'll never forget. I'll never forget the feeling of that day. The day where I got to put my cleats back on. The day where I got to put that jersey on. The day that for the first time in nine months, nine long and hard months, that I gotta do what I loved again.
By Hannah Bird8 years ago in Cleats
10 Most Feared Soccer Hooligan Gangs
To say that football hooliganism sometimes entails violent behavior is an understatement. A soccer thug may throw a rival fan fifty feet to their death or toss an explosive into a police officer's car. These are the sort of things you do in the first five minutes of the best Stallone movies to justify why Sly pulling into your town to clean things up! Here are ten examples of the horrors unleashed upon the world by the most feared soccer hooligan gangs.
By Chica Reyass8 years ago in Cleats
Manchester United Are Found Out
After two weeks of beating top four rivals and last minute comebacks, Manchester United were brought back down to Earth against Sevilla. They were dumped out of the Champions League (after probably the worst performance of the season) by a team that is over ten points behind the Champions League places in La La Liga.
By Rachel Brown8 years ago in Cleats
Casey Murphy a New Hope Solo
Casey Murphy: 6’1'' GK of Bridgewater, NJ for Bridgewater-Raritan HS she was ranked the #18 player in NJ and a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com, she lead her HS team to win the NJSIAA group IV state championship in her senior season. She made 131 saves, had 16 shoutouts, and was awarded HS MVP. Meanwhile at the club level Her PDA Slamers won the ECNL U17 national championship while she wasn't on the field, she was a student-teacher aide at a local school.
By John McKeon8 years ago in Cleats
10 Things Every Soccer Player Experiences
Athletes experience a whole lot of different things compared to those who don't play any sports. From baseball to basketball, hockey, and football, players within these sports handle a lot off and during games. However, soccer players are also among those who have a love and hate relationship with their sport. From pain to bliss, there are reasons why soccer players truly enjoy playing soccer. And it's not because they're constantly getting attacked by players and the soccer ball, but other aspects that makes the sport a passion to them.
By C.C. Curtis8 years ago in Cleats
10 Reasons You Should Date a Soccer Player
Soccer is an interesting sport with a pretty complex concept. But you know what else is interesting? The sexy players out on the field. Honestly, some of us only watch soccer to get a good look at these players. The shape of their toned bodies, their phenomenal footwork with the ball, and their amazing butts... Anyways, soccer players are pretty unique in so many ways. While they love everything and anything about soccer, they also hold loving relationships with family, friends, and their significant other. They're not just devoted to the sport, so never assume that he'll have zero time for you. Soccer players can balance out their sport and personal life, just like how they perfectly balance the soccer ball on their foot.
By Jennifer Violet8 years ago in Cleats
How To Protect Yourself from a Soccer Injury
It's so easy to get an injury in soccer, in any sport as a matter of fact. Since we're hustling on the field or on the court, we tend to put ourselves at risk of getting an injury in any way. We sometimes lose ourselves in the moment and literally risk our bodies to score a goal. But honestly, in order to really go out there and get a goal, you're going to need to put more force into your actions. But this can possibly lead to injuries.
By George Nekilan8 years ago in Cleats
