Products Archives | Charity Ball

Top 10 Soccer Cleats of 2018

2018 has been a great year for soccer. The World Cup, Liverpool being at the top of the Premier League, and some of the coolest soccer cleat releases ever. Below are our top 10 picks of 2018.

#10 Adidas Glitch 2.0 Russian “World Cup Pack”
This cleat is pure art. Adidas did a great job modeling the boot for the Russia World Cup. The red and blue match the colors of the host flag and the geometric patterns are a traditional Russian art technique.

#9 New Balance Furon 4.0 “Otruska”
The fourth generation of the New Balance Furon is a simple, yet stunning cleat. The red glossy sole plate works really well with the white upper. Thumbs up!

#8 Nike Hypervenom Phantom Harry Kane “Keep It Kane”
To celebrate Harry Kane’s 100th Premier League goal, Nike designed these sweet Hotspur boots. Production was limited to 100 pairs. Definitely a thing of beauty.

#7 Nike Superfly GS 360 Remake
Made out of 100% recycled material, the GS 360s are the most innovative cleats for 2018. Designed to look like the original Superfly Green Speeds, (released in 2012) only 1500 pairs were produced.

#6 Adidas Predator Telstar
Modeled after the 2018 World Cup Knockout Stage match ball, the Adidas Predator Telstar looks amazing. The red, black, white and gold color way is nice and clean just like ball itself.

#5 Nike x Kim Jones Mercurial Superfly VI
These limited edition boots were inspired by the cheetah. The fastest land animal on the planet and a boot specifically designed for speed go hand and hand. Kim Jones and Nike nailed it.

#4 Nike Phantom Vision Jordan x PSG
Black & red—it doesn’t get any better. These cleats came out of a collaboration between Jordan and PSG. Love to see more boots like these in the future.

#3 Adidas Glitch 18 “Nocturnal Skin”
One of the most unique cleats of the year. The safari style pattern and the purple, pink and blue color way allows a player to stand out on the pitch. These boots were exclusively released in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

#2 Nike x EA Sports Phantom Vision
This is the 3rd iteration of the Nike EA Sports collaboration and it’s probably one of the best. The red, blue and gold work perfectly together. Nike even incorporated the buttons from the Playstation and Xbox controller patterns on the shoe. As fate would have it, the cleat was sold in limited supply.

#1 Nike Mercurial Vapor Luka Modric
These cleats are insane. The color way is beautiful and the glassy design pattern is mesmerizing. It is unfortunate that Nike made only one pair just for just Luka Modric. One can only dream!

By: Jaden King, Charity Ball

CharityBall In Game Changers, Products, Soccer Culture

Southampton FC: Signed Jersey for Charity

Today we are launching a very unique fundraiser for us here at Charity Ball. This is the first time we have been given an official jersey from a historic English club, Southampton FC, which has been signed by the ENTIRE first team. You can now enter to win this awesome and distinct prize. However, I thought the back story behind the jersey would be worth noting, especially for die hard soccer fans.

The main man behind this jersey donation is Hugo Scheckter (@hugoscheckter on twitter). Hugo was born in the great state of Georgia (USA) and now lives in London. Soccer has been an integral part of Hugo’s life and career, which started with coaching in high school. He then studied Sports Business at George Washington University and continued to coach club and high school soccer. After graduating from GWU he was hired by Indy Eleven, an NASL team at the time. He then progressed to work as a Player Liaison Officer for Southampton FC for 3.5 years. This past March, he signed on with West Ham to work as their Head of Player Care.

As the Head of Player Care, Hugo’s primary objective is to make sure the players have everything they need off the field so they can be their best on the field. On match days he arrives 5 hours before kick off to arrange reserve tickets for players’ friends and families, set up sponsor visits and organize pre match meals. Once warm up begins Hugo’s work is more relaxed and he gets to take in the game from the bench. He really enjoys the relationships he gets to build with both players and their families.

To wrap things up, I asked Hugo if he has a favorite team that he didn’t work for, and his answer was surprising: “To be honest, soccer is my life and my career – so my time as a fan is over! My entire energy goes into making sure the players I work with are the best they can be, so I don’t really have time for following other teams. But from time to time I like to check in on clubs that I used to support when I was younger, like DC United and Indy Eleven.”

Hugo found us on Twitter and wanted to get involved with us right away. He loved how Charity Ball is different from many other charities in that we use soccer as a medium to improve children’s lives across the globe. You can expect to see more collaborations between Charity Ball and Hugo in the future!

Now that you know the story behind the jersey be sure to check out our online raffle drawing below for the signed Southampton Jersey.

Be sure to follow and tweet us about this story! @teamcharityball, @hugosheckter, @ethan_king5 (our founder)

WIN THIS SIGNED SOUTHAMPTON JERSEY!

For every $25 you donate (using the link below) your name will be entered into a drawing and a new, quality soccer ball will be given to a child. Enter as many times as you like.

Winner will be announced at half time during the FA Cup Semi-Final, Southampton vs Chelsea (April 22, 2018).

By: Sam Barthel, Team Charity Ball

CharityBall In Products

Nike Superfly Tech Craft 2.0 Review

Ethan King reviews the new Nike Superfly Tech Craft 2.0

Order them up at SoccerPro.com

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Our Take on the New Magista Obra 2

The King Boys review the new Nike Magista Obra 2.

Check em out here at SoccerPro.com

CharityBall In News, Products, Soccer Culture

The Charity Ball Supporter Scarf

We recently released our latest Charity Ball product, the super-cool CB Supporter Scarf.

Back in April, some of the guys at Team Charity Ball thought we should design a custom soccer scarf to give people another way to support the cause. We wanted the look to be simple, clean, and still feel like a scarf you would wear or rep at a professional soccer game. The Charity Ball colors, red, white and black, were a non-negotiable for the first round.

The limited edition scarves are made out of 100% acrylic and are high-definition jacquard knit.

At a $25 price point, it’s the perfect compliment to your Charity Ball event, fundraiser or more beautiful lifestyle.

Stop by our online shop and order yours today.

– Jaden King

CharityBall In Products

The Nike Magista 2

Two years ago during the 2014 World Cup, Nike introduced a new pair of cleats that would replace the CTR360 boots; The Magista. Today a new iteration of Magista has arrived.

Benefits

Nike spent the last two years researching and remodeling the Magista. They added a new material (3D Textured Touch) in areas of high use of the foot to enhance your touch on the ball which is represented by the new Heat Map color-way. Nike has also put four additional studs on the sole, called the Rotational Zone, which is ideal for quick turns during the game. The Flyknit upper has been changed as well to create areas of increased breathability. Nike has added the Flyknit upper to the Magista Orden, just like the Mercurial Veloce. Also, the cleat itself is 30% lighter allowing the player to move quicker with the ball.

At the start of the Euro 16, the Mercurial Superfly IV and a new skin for the Hypervenom was released. The Magista was not invited to the party because Nike wanted to make its debut during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Prices

Magista Obra: $300, Magista Opus: $230, Magista Orden: $170, Magista Onda: $75, Magista Proximo: $175 (indoor with Flyknit upper), Magista Finale: $100 (indoor)

Check em out here

– Jaden King

CharityBall In Products

Bounce Athletics: Dynamo Goal

As many of you already know, I play club soccer for Midwest United out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Midwest is a great club with some amazing coaches. I’m honored to be a part of such a program.

Often times during our training sessions we’ll use a set of cones to form a small goal for small-sided games or 2v2’s. However, this past week, a new type of goal was introduced. This wasn’t just your standard 3×3 off-brand, PVC, goal. It was strong and sturdy like a full-sized goal, but it was also able to fold flat and be easily carried. Intrigued by this product, I took a closer look and noticed two “Bounce Athletics” logos on the crossbar. For those who don’t know, Zach and the guys at Bounce are awesome and one of our partners at Charity Ball.

Sure enough, when I got home and visited their site, the Dynamo Goal was there. I have to say that this goal is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen as far as size, stability, and practicality goes.

Thumbs up to Bounce on a sweet invention! For more information and to get a better look, check out the Dynamo Goal here.

—E

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Nike Spark Brilliance or Adidas Mercury

With the Euro 2016 and the Copa America tournaments taken place, it is hard not to notice all the new cleats on the pitch.

Spark Brilliance Pack

About a month ago, Nike released their new Spark Brilliance Pack with an entirely new batch of color ways. The Hyper Venom and The Mercurial lines have been completely re-engineered. The Hyper Venom goes “back to the future” by using a rendition of the first skin that was introduced back in 2013. The Superfly and Vapor has also been entirly remodeled with a new skin and sole plate that is 40% lighter and a new traction system that is designed for insane speed. In my opinion, Nike did a great job with their new pack. Check em out here.

Adidas Mercury Pack

Adidas has also been busy. Recently they introduced The Mercury Pack which contains two new boots for 2016. The X16+ PURECHAOS and the MESSI 16+ PUREAGILITY. This set has a brand new TECHFIT lacing system that allows the player to tuck their laces inside a flap on the cleat. Adidas’ new PURECUT SOCK SYSTEM keeps the laces out of sight to give the player an upgraded aerodynamic effect. Both cleats have new skins and sole plates that result in lighter weight and better traction. The pack’s color ways are super sweet and shine bright on the pitch just like mercury. Check em out here.

CharityBall In Products, Uncategorized

Nike Brazil Ordem Limited Edition Soccer Ball: Review

“Did you see that bend!!??” was the first thing I said after striking the New Limited Edition Nike Ordem LE Brazil Match Ball. It was an awesome feeling and a crazy experience. This has got to be one of the sickest balls I have ever kicked. Not only does it look legit, it also performs off the chart.

Here’s the quick & dirty:

Look: The design and graphics on the ball are meant to be a symbol of celebration for Brazil hosting the 2014 Fifa World Cup. It celebrates the timeless sport of soccer with a graphic inspired by Brazil and Brazilian culture. It stands for the relentless pursuit of innovation to spark a revolution that will transcend the pitch, celebrate the soccer culture, and leave a legacy to the game we all love.

Touch: Unlike other soccer balls I own, this Nike match ball has a firmer bladder and softer skin. The core bladder is strong and substantial, making it more responsive and the unique skin creates a super-intimate touch. It’s insane!

Flight: Overall, the ball flies pretty true in the air. In other words, it goes where you want it to go.

Durability: If you take good care of this ball and keep it on the pitch, you shouldn’t have any problems with longevity. Remember, its a limited edition so if you use it for street or futsol and it get’s murdered, you won’t be able to exchange it for another one.

Fact: The Ordem LE is no longer available for purchase at Nike.com. If you’re lucky, you might be able to snag one off ebay for just under $600. Yep, that right six zero zero. That how much these bad-boys are going for.

I was fortunate enough to receive one of the first production models as a gift.

Keep passing the ball,

CharityBall In Game Changers, Products, Soccer Culture

Winning Kick

About 6 months ago I was contacted by two brilliant people named Scott Balaban and Elizabeth Sarquis. Elizabeth is the founder and CEO Global Gaming Initiative and Scott is the Development Director. GGI helps those in need around the world through entertaining and inspiring mobile games. They had the great idea of creating a game for the iPhone and Android platforms that would promote and help sponsor Charity Ball. For the last half a year, we’ve been working with them to bring this idea to life.

The game is called “Winning Kick” and the objective is to score as many goals as possible in 30 seconds. It applies some of the simple fun of Flappy Bird and also has a classic 80’s arcade game feel. It is very addicting, and in some moments you to want to throw your phone across the room, which is part of the thrill and experience, right? Not only are you having fun playing the game, you’re also helping get brand new, quality soccer balls to kids in poverty-stricken communities around the word. It’s a win-win and the perfect way to give back — 50% of the proceeds to go Charity Ball!

Go to the app store now and get in the game:
for Android or for iPhone