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There has been a common trend throughout European leagues in recent weeks, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG seemingly continuously winning and leading the way in terms of dominant displays. And that is why it is refreshing to have a completely unique team taking this weeks top spot, as well as a player returning from injury in style. Of course, some of the usual suspects also make an appearance, but the addition of Tim Cahill and Giuseppe Rossi adds a fresh twist.
Here's what you missed this weekend in soccer.
Bryan Byrne is the founder of SoccerCleats101. Got a question about boots? Hit up Bryan on Twitter.
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No. 1 – Tim Cahill Scores Fastest Ever MLS Goal
In only took Tim Cahill 7-seconds to score the first of NY Red Bulls goals this weekend, breaking the former MLS record of 11 second that had been held by Dwayne De Rosario since 2003. It was a spectacular finish that demonstrated the world class skill still endowed to the Australian international. With the win, the Red Bulls are on course to win this seasons supporters shield.
Sticking with a modern hybrid boot, Cahill wears the adidas Predator LZ. There isn’t a specific position for this boot, which was formally exclusively designed for power. The construction of the latest release is all about multi-function and suiting more players on the pitch. Each of the five Lethal Zones serves its own unique function. Cahill is very much a multi-purpose player, with the ability to attack as well as defend making his choice of the Predator LZ very sensible.
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No. 2 – Wilshere scores “Team Goal of the Year”
If you haven’t seen Jack Wilshere’s goal from the weekend yet, do yourself a favor and hunt it down NOW. The passing involved was exquisite and the Norwich back line could do absolutely nothing to stop the passage of play. Wilshere’s final step was to place the ball in the corner of the net while one versus one with the keeper, so it won’t merit as individual goal of the season, but as a team it is was a pleasure to watch.
If there was a player worth demonstrating the traits of the Nike CTR360 Maestri it is Jack Wilshere. His style of play is the perfect example of the type of player that should be wearing the control/creator boot. We are familiar with the CTR360 range being a playmaker boot, but the latest 3rd edition to the range has so much more to offer. Wilshere, when at his best, tracks a lot of space on the pitch and is arguably the best English player at possessing the ball.
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No. 3 – Giuseppe Rossi Back With a Hattrick
Fiorentina fans will be pretty stoked to see their talisman striker, Giuseppe Rossi, back in action and scoring goals. On Sunday he bagged a very solid and extremely important hattrick. After so many injuries, it is a welcome announcement that Rossi is ready to stake a claim in the Italian squad headed to Brazil next summer.
On his feet, Rossi is currently wearing the adidas F50 adiZero. He is part of a growing list of strikers who rely on the lightweight speed boot as their goal scoring accomplice. There are currently two versions of the boot available, one in leather and one in a synthetic. Rossi has taken the same approach as players like Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale by choosing the leather version, which is softer and offers a more natural touch on the ball.
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No. 4 – Barcelona Fail to Score – All Hail Osasuna!
Going into their game on Saturday, Barcelona had scored 28 goals in 8 games – or a whopping 3.5 goals per game. But on Saturday, Osasuna put in a fine defensive display and impressively held on for an important point. It was the first time in 65 games stretching back to the goalless draw at Villarreal 18 months ago that Barcelona have been shut out in La Liga. Barca actually had 76% possession through the game!
Neymar, Pedro and Fabregas were the players given the task of free-reign attack, and all 3 players were wearing different boots. Pedro and Neymar both have their own Nike boots in the form of the Vapor IX and Hypervenom Phantom respectively, while Fabregas sports the Puma PowerCat 1.12 - a boot pretty much dedicated to the Spanish midfielder. Lionel Messi even made a brief entrance, having just returned from injury. But even’t he couldn’t create a spark in his signature Adidas F50 adiZero.
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No. 5 – The Ibra/Cavani Train Continues to Roll
Again this weekend, Zlatan Ibrahimovish and Edison Cavani put on a show, reinforcing their argument of being the best attacking partnership in world soccer. Both players scooped a double, with some phenomenal goals included, and helped PSG move to the top of Ligue 1.
Ibra was again in his Nike Vapor IX. We continue to watch his boot choice considering the fact he played a huge marketing part in the Nike Hypervenom Phantom release. Since then, he switched back to the lightweight speed boot and he continues to shine in a boot he obviously understands better. Cavani, as per usual, was sporting his adidas F50 adiZero, which prove to be ever so trusty performance wise.
