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FIFA Soccer 09 Kicks Ass

We just got back from an EA showcase, and as always, the company has a strong holiday line-up, including a much-improved NBA Live 09, a new cartoon-y boxing title called Facebreaker (think Street Fighter II meets Ring King), the ultra-awesome, ultra-violent sci-fi banger Dead Space, the infamous Spore, and a really cool game that we signed away the rights to talk about until next month.

But the game that really caught our eye was FIFA Soccer 09 (in stores October 14). Somewhere in the last few years, EA’s FIFA franchise caught up with Konami’s Pro Evo series, and now it’s clear that FIFA has passed it for good. Building on the success of FIFA Soccer 08 and the summer’s UEFA EURO 2008 title, FIFA Soccer 09 has the makings of the best footy title ever. Check out our hands-on impressions of the game and more screenshots are after the jump.

adidas x Complex Fanatic Soccer Jerseys

Although we’re not with the whole “it-doesn’t-matter-how-you-play, as-long-as-you-look-good” motto, we figured it’s only fair our fans get a sneak peek of these limited (5 of 5) soccer jerseys team Complex will be rocking during tomorrow’s Fanatic VII Soccer Tournament.

We swag-jacked Spain’s uniforms and personalized them just in time for tomorrow’s day-long battle, where we’ll look to defend our title not embarrass ourselves. Kickoff for the first game is at 12 noon and our first match is against the sports-obsessed street-fashion brand No Mas. See the front of the jersey and the tourney flyer after the jump.

Trendhumper: Soccer Jerseys

“Who killin’ ‘em in the U.K.?”

The sports jersey game never really recovered from Jay-Z’s anti-throwback mandate in 2003, but there remains an unexploited frontier—the world of soccer uniforms (or “football kits,” to be more precise).

Pusha T rocks an all-black long-sleeve Manchester United kit in Clipse’s “Fast Life” video, making it one of the first times we’ve ever seen an American rapper wear a soccer uniform as a fashion statement. Hey, our dollar is useless and our economy’s fucked, might as well jump on the Euro bandwagon. Are you a fan of the soccer jersey swag? Vote on the trend below.

Improve Your Soccer Stroke With The Kicker

After last year’s piss-poor performance at adidas’ Fanatic soccer tournament, Team Complex has been searching for ways to improve our game. It looks like this Kicker Machine might do the trick.

The arcade-style practice game measures how hard you kick, and also helps you master the proper way to strike a soccer ball. There’s also a multi-player mode where you and your crew can take bets on who has the most powerful leg. At a cost of $7890, it’s a little out of our league. Time to send the collection plate around the office. Watch a video of the Kicker after the jump.

Steve Nash’s Chinatown Soccer Showdown

As far as pickup games go, tomorrow night’s match-up should go down in history. Steve Nash has organized a charity soccer match called “The Showdown in Chinatown” that will feature all-star participants like the NBA’s Jason Kidd, Baron Davis, David Lee, Leandro Barbosa and Raja Bell, along with professional foot-ballers Thierry Henry, Claudio Reyna, Steve McManaman, and Robbie Fowler.

We’ll have to put off watching that TiVo’d episode of Pros vs. Joes for another night, because there’s no way we can pass up an opportunity to see Henry dangle the dignity out of David Lee. The event takes place tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. in Roosevelt Park on Chrystie St. between Rivington and Stanton. Watch the videos after the jump to get a preview of Nash’s soccer skills.

adidas x Chinatown Soccer Club Top Sala

This summer adidas will team up with the Chinatown Soccer Club, a collective that formed during the first installment of the three-stripes’ “Fanatic Tournament” for a limited edition lifestyle soccer boot called the Top Sala.

The CSC started out as just another powerhouse team in adi’s annual tournament, but today has grown into a year-round soccer league located in NYC’s Chinatown, where futballers engage in friendly matches. The low-run (350 were made in total) sneaker, will be reserved for retail spots like Dave’s Quality Meat (NYC), Arkitip (LA) and Stil Laden (Vienna, Austra) and will release early June.

5 David Beckham Goals Worth Celebrating

Looks like soccer icon David Beckham’s best years might not be completely behind him. After retiring from Real Madrid, it didn’t seem like competing with the B and C level talent in the MLS would be much of a challenge for Becks. Even with the L.A. Galaxy throwing $250 million big ones his way to spark America’s interest in futbol, he’s kept a pretty low profile (aside from going to Lakers games).

But we (like Kansas City) were stumped this weekend when Beckham capped off the 3-1 beating with a 70-yard half field goal straight from ’96. The KC Wizards should have known better than to leave their goal more exposed than a socialite’s cooch with the veteran footballer around. The impressive play had us reminicing on some of Becks’ other great goals from his 16 year career. Watch 5 of the best (including his most recent feat) after the jump.

Guy Ritchie’s Next Level Nike Soccer Ad

We’ve long been fans of Nike futbol—er, soccer—commercials, which only seem to get better through the years.

Well, the swoosh has outdone themselves this time. Nike premiered its new ad during yesterday’s Manchester United v. Barcelona match, and it turns out it was directed by Madonna’s boo Guy Ritchie (with music from the Eagles of Death Metal) and features cameos from a host of futbol heroes, including Arsene “The Professor” Wenger, Cristiano “Man Bag” Ronaldo, “Let’s Talk About” Cesc Fabregas, Marco “The Headbuttee” Materazzi, Ronaldinho, and Ruud “Horseface” van Nistelrooy. Titled “Take It To The Next Level,” the advert puts the viewer in the boots—er, shoes—of an up-and-coming professional player—sort of like Fifa 08’s “Be a Pro” mode, only it’s actually good. Not ashamed to say that we’ve already watched this commercial five times today. See the full advertisement after the jump.

Cuban Soccer Stars Join Team America

On Tuesday night, five members of Cuba’s national soccer team quietly slipped out of the Doubletree Hotel in Tampa, Florida. Only hours after tying it up in an Olympic qualifying match against the U.S., team captain Yenier Bermudez, goalie Jose Manuel Miranda and 3 others vanished into the night.

The players have now confirmed that they are seeking political asylum from their Commie homeland—America’s “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy states that any Cuban is allowed to stay in the U.S. as long as they reach American soil. After a year, they can apply for citizenship.

Killa Futbol Season

After Cam’ron’s Killa Season dropped, stock in Kimberly-Clark branded wet wipes climbed. Next, the World Cup became the official sport for hipsters. There’s no cool-guy T-shirt collective behind this one, just pay respect to the 1980 Washington Diplomats or rap’s Ramones – Killa, Jones, Freaky, Santana.