Rare Boot for Rare Talent: Neymar JR Special Edition Hypervenom

Standout player for FC Barcelona, Neymar Jr., has collaborated with Nike to create a cleat inspired by both his close relationship with his sister and his fluid playing style. This strong familial bond is represented by matching diamond tattoos on each of their arms. Just above Neymar Jr.’s diamond tattoo is the word "sorella" for sister. His sister, Rafaella has "fratello" for brother above hers. Being one of the most valuable minerals on earth, the diamonds are meant to symoblize the rare and unbreakable bond between the two siblings. 

Stand Out Player, Stand Out Shoe
Diamonds stand out, which is exactly what Neymar Jr. wants from his cleats. He chose a chrome colorway to mimic the look of a shining diamond, and subtle accents throughout the upper are meant to appear like a liquid finish in order to compliment his renowned fluid playing style. These boots represent him as both a player and a person, highlighting his stand out moves and bold and cheerful attitude. The 3-D NikeSkin on the Hypervenom boots enhance the dimensions of the liquid diamond appearance. The traditional Nike swoosh captures Neymar Jr.’s energetic personality with bright Hyper Pink and Volt accents.

From Gold to Chrome    
Neymar Jr. is no stranger to football boot design, as this "Liquid Diamond" edition is the third installment of his specialty Hypervenom boots. In the past, Neymar Jr. launched the original Hypervenom in 2013, and then followed up with a gold edition during the 2014 World Cup. The Hypervenom series is equipped with a split-toe plate and agility traction stud pattern that enables strikers to quickly respond to enclosing defenders. 

In the Shop: We have all three silos of Neymar Jr.’s Liquid Diamond Hypervenom boots. This includes the Hypervenom Phantom, Phatal, and Phelon in adult sizes and the Phelon in youth sizes. Visit the Soccer City Soccer Shop to check out our selection.

Images (except first photo) courtesy of Nike

Bold in Blue: New Nike USA National Team Away Kit

Bold and Patriotic
For the coming year, the new U.S. away jersey aims to express national pride while also highlighting the country’s distinct style and strive for greatness. Two white stars above the Women's team badge showcase the two previous wins at the World Cup in 1991 and 1999. A pennant tab on the inside of the back neckline represents the thirteen original colonies to first declare independence with its 13 red and white stripes.

Getting Graphic
The soccer jersey features a gradient graphic starting white at the shoulders, and blending into different shades of blue until reaching a deep blue at the hem. Along the sides of both the shirt and the shorts, is a wide white stripe accentuating a player's speed and natural contour. Peeking from the v-neck is a red insert utilized to incorporate all national colors. Inspired by U.S. college and varsity sports, the player’s names and numbers will appear in a specially designed font. The jersey is paired with dark blue shorts adorned with a white stripe. Women will wear a dark blue gradient sock with a chevron pattern on the back, while the men’s team will wear a dark blue sock without the gradient design. 

Cool and Conscious 
In order to achieve the best fit, 3-D scans were taken of players to ensure that they have a high level of comfort and maximum ability to perform on the field. Both jersey and short are equipped with Nike's moisture-wicking Dri-FIT technology, and mesh panels and ventilation holes improve air circulation to regulate body temperature. Not only are these kits technologically innovative, but the jerseys, shorts, and socks are made of polyester derived from recycled plastic bottles. Each kit is made of approximately 18 recycled plastic bottles, eliminating 2 billion bottles from entering landfills since 2010. 

See the Kit in Action
The Women’s U.S. National Team will first play in the new away kit during the Algarve Cup in Portugal starting on March 4. The men will wear it on March 25 during a friendly match against Switzerland. Support the states and sport the jersey by visiting Soccer City’s Soccer Shop; now stocked with the new U.S. National away kits in men’s, women’s and youth sizes. 

Photos (except first image) courtesy of US Soccer.

Spring Cleat Arrivals: Nike Highlight Pack

After great success with the "Shine Through" collection inspired by the New Years Eve celebrations in Brazil, Nike has just introduced their "Highlight Pack" for the 2015 spring soccer season. The Highlight Pack boasts a variety of different neon colorways derived from the pops of color found on the otherwise white Shine Through collection boots. Every cleat is, of course, accented with a high contrast trademark Nike swoosh. They are stand out cleats; “highlighting” the soccer players that flaunt them on the field. 

Move Like Vapor

Enter the Nike Mercurial Vapor X in Volt and Hyper Pink; a brand new arrival in the Soccer Shop. These firm grounds are perfect for players aiming to be a highlight on the field. The cleats are designed with a tongue-less upper allowing the cleat to follow the natural contour of the foot, while providing support where needed. The micro-textured design makes it perfect for speed and ball control on both wet and dry soccer fields. 

Be Deadly on the Field With Hypervenom

Agile and deceptive attackers should check out the new Hypervenom Phantom in a striking Blue Lagoon and Total Crimson color way. The combination of NikeSkin with the 3-D honeycomb surface and Nike ACC (all conditions control), gives the player incredible control of both the ball and the field. The design allows the attacker to quickly change directions with a fast release and sprint. 

Getting Creative, Staying Classic

Nike's longest running kangaroo leather boot, the Tiempo Legend, stands out in the Highlight Pack with a Soar Blue and Volt colorway.  Keeping the focus on optimal ball feel, the Tiempo Legend has been updated with hydrophobic mesh, Hypershield Technology, and ACC Technology. The classic Tiempo Legend is designed for comfort, maximum ball control and acceleration on the soccer field. 

Best for creative playmakers, the Magista Opus features a combination of NikeSkin performance mesh, a Kanga-Lite cage, and Nike ACC, so players can comfortably attack on the field without fear of losing control in wet and dry conditions. The Magista Opus pops in the Highlight pack with a unique Poison Green and Total Orange colorway.

What we have in The Soccer Shop

For Adults: the Tiempo Legend, Mercurial Vapor X, Magista Opus, and Hypervenom Phantom are available in Highlight Pack colorways in sizes 6.5-12. The drop-down versions of these shoes (Hypervenom Phelon, Mercurial Victory, Magista Onda, and Tiempo Legacy and Genio Leather) will also be available in sizes 6.5-12.

For Youth: the Tiempo Rio II, Hypervenom Phelon, and both the Mercurial Vapor and Victory will be available in Highlight Pack colors in sizes 1-6 (Tiempo Rio is for smaller sizes up to 1.5).

Spring Cleat Arrivals: Adidas "Haters" Pack

After catching some heat from their customers for lackluster shoe designs, Adidas recently updated their current line for the 2015 spring soccer season with the “There Will Be Haters” pack. Expanding on current models, Adidas added more features and colors, while also impressing players and fans with the sharp "Black Pack" that stands apart from Nike’s current release of neon color ways.

Fueled by “Hate”

"There Will Be Haters" features new and improved styles of the 11Pro, F50 Adizero, Predator Instinct, and Nitrocharge 1.0.

The "There Will Be Haters" campaign has shaken up the soccer world by emphasizing the “hate” that the best players are subject to from opposing fans and other players. Elite players know that impressive performances can stimulate animosity from rivals. Instead of viewing this in a negative light, Adidas wants its players to “embrace the hate” and use that as fuel to drive greater performance on the field. These players thrive off the attention – and make no apology for relishing in the “hate.”

Possessed by Speed

The new F50 Adizero is designed for maximum speed on the soccer field. Adidas updated the F50's overall appearance with a unique “Ghost” graphic featured throughout the upper. A new 3-D Dribbletex layer covers the striking graphic in order to maintain a player’s ball control in a variety of weather conditions.The classic Three Stripe branding is featured on the heel and tongue instead of its traditional positioning down the side of the boot. Inspired by sprint spikes, the F50 Adizero has a new stud design with an extra layer of studs increasing grip and traction on firm ground.  The boots were also designed with a HybridTouch upper, utilizing the benefits of leather, but in a strong, lightweight synthetic with long-term shape retention. European players like Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, and James Rodriguez will be wearing these boots on pitch. 

Predator Instinct FG

Stalk your prey on the field with the new Predator Instinct firm ground cleats. This boot is equipped with a newly engineered gel pad on its instep for precision passing and ball control. These Predators are constructed of a newly developed, “super-soft” upper material that combines the benefits of both leather and synthetic materials. The 3-D graphic SL rubber stripes provide optimal grip on the ball, with a brand new transparent Control Frame outsole for an ultimate touch through the forefoot. 

What we have in stock: For Adults, The Soccer Shop will be carrying the F50 and F10 in Solar Red, the 11Nova in white & blue, and the full "Black Pack" featuring the Nitrocharge 1.0, Predator Instinct, F50 Adizero and the 11Pro. In Youth sizes, The Shop will carry the Predator Absolado in Solar Red & Purple and the F10 in Solar Red.

Youth sizes will run 2-6 and Adult sizes will run 6.5-12.

Images courtesy of adidas.