adidas miCoach Technology

 

 

Many people ask what exactly the miCoach really is and how it works. If you are a runner you are probably familiar with the technology Nike uses for tracking long distance runs. The technology adidas uses is very similar but has actually been adapted to be used in a soccer game. The miCoach is a small microchip that you can either put in your shoe or attach on the outside. The chip tracks your speed, distance, pace and time played.

 

After you have played a game using your miCoach chip, you can then upload your stats onto your PC or iPhone and share them with your friends through any social media portal through the free miCoach Soccer application. Besides just sharing your stats, you can also compare your results with friends and compete in online games using an avatar that you create. Your avatar is equipped with all of your stats and skills.

 

Some other key features of the miCoach include the "Always awake" mode that activates your miCoach after three strides, replaceable lithium battery that lasts for up to 5 months, and the ability to compare your stats to the pros. 

The miCoach technology is revolutionary for the soccer world. It allows individual players and teams to keep track of their stats and progress within the season.

It fits into most adidas cleats that come in women's and men's sizes. The retail price for either style, PC or iPhone is $69.95. Both styles are available in store or online at www.soccer2000.com.

Messi Wins Fourth FIFA Ballon D'Or

On January 6th, 2012 Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina was named this year's winner of the Ballon D'Or award. This was Messi's fourth straight award of being named the best player in the world. Winning the Ballon D'Or for the fourth time put Messi ahead of Zinedine Zidane of France and Christiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Portugal.

This isn't the first record Messi has broken this season. In 2012 he scored 91 season goals breaking Gerd Muller's previous record of 85 goals in 1972. “My record stood for 40 years, 85 goals in 60 games, and now the best player in the world has broken it, and I’m delighted for him,” Muller said after Messi surpassed his tally. “He is an incredible player, gigantic.”

“When I was eight years old I never dreamed of being the best,” Messi, 25, said before being presented with the trophy in Zurich. “I don’t dream about it now. The only thing that interests me is to play with the ball and enjoy the game.”

Ronaldo came in second to Messi in the polls taken for the FIFA Ballon D'Or. When asked about how he feels about Messi and competing as the title of best player, Ronaldo responded with, "I do not feel much rivalry, at least not personally. Of course we are here to win, but there is no rivalry. It is just about the football -- that is what counts.”

With Messi playing so well with fellow players Iniesta and Hernandez on Barcelona's offense, he is well on his way to breaking even more season records. Barcelona is one of the main power houses of European soccer with three out of the last four Spanish Championships on their record. In addition, Barcelona has also won twice in the past four seasons in Europe's Champions League.

Messi is a team player and is more focused on his team's success as a whole rather than his personal advances. “This has not been my best year,” Messi said. “I’m more interested in team awards than individual awards. There were other years when we won more trophies, so they were better.”

Despite the discussions over whether or not Messi is truly the best in the world, he is well on his way to becoming a house hold name in the soccer world.

Passback Program

Got any gently used soccer equipment sitting around your house that you don't use? Bring it on over to Soccer 2000 and donate it to the US Soccer Foundation's Passback Program. Underprivileged kid's all over the world receive the equipment and uniforms that we donate. To date, over 900,000 pieces of soccer equipment and uniforms have been collected and redistributed around the world through the program with collection sites all over the United States.

In August of 2012 equipment collected from Soccer 2000 and CSA Batch 87 was handed over to Councilor Bimbo Quintos (District 4, Manila). Councilor Quintos shared stories of the poor playing conditions that the children must play in as well as how they share equipment in order to play. Our donations help these kids so that they don't have to do that anymore.

 

Even donations from April of 2012 are making a lasting impression. A simple donation can change a child's life. Donations are taking year round so feel free to drop off any used equipment or apparel you are no longer using.