In New Jersey, Eric Goldstein asks, "Who is going to take the torch and become the new face of U.S. soccer" now that Galaxy F Landon Donovan was left off of the World Cup squad? The "prime candidates to accept the hand-off are most likely" F Clint Dempsey, G Tim Howard and MF Michael Bradley. Dempsey "is the most likely player to emerge as America’s golden boy," as he "is the team captain, has scored a goal in each of the last two World Cups and is second on the all-time goals list." However, a couple goals "won’t do it," as he "has to be clutch and amazing and do it every game." Howard "could emerge with some mind-boggling saves and shutouts over top teams." Bradley "is a rising star with the national team." A "standout performance in Brazil would also bring the midfielder attention back home" as he now plays for Toronto FC. Another player that "could challenge for the role" is F Jozy Altidore. He has the "speed, finishing ability and pizazz that could catch the eyes of the nation" (SOUTH JERSEY TIMES, 6/16).
DON'T (JUST) DO IT: In London, Charles Sale reports FIFA global partner adidas is "furious the vast wardrobe of gear" Nike provides to the English national team "includes heavily branded clothing with little or no obvious England logos." An adidas spokesperson said, "This is a massive issue for us." adidas said that it has "contacted agents of their players to ask for their support in the protest" to England's Football Association, with a legal battle "looking likely" (London DAILY MAIL, 6/16).
STICKER SHOCK: In Ft. Lauderdale, Miriam Valverde writes in a sign of soccer's "spreading popularity, fans around the world are frantically trying to collect" Panini's 643 World Cup stickers -- showing players, stadiums and team logos -- that they "need to fill an album." Panini "has issued albums around the world since 1970, but the sensation came to the U.S. just four years ago, and it is raging in South Florida." Panini America VP/Marketing Jason Howarth: "Other countries have had this 40-years tradition. To see the excitement for the product in the U.S. market speaks to the validation of the game in the U.S." (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/16).
ITALIAN STYLE: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Manuela Mesco noted Italian designer Versace VP & Creative Dir Donatella Versace "has come up with shirts" for the World Cup that cost up to $609. One of the shirts "has two soccer balls on its sleeves, with others scattered elsewhere, plus the silhouette of a soccer player running behind a ball." The company declined to disclose how many t-shirts it is selling, but a spokesperson said that customer reception "has been positive so far" (WSJ.com, 6/13).
