Uniroyal Soccer Program's 10th Anniversary Top "10" Lists

In honor of our 10th anniversary of the Uniroyal® Soccer Program, Uniroyal has put together informative lists of "10" ranging from fun facts about soccer to tips for parents and players to get the most out of the soccer season. Check back here for updates throughout the year and join us in celebrating the great sport of soccer!

10 Fun Facts about the Uniroyal® Soccer Program

  1. The Uniroyal® Soccer Program is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year.
  2. Uniroyal has donated nearly one million soccer balls to youth soccer leagues since the program began.
  3. The soccer balls Uniroyal has donated could fill 4,000 station wagons.
  4. In the last ten years, the Uniroyal Soccer Program has raised almost $12 million in donations for youth soccer leagues.
  5. The Uniroyal Soccer Program could fill more than eight 747s with the soccer balls it has donated to youth soccer leagues!
  6. The Uniroyal Soccer Program started in 2000 with around 200 dealers and has grown to over 1,000 in both America and Canada!
  7. Forty-eight out of 50 American states, plus the District of Columbia have dealers participating in the Uniroyal Soccer Program in 2009.
  8. All the soccer balls Uniroyal has given away since 2000 could fill more than three Olympic size swimming pools.
  9. The Uniroyal Soccer Program has donated funds and equipment to over 3,000 youth soccer leagues.
  10. Uniroyal donates $2 for every Uniroyal tire a dealer sells during a 30 day period to leagues in the program.
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10 Nutrition Tips for Players

  1. Drink plenty of fluids. You can lose two liters of fluid in sweat during soccer games, hindering your performance. Sport drinks are a popular choice for hydration. They are lightly sweetened to provide carbohydrates.
  2. After the game, drink about three cups of fluid for every pound lost while you played.
  3. Don't try to lose weight during the season. Soccer players run an average of 5.6 miles in a match, so your need for calories is high! If you cut back your caloric intake, you deprive your body of the fuel it needs to perform successfully.
  4. Eat something within 30 minutes after your practice or game. Replacing used carbohydrates is essential. Some examples of nutritious snacks include: medium bagel, pretzels, fruit yogurt, large banana, cranberry-apple juice or orange juice.
  5. Eat protein. Protein not only helps muscles grow, but also repairs muscle damage after exercise. Good sources of protein include: fish, chicken, turkey, beef, low-fat dairy products (yogurt, cheese and milk), eggs and soy foods.
  6. Eat healthy foods. Choose grilled foods instead of fried foods and eat the right portions from each food group.
  7. Keep your diet packed with nutrient-dense foods. Foods such as whole grain breads and cereals, rice, beans, pasta, vegetables and fruit are excellent choices and are considered nutrient-dense because they are not only high in carbohydrates, but supply other nutrients, vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber.
  8. As a general rule, if the time between lunch and practice is more than two hours, try to make sure you have a nutritious snack in between.
  9. When traveling to all day tournaments and games away from home, be sure to select low-fat and healthy options from the menu at fast-food restaurants. Most menus offer low fat, nutritious choices. If you are having trouble deciding, look for the method of preparation as a clue. Low fat preparation methods include: grilled, steamed, broiled, charbroiled or poached. Preparation methods to avoid are: fried, crispy, breaded, creamed, scampi-style, buttery, au gratin or with gravy.
  10. Stay energized. The best balance for young athletes: 50 to 55 percent of calories from carbohydrates, such as breads, cereal, rice and pasta; 10 to 15 percent from protein like meat, poultry, fish, dry beans and nuts; and 25 to 30 percent from fats such as oils and sweets.
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10 Sportsmanship Tips for Parents

  1. Let your children establish their own goals and play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose your own standards and goals upon them.
  2. Don't place too heavy a burden on your child to win games.
  3. Remember your children are learning, which means they make mistakes. It is important to praise instead of criticize.
  4. Keep a positive attitude. Remember a ticket to a sporting event is not a license to verbally assault others, including officials, coaches, players and parents from the opposing team.
  5. Learn the rules since youth guidelines vary. When you show up for games, pay attention and avoid chatting with other parents on the sidelines so you can offer your child positive feedback.
  6. Recognize your responsibility as a role model. Your child watches your behaviors and is likely to handle situations based upon your actions.
  7. Accept the judgment calls of the game officials and respect their jobs. They are doing their best to support the youth of your community.
  8. Encourage your child's teammates if they make a mistake. Don't criticize!
  9. Applaud good play no matter who makes it. Focusing solely on your child sends the message that you're more interested in grooming the next great soccer star than encouraging team effort.
  10. Nurture a well-rounded child by supporting his or her interests in several extracurricular activities whether it's a different sport or another activity.
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10 Ways to Make Your Car Ready for the Soccer Season

  1. Check your tires' inflation once a month. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, a tire that's 20 percent under-inflated reduces fuel economy by three percent.
  2. Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tuning your engine according to your owner's manual can improve gas mileage by up to four percent.
  3. Take a few minutes to double check your car's important documents. Make sure you have your registration, insurance information and other documents located in your car. Each document should be properly up-to-date. This will come in handy to avoid untimely delays in an emergency situation.
  4. Keep both front and rear tires aligned. Improper wheel alignment can reduce fuel economy by five percent. Common symptoms indicating your car needs an alignment include: uneven tire tread wear, pulling to one side, wandering and an off-center steering wheel. Your local Uniroyal dealer can assess your vehicle's wheel alignment.
  5. Do you keep extra supplies in your car to help you remain frugal when out and about? Keep extra items handy during the soccer season to help save time and money. Items such as crackers, bottled water, an umbrella and extra clothes in your car will make your life easier.
  6. Replacing a severely clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your vehicle's air filter should be checked at every oil change for possible replacement.
  7. Be prepared for bad weather during the season. Always change your worn windshield wiper blades to ensure clear visibility when driving your players home.
  8. When it comes to commuting or traveling any distance, a roadside car kit can mean the difference between getting back on the road or being stuck for a long period of time. Prepare your own kit or purchase one.
  9. For safety purposes, always keep an emergency first-aid kit in your car. First-aid items should be well stocked before the season begins. By keeping an emergency kit in your trunk you will be prepared for the unexpected.
  10. Make sure all your lights, signals, seatbelts and interiors systems are properly working in your vehicle. By running a check on all your interior systems, you could avoid trouble in the future.
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10 Money Savings Tips for Traveling to and from the Field

  1. Shop around for gas using the Internet. Research by Uniroyal shows gas prices vary by as much as 16 cents per gallon in a typical market. Shop around for gas by checking out independent Web sites such as GasBuddy.com or GasPriceWatch.com to find the lowest price in your area.
  2. Consider joining a discount warehouse superstore that offers gasoline at discounted prices.
  3. Use cruise control when driving on the highway. It maintains a constant speed and can save you nine percent in fuel economy.
  4. Combine trips. When you drop the kids off for soccer practice, go to the grocery store, drop off the dry cleaning, or go the gym. Imagine the savings if you reduced your weekly mileage by just 10 miles a week!
  5. During the hotter months, go easy on the air conditioning. Roll down your car's windows and let in the summer breeze. Using the air conditioning as sparingly as possible will give your car's fuel economy a real boost.
  6. Avoid idling. The average car uses about a cup of gasoline for every six minutes when idling. Remember, it takes less gas to restart a car than it does to idle for more than a minute. Turn off your car when waiting for the kids to complete the last drill in soccer practice. In addition, skip the long drive-thru lines and go inside.
  7. Avoid packing items on top of your car. A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by five percent. When traveling to soccer tournaments, use your vehicle's roof rack as a last resort.
  8. Park in the first spot you find. If you wander all over the parking lot looking for the closest parking space, you'll use more gas. Even if you have to walk a little, it's good exercise.
  9. Consider using a fuel credit card that offers cash back earnings on fuel purchases.
  10. Fill up your tank when it is closer to empty. You are hauling a lighter load, thus being more fuel efficient.
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10 Notable Dates in Soccer History

  1. 1697 B.C.
    The earliest known version of soccer dates back to the invention of tsu-chu by Chinese Emperor Huang-Ti. The game was played by kicking a leather ball.
  2. 1862
    The first organized soccer club in the U.S., the Oneidas of Boston, was established. In Boston Common, a monument still stands in recognition of where they played their home games.
  3. 1863
    The rules of modern-day soccer date back to October of this year when representatives from London clubs and schools met to establish guidelines for themselves.
  4. 1872
    The first international match was played on November 30th in Glasgow, Scotland between Scotland’s oldest soccer club, Queen’s Park, and England.
  5. 1900
    Soccer was included as an exhibition sport in the Olympics in 1900 and 1904. It became an official sport during the 1908 Olympic Games in London.
  6. 1904
    Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international governing body and organizer of soccer’s major tournaments, was formed by seven European nations in Paris on May 21.
  7. 1930
    Soccer’s major tournament, the World Cup, was first held in Uruguay with 13 teams participating. Uruguay beat Argentina for the trophy with a final score of 4-2.
  8. 1991
    The first Women’s World Cup, known as the Women’s World Championship, was held in China with twelve teams represented. The U.S. claimed victory against Norway with a final score of 2-1.
  9. 1994
    The World Cup was held in the United States for the first time. Brazil beat Italy 3-2 in a game that had the highest attendance in World Cup history and was the most attended single sporting event in U.S. history.
  10. 2002
    For the first time in World Cup history, the games were played outside of America and Europe and took place in two countries. Japan and South Korea co-hosted the tournament that led to Brazil winning a record fifth time.
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10 Fun Facts about Soccer in the U.S.

  1. The first form of soccer played in the U.S. was by the Native Americans who called it "Pasuckquakkohwog," which means "they gather to play football."
  2. The U.S. has more soccer players than any other nation in the world — almost 18 million. Of these players, 78% are under the age of 18.
  3. The largest youth soccer organization in the country, the U.S. Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), is celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year. It started in 1974 with 100,000 members and today has more than 3.2 million members.
  4. The U.S. hosted its first World Cup in 1994. Held from June 17 to July 17, a total of 52 teams participated, and Brazil took the title. It remains the highest attended World Cup and also holds the record for highest attended single-sport event in the U.S.
  5. The most attended event in the history of women’s sports was the 1999 World Cup final in Pasadena, CA. Over 90,000 people in the stadium watched the U.S. Women’s National Team win their second title through a penalty shot against China in overtime.
  6. Major League Soccer, the U.S.’s professional soccer league, was founded in 1993. The first season took place in 1996 with ten teams, including the Columbus Crew, D.C. United, the New England Revolution, the NY/NJ MetroStars, the Tampa Bay Mutiny, the Colorado Rapids, the Dallas Burn, the Kansas City Wiz, the Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Clash.
  7. The University of North Carolina (UNC) has won an incredible 19 national championships in women's soccer since the first U.S. college tournament in 1982. No other school has won more than three titles.
  8. While the term “Soccer Mom” has been around for many years, its popularity grew significantly during the 1996 presidential election when the candidates began referring to this demographic. It became so widespread that the Boston Globe called 1996 the “Year of the Soccer Mom” and “Soccer Mom” was voted Word of the Year by the American Dialect Society.
  9. The National Soccer Hall of Fame was established in 1979 and is located in Oneonta, NY. It houses an extensive archive of memorabilia associated with soccer in the U.S.
  10. The U.S. Soccer Federation, known as U.S. Soccer, is the governing body of the sport in the U.S. It was officially recognized by FIFA in 1913. The U.S. Soccer headquarters is located in Chicago and employs over 100 staff members.
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10 Fun Facts about International Soccer

  1. Soccer is the world’s most popular ball game, with over 40 million registered players across all 7 continents and played in over 150 nations.
  2. Soccer is known as football in practically every country except the U.S. and Canada, where the gridiron sport is called “football” and football is known as “soccer.” The formal name for the sport internationally is association football.
  3. Brazil holds the record for most World Cup wins with a total of five. Brazil is also the only nation to have qualified for every World Cup.
  4. USA, Great Britain and Hungary are tied for the most Olympic gold medals in soccer with each country possessing three.
  5. European teams have competed in the World Cup finals every year except in 1930 and 1950.
  6. India withdrew from the 1950 World Cup because they were not allowed to play barefoot.
  7. Germany played soccer for 15 years without a coach until Otto Nerz was named the first official coach in 1923.
  8. Turkey beat Spain in the 1954 World Cup qualifier by drawing straws. After three matches no winner was found to move forward, so an Italian native boy was blindfolded and picked straws to decide the winner.
  9. During the 1950 World Cup games, the U.S. beat England with a score of 1-0, but a British newspaper reported the results as U.S., 1 and England, 10. The editor believed there was a typing mistake since an easy win and double-digit goals were anticipated for England. The match is considered by many as one of the greatest upsets in the history of the World Cup.
  10. The original World Cup trophy’s whereabouts are unknown. It was stolen in 1966 and later found underneath a bush in London. It was stolen again in 1983 while on display in Brazil and has never been found.
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10 Players that Made an Impact on the History of Soccer

  1. Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Brazil)
    Pelé is arguably the greatest soccer player of all time because of his speed, balance and ability to control the soccer ball. His unwavering passion and dedication to the sport began at the age of 15 when he first started playing for Santos in Brazil. Over the course of his career, he scored 1,280 goals and averaged almost one goal per match. To date, he is the only internationally known soccer player to have participated in three World Cups.
  2. Johan Cruyff (The Netherlands)
    Johan Cruyff is considered by many to be the successor to Pelé as the world’s next greatest soccer player. He is the most famous soccer player to be associated with the philosophy of “Total Football,” in which a player is so highly skilled that he or she can take over the position of any other player on the team. Because of his talents, Cruyff, often referred to as the “total footballer,” has been named the European Footballer of the Year three times.
  3. Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina)
    Alfredo Di Stefano is considered the world’s best all-around player, whether it was scoring tough goals or defending his team. Recognized as one of the most important soccer players of the ‘50s and ‘60s, he claimed eight Spanish League titles and won the first five European Cups, impressively scoring a goal in every match.
  4. Diego Maradona (Argentina)
    Diego Maradona is credited with scoring two of the most well-known goals in the history of soccer, both which occurred during the 1986 World Cup games. In the “Hand of God” goal, Maradona accidentally punched the ball into the net with the side of his fist, but the official did not see it and allowed it. The second shot came just a few minutes later when Maradona passed six English players across 50 yards to make what was later called the “Goal of the Century.” Maradona was honored with the World Player of the Year Award in 1986 and tied with Pele in an internet vote for FIFA Player of the Century in 2006.
  5. Ferenc Puskas (Hungary)
    Ferenc Puskas was a legendary Hungarian soccer player with multiple national accomplishments. He is known as one of the best shooters in soccer history because of his remarkably accurate left foot. While playing for the Hungarian National Team, he scored an outstanding 83 goals in 84 international matches. During his time on Hungarian and Spanish national leagues, he scored an impressive 514 goals in 529 matches.
  6. Bobby Charlton, born Robert Charlton (England)
    Bobby Charlton is best known for his phenomenal long range scoring abilities. On the field, he frequently scored goals at an extraordinary distance of 25 yards away. Charlton, who played soccer professionally until he was 39 years old, won the European Footballer of the Year in 1966.
  7. Lev Yashin (Russia)
    Lev Yashin is regarded as one of the best penalty shot savers of all time. During his accomplished career as a goalkeeper, it is believed he saved over 150 penalty shots. Yashin spent his entire professional career with the Dynamo Moscow, which won the USSR football championship five times and the USSR Cup three times.
  8. Zinedine Zidane (France)
    Zinedine Zidane, born of Algerian descent, is one of only two other players to win the FIFA World Player of the Year twice, earning the award in both 1998 and 2000. He began playing for the Cannes at the age of 16 and later joined the French division. One of the biggest highlights of his career was his incredible goal scoring ability during the 1998 World Cup, which lead France to an unexpected 3-0 victory over Brazil.
  9. Eusebio, born Eusebio Da Silva Ferreira (Portugal)
    Eusebio is the most famous of all Portuguese soccer players, bringing high praise and attention to the sport in Portugal during the 1960s. Throughout his career, he was known for his remarkable speed, agility and ability to strike quickly. In 1965, he became the European Footballer of the Year and by 1969 he led his team Benfica to the Portuguese title seven times.
  10. Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
    Franz Beckenbauer, generally regarded as one of the best German soccer players in history, was nicknamed “Kaiser,” or emperor, for earning multiple titles during his teams’ competitions. In 1990, he became the first man to both captain and coach a World Cup championship team, successfully leading Germany to a victory over Argentina.
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10 Innovative Fundraiser Ideas

  1. Uniroyal® Soccer Program –- Celebrating 10 Years!
    The Uniroyal Soccer Program is an exciting way to start the soccer season by having your local Uniroyal tire dealer donate free soccer balls and funds to your league or team. In fact, Uniroyal and its tire dealers have donated almost $12 million in funds and equipment since 2000, including nearly one million soccer balls, to over 3,000 different youth soccer leagues. To find out more about the Uniroyal Soccer Program and how to participate, click here.
  2. Kick-A-Thon Day
    This fundraiser is sure to get your team excited about the season! Have parents and children sign up for a kick-a-thon. The participants will stand at center field and see how many goals they can score out of a set number of shots. Each team will be responsible for obtaining sponsors and they will give a specific amount of money for each goal scored during the kick-a-thon. This fundraiser can also be paired with opening day or an end-of-the-season gathering.
  3. Have a League T-shirt Sale
    Apparel sales are known to be a highly profitable fundraiser for teams, often allowing the team to keep $5-$7 per T-shirt sold. Contact a local printing shop to discuss a discount price on printing shirts with your team’s logo. Give out order forms during registration or have players sell them to family members and friends during the season. Team moms, coaches, administrators and concession stand workers can help sell them as well.
  4. Discount Coupons or Cards
    Everyone is looking for a great deal in their community these days. You can contact a local distributor of discount books or have your team create one. To create your own, have a group of team parents contact local businesses and restaurants to inquire about discounts they are willing to offer during the season. Take the discounts from each company and print them on a discount card or in a book. Once all discounts are ready, your team can sell them for a set price to family and friends.
  5. Selling Meal Tickets
    Families are guaranteed to have busy schedules during the season and this is an exciting way to help during dinner time. One night a month during the season, have parents prepare dinner for pick-up by people in the community. Parents and volunteers donate the food. Each child sells tickets and the person who purchased the ticket is responsible for picking up their meal(s). You can also combine this with a season pass at a discount price that guarantees meals each time your team has a meal pick-up night.
  6. Go Green this Season
    Not only can you help the environment, but your team can make money during a recycling soccer season. Going green can work for your team, whether you recycle cell phones, aluminum, plastic or printer cartridges. Collect items throughout the season to take to a recycling center or organize a recycling drive where the community brings items to you.
  7. Photography Fundraiser
    Photography fundraisers are a great way for parents and spectators to enjoy the game without having to worry about taking pictures of the players and team. Contact a local photography studio and discuss a discount for the team. A photographer will then come and take action shots of kids playing at the games. The pictures will be available for sale to families by the studio and they will donate a portion of the sales to your team.
  8. Silent Auction
    On a game day, have a silent auction to raise money for the league. A silent auction will allow families and spectators to bid on items and win without having to be present. At the beginning of the season, advertise when you will hold the silent auction then have parents or relatives donate items for set-up, such as tables and chairs. Each team will be responsible for obtaining a specific number of items to donate. On the day of the auction, set up all items for display with bid cards. Determine an end time for bidding and the highest bidder wins.
  9. Game Day Dunking Booth
    This fundraiser will be sure to add excitement to the field before and after games. Contact a local entertainment supply company to negotiate a discount price for renting a dunking booth for the day. Before the day of the fundraiser, ask coaches, referees and others in the league who would like to participate to sit in the dunking booth. Whoever takes a shot would pay a small fee at the chance to see the volunteers take a cool dip.
  10. End of the Season Carnival Day
    There is nothing better than celebrating the end of the season while raising money for next season. Carnival day will be an event gala that features many different fundraising activities all in one setting. Start planning at the beginning of the season and organize a committee who will manage details such as games, food, attractions, etc. Sell tickets for admission to all of the various activities and have prizes or candy available for winners. Don’t forget to generate an interest early among players and publicize dates frequently to the community for a successful carnival.
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10 of Today's Top Soccer Players

  1. Leo, born Lionel Andres Messi (Argentina)
    At the age of 22, Messi is rapidly becoming one of the world’s best midfielders. His career began at 16 with Spanish club FC Barcelona where he became the youngest player in the history of the club to score a league goal. Messi has been in contention for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Player of the Year Award for the past two seasons. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, he won a gold medal as a member of the Argentinean National Team.
  2. Kaká, born Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (Brazil)
    Kaká has been recognized as one of the best soccer players of his generation. He started his career at the young age of eight, when he was signed by the Brazilian club São Paulo FC. In 2003, he became a member of the Italian club AC Milan. After helping AC Milan win the Union of European Football Associations’ (UEFA) Champions League title and the FIFA World Club Cup, he received the FIFA World Player of the Year award along with several other honors in 2007. He will join the Spanish team Real Madrid for the 2010 season.
  3. Mia Hamm, born Mariel Margret Hamm (United States)
    Mia Hamm plays forward on the U.S. Women’s National Team and has been called the best female soccer player in the world. Hamm’s debut was in 1987 at the age of 15, where she played for the U.S. National Team. She has been honored as U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year three times (1994, 1995 and 1996).
  4. David Beckham (England)
    David Beckham is arguably one of the most famous soccer players in the world. At the age of 16, he established his career playing for Manchester United. During his 1996/97 season, his infamous goal from the halfway line at Wimbledon brought him into the spotlight. In 1998, Beckham participated in his first World Cup. Beckham is the second highest paid soccer player in the world, having earned nearly 30 million dollars in 2008. He currently plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the England National Team.
  5. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
    Widely known throughout the world, Ronaldo started his career at the age of 17 playing for the Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon. He went on to gain stardom when he joined Manchester United the following season in 2003. During his time on the team, he scored 117 goals in 290 games. He was named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008 and currently plays for the Spanish club Real Madrid.
  6. Marta Viera da Silva (Brazil)
    Another outstanding female soccer player is Marta Viera da Silva. She rose to the spotlight as a team member of the Swedish club Umeå IK, where her performance garnered three consecutive FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Awards. As part of the Brazilian Women’s National Team, Marta received a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. Beginning next season she will play for the Los Angeles Sol, a U.S. Women’s Professional Soccer League team.
  7. Thierry Henry (France)
    Henry’s first step in his professional career was during his tenure as a team member of AS Monaco FC. Playing on the French National Team since 1997, he holds the record for most goals scored. He eventually transferred from Juventus to the English club team Arsenal, where his career reached new heights. Henry became the leading goal scorer in Arsenal history with 214 goals. Currently, he holds the record for most goals scored in the English Premier League with 164.
  8. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
    Eto’o has risen to prominence for his outstanding positional awareness and extreme agility, making him one of the best strikers in the world. His first appearance was at the age of 15, and he later signed with FC Barcelona in 2004. He was recently named as one of the strikers for the Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballers Professionnels (FIFPro) World XI team for the second consecutive year. Eto’o was voted African Footballer of the Year in 2003, 2004 and 2005, becoming the first player to win the award three years in a row.
  9. Frank Lampard (England)
    Lampard is known for his abilities at both the Club and National levels. After rising through the ranks at West Ham United, Lampard joined Chelsea in 2001. In 2008, he became the eighth Chelsea player to score 100 goals and is currently the top scoring midfielder in Chelsea’s history. Lampard has received the Chelsea Player of the Year honor in 2004, 2005, and 2006, as well as England’s Player of the Year award in 2005. He currently plays for Premier League club Chelsea and the England National Team.
  10. Ronaldinho, born Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (Brazil)
    Ronaldinho, known for his ball control and scoring capabilities, won numerous awards during his early career while playing for Gremio, Paris St. Germain and FC Barcelona. He was named the European Footballer of the Year in 2005 and the FIFPro World Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. He also received the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2004 and 2005.

We realize this list does not represent everyone’s opinion. There are many great players in the sport today. We feel these ten players deserve to be highlighted as exemplary athletes and role models for young players.

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10 Soccer Movies to Share with the Family

  1. Her Best Move (MGM Home Entertainment, 2008)
    An average 15 year-old girl, Sara Davis is currently juggling school, friends, parental pressure, sports and love interests. She soon discovers she will need to add one more thing to her list when she has the chance to join the U.S. National Team.
  2. Soccer Mom (Anchor Bay, 2008)
    In order to keep her daughter’s team spirit alive, Becca, an obsessive soccer mom, disguises herself as a famous soccer coach hired to lead her daughter’s soccer team. Becca finds herself in a whirlwind of trouble and has to uphold both personalities to make it to the end of the season.
  3. Gracie (Warner Home Video, 2007)
    This film is based on a true story. Gracie, a young teenager, is grieving the loss of her soccer superstar brother, Johnny. In order to help herself and her family deal with the loss of her brother, Gracie is determined to fill his open spot on the high school varsity soccer team. Gracie’s father struggles with her decision to play the sport while preparing her for tryouts.
  4. Goal! The Dream Begins (Touchstone Pictures, 2006)
    Santiago aspires to become a professional soccer star. But since he lives in the lower class Barrios section of Los Angeles, most would consider his goal only a dream and nothing more. During his struggles, one day of events changes Santiago’s aspirations when he finds himself trying out for the Premiership club Newcastle United.
  5. Kicking and Screaming (Universal Studios, 2005)
    Phil Weston has an extremely competitive nature and passion for coaching a winning team. His son, Sam, follows in his footsteps of sitting on the bench in every sport including his grandfather’s soccer team, the Bucks. Sam’s grandfather then trades him to the underdog team, the Tigers. Phil becomes the coach of the team and they find themselves playing in the championship game against the Bucks.
  6. Bend It Like Beckham (20th Century Fox, 2003)
    Jess is a young English girl who loves soccer and is an extremely talented player. Her parents have other dreams for her and do not agree with her playing soccer. She soon meets Jules and joins the local soccer team to play alongside her friends, all while keeping it a secret from her parents. Ultimately, she must choose between playing the game or following her parents’ wishes.
  7. Air Bud: World Pup (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 2000)
    Former basketball dog star, Buddy, earns himself a position playing along the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team. After becoming a father of puppies mid-season, he leads the team to a championship game and tries to save one of his little pups from danger.
  8. The Big Green (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 1995)
    A former local sports hero and a foreign exchange student come together to help local offbeat kids play soccer and hopefully become champions. While making friends and facing challenges, the team learns sportsmanship and individuality.
  9. Ladybugs (Paramount Home Entertainment, 1992)
    Businessman Chester Lee is ready for a promotion, but he must coach the company-sponsored girl’s soccer team before earning it. Chester knows nothing about soccer and his team is not cooperative. To motivate the players, he convinces his soccer-playing son Matthew to pretend to be a girl and join the team. Chester becomes a star coach by leading the team to victory, but soon has to make life decisions about his job and family.
  10. Those Glory, Glory Days (Trinity Home Entertainment, 1984)
    Journalist Julia is a sports reporter who admires the game of soccer. While riding home with her childhood hero, Danny Blanchflower, flashbacks take the audience to her younger days where she and three friends make it through their teen years by playing and loving the sport.

We understand the list of movies above is not inclusive, but it offers an enjoyable selection of soccer related films.

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10 Fanatic Soccer Cities

  1. Rio de Janeiro (Rio), Brazil
    The city of Rio de Janeiro houses the country’s largest soccer fan base with more than 30 million loyal devotees. Most of Brazil’s greatest soccer players have emerged from Rio, including Jairzinho (Jair Ventura Filho), Ronaldo (Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima), Romário (Romário de Souza Faria) and Zico (Arthur Antunes Coimbra). Rio is home to the most popular and traditional clubs in the sport: Botafogo, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama, Flamengo and América Football Club. Fans in the city adore the famous open-air stadium, Maracana, which seats 88,000 spectators. The stadium opened in 1950 to host the World Cup and currently remains active with major soccer matches, concerts and other sporting events.
  2. Mexico City, Mexico
    Mexico City contains three of the highest regarded stadiums known throughout the soccer world. Aztec Stadium is home to the Mexican National Team, which seats 105,000 fans. The Olympic Stadium is host to Club Universidad National, with the ability to seat 63,000. Just down the street is Estadio Azul, which is the residence of Cruz Azul, and seats up to 35,000. Mexico City is the only city to host the World Cup final twice in the same venue, which took place at the Aztec Stadium in 1970 and 1986.
  3. Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Soccer is an essential part of the culture for the people of Buenos Aires. The city has the largest number of soccer teams of any city in the world, with no less than 24 active leagues per year. One of the world’s biggest rivalries exists between two of the city’s oldest teams — Boca Juniors and River Plate. River Plate’s inception dates back to 1901 and Boca Juniors was founded in 1905. Buenos Aires is also the birthplace of soccer legend, Diego Maradona, who rose to stardom and helped secure the 1986 World Cup title for Argentina.
  4. Barcelona, Spain
    Barcelona is a city with deep soccer roots dating back 100 years. It is the birthplace of FC Barcelona, one of the largest clubs in Europe and three-time winner of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League. Barcelonans unite with the club’s phrase “Més que un club,” or “More than a club,” when referring to their beloved club and the sport, believing both are a way of culture and a symbol of identity.
  5. Madrid, Spain
    Madrid is home to Real Madrid, one of the world’s most prestigious soccer clubs, and also to hometown rival, Atlético Madrid. In addition to these high-ranking clubs, the city is home to soccer legends Emilio Butragueno, Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres. In 1982, Madrid hosted the World Cup final and is one of only four European cities equipped with two UEFA five-star stadiums — Santiago Bernabéu and Vicente Calderón. Santiago Bernabéu, located in the middle of the city, seats 120,000 and has been called “a cathedral to football in the heart of Madrid” by FIFA. The city uses Vicente Calderón, with a capacity of over 54,000, to hold Spanish National Team soccer matches several times a year.
  6. Milan, Italy
    Milan is the only European city whose teams, A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano, have won both the UEFA Champions League and the Club World Cup. The city is the birthplace of several famous soccer players, including Walter Zenga, Silvio Piola, Giuseppe Meazza and Gabriele Oriali. Milan has a UEFA five-star stadium, Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, also known as San Siro, where F.C. Internazionale Milano has spent its entire career. Milan was a World Cup host city in both 1934 and 1990. It also hosted the UEFA European Soccer Championship in 1980.
  7. London, England
    London, the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, is commonly referred to as “the home of British soccer.” The city has been a soccer mecca for decades and is the most popular destination for English soccer fans. London has an impressive 13 soccer clubs, including five in the Premier League: Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. One of today’s most famous soccer players, David Beckham, was born in London.
  8. Paris, France
    Paris has a long soccer history and boasts the largest number of French soccer fans. It is home to the French national football team, club Paris Saint-Germain FC, and four amateur teams: Paris FC, Red Star, RCF Paris and Stade Francais Paris. The French national team plays at the city’s largest venue, Stade de France, with seating for 80,000 fans. The stadium was built to host a portion of the 1998 World Cup games. France won the World Cup title that year and is only the second team to win the World Cup title at home.
  9. Manchester, England
    Manchester is well-known for being a city that celebrates soccer. It is home to two premiership soccer clubs, Manchester United and Manchester City F.C. Manchester United, a club that has dominated the sport for the last 15 years, has the largest fan base in the world. Manchester City F.C. is considered the wealthiest soccer club in the world, which is attributed to its owners investing funds to attract the most talented players to the city.
  10. Munich, Germany
    Munich is the most successful city ranked in the Bundesliga, the highest level of Germany’s soccer league system. Three professional soccer teams — FC Bayern Munich, Germany’s most popular club, as well as 1860 Munich and Spielvereinigung Unterhaching — call Munich home. The city, which staged the 1974 and 2006 World Cup, is one of only three cities to host more than once.

We understand the list of cities above is not inclusive, but it offers a variety of cities passionate about soccer.

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10 Soccer Tricks, Kicks and Moves

  1. Bicycle Kick
    A bicycle kick, also known as a scissor kick, is when you hurl your body in the air in a backwards flip motion, executing a shearing movement with your legs. The objective is to get one leg high enough to kick the ball in mid-air backwards and over your head. The ball usually makes contact above waist level and is considered extremely acrobatic for even the most advanced soccer players.
  2. Sliding Tackle
    A sliding tackle, or slide tackle, is an attempt you make as a defender to take the ball away from an opposing player. To perform this move, slide on the ground feet-first into the ball, while pushing it out and away from your opponent’s feet. This tackle is often associated with fouls and misconducts. If not executed properly, the move may cause injury to your opponent.
  3. Scorpion Kick
    The scorpion kick, made famous by Colombian soccer player, Rene Higuita, requires extreme athletic ability. It is a block move, mostly made by goalkeepers, where instead of catching the ball, you jump forward toward the ground and deflect the ball with your feet. Your body should resemble a scorpion with your feet arched and in the air while your hands are on the ground. The ball will make contact with the bottom of your feet and dart forward, clearing the net of the ball.
  4. Instep Drive
    An instep drive is exactly as the name suggests — a kick taken with the instep of your foot to drive the ball forward. The move is executed by kicking the ball with your foot pointed down and ankles locked. It is one of the most powerful and accurate drives in soccer.
  5. Flick Header
    A flick header, also known as glancing, is used when you want to change the path of the ball slightly, but need to keep it moving in the same general direction. When flicking the ball, extend your arms and snap your head when the ball arrives. Then, allow the bottom of the ball to meet your forehead while keeping your eyes open to determine the direction to flick the ball.
  6. Banana Kick
    The banana kick gives the ball a curved trajectory and is used to move it around an obstacle such as the goalkeeper or a defender. While kicking the ball, lightly make contact low, on the right side to direct it to the right or on the left side if it needs to go left. The kick makes the ball curve or bend in flight before it suddenly drops. This move is designed to mislead your opponent in figuring out which direction the ball will go before landing.
  7. Chip Pass
    A chip pass is when the ball is lofted high into the air to a teammate. This technique is used to evade a defender by kicking the ball over his or her head. It is an effective tool when you want to pass the ball over your opponent’s defensive line and far down the field.
  8. Rainbow Kick
    The rainbow kick is an elaborate way to juggle the ball during play. To perform this move, stand directly over the ball and place your left heel on the front of it. Position the top of your right foot on the back of the ball so just your toes are touching the ground and roll the ball slightly up your leg. Lean forward so all your weight is on your left foot and quickly flick your left heel up with force. The momentum and heel flick should send the ball over your head in an arch-shaped motion.
  9. Sombrero
    A sombrero is when you flick, juggle or scoop the ball over your opponent’s head, or go around a defender to gain control. Start off by placing your right or left foot below the ball and your knee above the ball. Then, quickly flick the ball up, still keeping your knee above the ball and leaning backwards slightly. After rapidly straightening your leg, give the ball a quick kick backwards over your opponent.
  10. Side Volley
    A side volley is when you receive the ball just below the waist and either need to crossover on offense or defense, or want to redirect a pass. Begin by leaning your body forward to keep the ball low. Then, raise one leg up to kick the ball while rotating your body toward the target. Align your shin with the ball and meet it with the top of your foot, following through with the kick.

We realize this list does not incorporate all tricks, kicks and moves of soccer, but it offers a collection of some that are popular today.

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10 Favorite Photos from the Uniroyal Soccer Program


Players from the Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Club, winners of the 2004 "Julie Foudy Clinic Sweepstakes," take a break on the field in Nederland, Texas.
Thanks to Uniroyal and Jim Spence, founder of Sports Quest Inc., a group of children from Walnut Bend Soccer in Houston, Texas gather to play a game with their soccer ball.
Players from the Clark County Soccer League of Jeffersonville, Indiana show off their new soccer balls.

During a tournament, the Dragons Soccer League from San Antonio, Texas used Uniroyal soccer balls.
Ivan de Jesus Gomez, goalkeeper for Pachuca of Mexico's U-16 division, delivers soccer balls to Hispanic children at a youth soccer tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Photo Courtesy of: Hugo Lopez
Baby Russ Mills from Stokesdale, North Carolina plays with his new Uniroyal soccer ball and has a blast!

Montana Avalanche U13 Boys of Bozeman, Montana take a moment to thank Uniroyal and Whalen Tire for their support.
Army Captain Dave Pate and Ali, a young boy from an Iraqi village, share a special day together in Iraq.
Guilford United Futbol Club U6 Fireballs in Greensboro, North Carolina with former NFL player, Ricky Proehl.

Players from the Taxandria Falcons Soccer Club in Watford, Ontario receive their free soccer balls from Acton’s Service Centre.
Photo Courtesy of: Watford Guide – Advocate (Watford, Ontario) 		   
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