Free Kick Masters
Encyclopedia
The Free Kick Masters is a skills-based international football (soccer) competition featuring some of the world’s top rated free kick
takers competing against some of the world’s top rated goalkeepers in a direct free kick
shootout to declare the world’s “Free Kick Master” and “Golden Goalkeeper”.http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/aboutUs.asp The competition has no affiliation with or ties to FIFA
but is unique in the world of football as it is one of the only events that features star players involved in a direct competition against one and another.
, Spain
over a two-day period in December 2004. Developed by a team of individuals involved in international football, the event challenged the skills of participants by testing their accuracy and ability to make successful free kicks from distances of 18 meters, 21 meters, and 25 meters. Participants were allowed to choose their approach: from the left, right, or center, and were awarded points based on the number of attempts required to score a goal. Points were awarded for successful goals with a maximum of three attempts from each distance. The current champion is Rafael Márquez
of FC Barcelona
. t:http://www.freekickmasters.com/rules.php
From 18 meters, 5 points were awarded for a score on the first attempt, 3 for a score on the second, and 2 on the third try.
From 21 meters, 7 points were awarded for a score on the first attempt, 4 for a score on the second, and 3 on the third try.
From 25 meters, 10 points were awarded for a score on the first attempt, 7 for a score on the second, and 5 if a player managed to score by the third try.
Goalpost hits were also awarded one point each.
At the end of the competition, SC Heerenveen player Ugur Yıldırım
emerged as a surprise standout with near perfection, having amassed 25 points en route to claiming the title. Shanghai specialist Shen Si
was near perfection himself, amassing an impressive 20 points. Benjamín
rounded out the top three competitors with 12 points.
(Heerenveen) - 25 points
2nd: Shen Si
(Shanghai Zhongyuan) - 20 points
3rd: Benjamín
(Real Betis
) - 12 points
4th: Nastja Čeh
(Club Brugge) - 10 points
5th: Zinedine Zidane
(Real Madrid
) - 8 points
6th: Hamilton Ricard
(APOEL) - 8 points
7th: Orlando Engelaar
(Racing Genk
) - 6 points
8th: Constantin Galca (Almería
) - 1 point
A list of participants from the 2004 Event can be found at http://www.freekickmasters.com/players.php'
After the success of the event in 2004, the organizers did not conduct an event in either 2005 or 2006. According to the organizers, a 2006 event had been scheduled to take place in Los Angeles
, California
, but scheduling and entertainer conflicts led to its postponement.
, Spain
, the organizers of the Free Kick Masters announced that the competition would once again take place, and that Brazil
ian superstar Ronaldinho
would be one of the primary participants.http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/eBlog/default.asp?Display=8http://www.fcbarcelona.es/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada06-07/04/n070426100164.html
In an interview at the conference, Ronaldinho downplayed his highly touted status as a player and free kick specialist stating: "There are some very good free kick takers, all those taking part will be good at it. I like David Beckham
, Thierry Henry
, Roberto Carlos, Rafael Márquez
, Bernd Schneider, Deco
... All of those players can shoot really well.” http://www.fcbarcelona.es/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada06-07/04/n070426100164.htmlhttp://www.freekickmastersusa.com/Home.asp
Free Kick Master 2007 was scheduled to take place on 22 December 2007 at Reliant Stadium
in Houston, Texas
, United States
.http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/Home.asp The full list of competitors in the Event has yet to be announced, http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/meetThePlayers.asp but there is speculation that Rafael Márquez and Roberto Carlos, among others, will challenge Ronaldinho for the title. http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/20070427/NOTICIA280420369.html
(LFP) of Spain and the Lega Nazionale Professionisti
of Italy
, the producers of the Free Kick Masters event originally scheduled for 22 December 2007 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium was moved moved to Saturday 5 July 2008 at the same stadium.
The LFP scheduled the last matches of 2007 on 22 and 23 December, later in the month than has been their custom. A similar move by the Lega Nazionale Professionisti provided conflicts for many of the world’s top footballers who had previously agreed to participate in the Free Kick Masters 2007 event. As a result, 5 July 2008 was selected as the new date. The move was supposed to allow the players involved to fulfill their professional duties with their respective clubs in order to participate.
With a format similar to the National Basketball Association
’s Slam Dunk Challenge and Major League Baseball
’s Home Run Derby
, the Free Kick Masters is a skills-based international football competition. This free kick shootout is designed to declare the world’s “Free Kick Master” and “Golden Goalkeeper”. The last Free Kick Masters was a sold out event held in Marbella, Spain broadcast to over 30 countries with an estimated 110 million viewers.
The player crowned “Free Kick Master” will receive $1 million in prize money, and the “Golden Goalkeeper” title winner will receive $500,000.
The free kickers who appeared in 2008 included Ronaldinho
(Milan
), Rafael Márquez
, Lionel Messi
(both of Barcelona
), and Martín Palermo
(Boca Juniors
). Last minute withdrawals by headliners such as Alessandro Del Piero
, Juninho
, Fernando Torres
, Deco
, and Lukas Podolski
significantly reduced the celebrity of the lineup. The list of goalkeepers included Francesco Toldo (Internazionale
), Kasey Keller
(Fulham
), David James
(Portsmouth
), Vojislav Dragović
(free agent
), and Jorge Campos (retired from professional football at the time).
Other kickers included:
In the end, Rafael Márquez
and David James
were named the winners.
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
takers competing against some of the world’s top rated goalkeepers in a direct free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
shootout to declare the world’s “Free Kick Master” and “Golden Goalkeeper”.http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/aboutUs.asp The competition has no affiliation with or ties to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
but is unique in the world of football as it is one of the only events that features star players involved in a direct competition against one and another.
History of the event
The first Free Kick Masters was first held in MarbellaMarbella
Marbella is a town in Andalusia, Spain. It is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, in the province of Málaga, beneath the La Concha mountain. In 2000 the city had 98,823 inhabitants, in 2004, 116,234, in 2010 approximately 135,000....
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
over a two-day period in December 2004. Developed by a team of individuals involved in international football, the event challenged the skills of participants by testing their accuracy and ability to make successful free kicks from distances of 18 meters, 21 meters, and 25 meters. Participants were allowed to choose their approach: from the left, right, or center, and were awarded points based on the number of attempts required to score a goal. Points were awarded for successful goals with a maximum of three attempts from each distance. The current champion is Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....
of FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
. t:http://www.freekickmasters.com/rules.php
From 18 meters, 5 points were awarded for a score on the first attempt, 3 for a score on the second, and 2 on the third try.
From 21 meters, 7 points were awarded for a score on the first attempt, 4 for a score on the second, and 3 on the third try.
From 25 meters, 10 points were awarded for a score on the first attempt, 7 for a score on the second, and 5 if a player managed to score by the third try.
Goalpost hits were also awarded one point each.
At the end of the competition, SC Heerenveen player Ugur Yıldırım
Ugur Yildirim
Uğur Yıldırım is a Turkish-Dutch footballer currently free agent.-Club career:A freekick specialist, Yıldırım previously played for Go Ahead Eagles, famous for its youth academy. In the 2003-04 season he scored 6 goals in the First Division match against SC Cambuur...
emerged as a surprise standout with near perfection, having amassed 25 points en route to claiming the title. Shanghai specialist Shen Si
Shen Si
Shen Si is a retired Chinese football player. He played as the left midfielder and was famous for his good technical skill. He managed Pudong Zobon F.C. before being revealed to have been involved in fixing a game in 2003 Chinese Jia-A League.Shen Si had a reputation for his free kick skills...
was near perfection himself, amassing an impressive 20 points. Benjamín
Benjamín Zarandona
Benjamín Zarandona Esono , simply Benjamín, is an Equatoguinean footballer who plays for CD Íscar in Tercera División, as a midfielder....
rounded out the top three competitors with 12 points.
2004 Event Results http://www.dutchfootball.net/online/index_fullnews.php?id=1104&category=1
1st: Ugur YıldırımUgur Yildirim
Uğur Yıldırım is a Turkish-Dutch footballer currently free agent.-Club career:A freekick specialist, Yıldırım previously played for Go Ahead Eagles, famous for its youth academy. In the 2003-04 season he scored 6 goals in the First Division match against SC Cambuur...
(Heerenveen) - 25 points
2nd: Shen Si
Shen Si
Shen Si is a retired Chinese football player. He played as the left midfielder and was famous for his good technical skill. He managed Pudong Zobon F.C. before being revealed to have been involved in fixing a game in 2003 Chinese Jia-A League.Shen Si had a reputation for his free kick skills...
(Shanghai Zhongyuan) - 20 points
3rd: Benjamín
Benjamín Zarandona
Benjamín Zarandona Esono , simply Benjamín, is an Equatoguinean footballer who plays for CD Íscar in Tercera División, as a midfielder....
(Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
) - 12 points
4th: Nastja Čeh
Nastja Ceh
Nastja Čeh is a Slovenian footballer playing for Maccabi Petah Tikva.-Club career:Čeh started his career with his hometown club Drava Ptuj. By the age of 17 he was playing in the first team in the 2. SNL...
(Club Brugge) - 10 points
5th: Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
(Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
) - 8 points
6th: Hamilton Ricard
Hamilton Ricard
Hámilton Ricard Cuesta is a Colombian footballer who plays for Colombian team Deportes Quindío as a striker, and has played for Deportivo Cali, Middlesbrough, CSKA Sofia, Independiente, Emelec, Shonan Bellmare, APOEL, Numancia, Danubio and Concepción over the course of his career.-Career:Ricard...
(APOEL) - 8 points
7th: Orlando Engelaar
Orlando Engelaar
Orlando Engelaar is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as a centre midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie club PSV...
(Racing Genk
K.R.C. Genk
Koninklijke Racing Club Genk , usually referred to as Racing Genk or simply Genk, is a Belgian professional football club based in the city of Genk in Belgian Limburg. Racing Genk plays in the Belgian Pro League and they have won 3 Belgian champion titles in 1998–99, in 2001–02 and in 2010–11 as...
) - 6 points
8th: Constantin Galca (Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
) - 1 point
A list of participants from the 2004 Event can be found at http://www.freekickmasters.com/players.php'
After the success of the event in 2004, the organizers did not conduct an event in either 2005 or 2006. According to the organizers, a 2006 event had been scheduled to take place in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, but scheduling and entertainer conflicts led to its postponement.
Free Kick Master 2007
On 26 April 2007, at a joint news conference in BarcelonaBarcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the organizers of the Free Kick Masters announced that the competition would once again take place, and that Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian superstar Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira , commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. He is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, awarded to the best player over the year...
would be one of the primary participants.http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/eBlog/default.asp?Display=8http://www.fcbarcelona.es/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada06-07/04/n070426100164.html
In an interview at the conference, Ronaldinho downplayed his highly touted status as a player and free kick specialist stating: "There are some very good free kick takers, all those taking part will be good at it. I like David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
, Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
, Roberto Carlos, Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....
, Bernd Schneider, Deco
Deco
Anderson Luís de Souza, OIH , commonly known as Deco, is a Brazilian-born Portuguese professional footballer who currently plays for Fluminense....
... All of those players can shoot really well.” http://www.fcbarcelona.es/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada06-07/04/n070426100164.htmlhttp://www.freekickmastersusa.com/Home.asp
Free Kick Master 2007 was scheduled to take place on 22 December 2007 at Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface....
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/Home.asp The full list of competitors in the Event has yet to be announced, http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/meetThePlayers.asp but there is speculation that Rafael Márquez and Roberto Carlos, among others, will challenge Ronaldinho for the title. http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/20070427/NOTICIA280420369.html
Free Kick Masters 2008
As a result of an unforeseen scheduling anomaly involving both the Liga de Fútbol ProfesionalLiga de Fútbol Profesional
The Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , more commonly known as the Liga de Fútbol Profesional is a national sports association responsible for administering the two professional football leagues in Spain - the Primera and Segunda División...
(LFP) of Spain and the Lega Nazionale Professionisti
Lega Nazionale Professionisti
The Lega Nazionale Professionisti , commonly known as Lega Calcio , was the governing body that ran the two highest football divisions in Italy, namely Serie A and Serie B, from 1946 to 2010...
of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, the producers of the Free Kick Masters event originally scheduled for 22 December 2007 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium was moved moved to Saturday 5 July 2008 at the same stadium.
The LFP scheduled the last matches of 2007 on 22 and 23 December, later in the month than has been their custom. A similar move by the Lega Nazionale Professionisti provided conflicts for many of the world’s top footballers who had previously agreed to participate in the Free Kick Masters 2007 event. As a result, 5 July 2008 was selected as the new date. The move was supposed to allow the players involved to fulfill their professional duties with their respective clubs in order to participate.
With a format similar to the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
’s Slam Dunk Challenge and Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
’s Home Run Derby
Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance...
, the Free Kick Masters is a skills-based international football competition. This free kick shootout is designed to declare the world’s “Free Kick Master” and “Golden Goalkeeper”. The last Free Kick Masters was a sold out event held in Marbella, Spain broadcast to over 30 countries with an estimated 110 million viewers.
The player crowned “Free Kick Master” will receive $1 million in prize money, and the “Golden Goalkeeper” title winner will receive $500,000.
The free kickers who appeared in 2008 included Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira , commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. He is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, awarded to the best player over the year...
(Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
), Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....
, Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
(both of Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
), and Martín Palermo
Martín Palermo
Martín Palermo is a retired Argentine footballer who formerly played for Boca Juniors of Argentina, and the Argentina national team...
(Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
). Last minute withdrawals by headliners such as Alessandro Del Piero
Alessandro Del Piero
Alessandro Del Piero Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus, of which he is also club captain....
, Juninho
Juninho Pernambucano
Antônio Augusto Ribeiro Reis Jr. , commonly known as Juninho or Juninho Pernambucano, is a Brazilian footballer and dead-ball specialist, currently playing as a midfielder for Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A club CR Vasco da Gama. He is considered to be one of the greatest free kick takers of all time...
, Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres
Fernando José Torres Sanz , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Spain national team as a striker....
, Deco
Deco
Anderson Luís de Souza, OIH , commonly known as Deco, is a Brazilian-born Portuguese professional footballer who currently plays for Fluminense....
, and Lukas Podolski
Lukas Podolski
Lukas Josef Podolski ; born Łukasz Podolski ) on 4 June 1985 in Gliwice, Poland) is a German footballer who plays as a striker/winger for 1. FC Köln and for the German national team. He joined 1. FC Köln in 1995 where he broke into the first team in 2003 and made 81 appearances for the club before...
significantly reduced the celebrity of the lineup. The list of goalkeepers included Francesco Toldo (Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
), Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller is a retired American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer....
(Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
), David James
David James (footballer)
David Benjamin James is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bristol City.On 14 February 2009, he achieved the all-time Premier League appearance record with 536 appearances, overtaking Gary Speed. He held this record until being overtaken by Ryan Giggs on the 14th May 2011...
(Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
), Vojislav Dragović
Vojislav Dragović
Vojislav "Vojaaa" Dragović is a Serbian football goalkeeper who currently is without a club, thus not deployed in any capacity.-Career:...
(free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
), and Jorge Campos (retired from professional football at the time).
Other kickers included:
- Jared BorgettiJared BorgettiJared Francisco Borgetti Echavarría is a retired Mexican footballer. Borgetti is the all-time leading goal scorer for the Mexican national team, with 46 goals. A prolific goal scorer at both club and national level, Borgetti was renowned for his heading ability...
- Robert PiresRobert PirèsRobert Emmanuel Pirès is a former French international footballer. He is perhaps best known for his time with Arsenal, with whom he won three FA Cups and two FA Premier League titles including the club's famous unbeaten season of 2003–04...
(VillarrealVillarreal CFVillarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
) - Dwayne de RosarioDwayne De RosarioDwayne Anthony De Rosario is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Canadian national team.-Early career:...
(Houston DynamoHouston DynamoThe Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
) - Subait KhaterSubait KhaterSubait Khater Fayel Khamis Al-Mekhaini is a United Arab Emirati footballer who is a midfielder for Al Jazira. He was a member of the United Arab Emirates national football team.-Club:...
- Javier PortilloJavier PortilloJavier García Portillo is a Spanish footballer who plays for UD Las Palmas as a forward.-Club career:...
- Eddie Lewis (Derby CountyDerby County F.C.Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
) - Brad DavisBrad Davis (soccer)Brad Davis is an American footballer who currently plays for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
(Houston DynamoHouston DynamoThe Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
) - Segundo CastilloSegundo CastilloSegundo Alejandro Castillo Nazareno is an Ecuadorian international footballer who plays for CF Pachuca, on the Primera División Mexicana...
(Red Star BelgradeRed Star BelgradeRed Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
/EvertonEverton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
) - Jozy AltidoreJozy AltidoreJosmer Volmy "Jozy" Altidore is an American soccer player currently playing for Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar, and for the United States national team....
(VillarrealVillarreal CFVillarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
) - Shen SiShen SiShen Si is a retired Chinese football player. He played as the left midfielder and was famous for his good technical skill. He managed Pudong Zobon F.C. before being revealed to have been involved in fixing a game in 2003 Chinese Jia-A League.Shen Si had a reputation for his free kick skills...
- Sulley MuntariSulley MuntariSulleyman Ali "Sulley" Muntari is a Ghanaian international footballer who currently plays as a central midfielder for Serie A club Inter Milan in Italy. He has 66 caps for The Black Stars of Ghana.-Early career:...
(InternazionaleF.C. Internazionale MilanoFootball Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
) - Julio BaptistaJúlio BaptistaJúlio César Baptista is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Málaga CF of the Spanish La Liga...
(RomaA.S. RomaAssociazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
) - RomárioRomárioRomário de Souza Faria , better known simply as Romário , is a former footballer who played striker,manager and current politician where is currently running for a mayor like position in his hometown...
In the end, Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....
and David James
David James (footballer)
David Benjamin James is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bristol City.On 14 February 2009, he achieved the all-time Premier League appearance record with 536 appearances, overtaking Gary Speed. He held this record until being overtaken by Ryan Giggs on the 14th May 2011...
were named the winners.