Nabisco Strikes Again

Another edition of Nabisco MLS soccer cards have hit the market again. Four different cards have been placed on boxes of Cheese Nips snacks. Players featured are Freddy Adu, Josmer Altidore, Landon Donovan (left picture) and Christian Gomez. This is actually the third Nabisco set in as many years. The 2005 Ritz Bits version yielded; Adu, Donovan, Palencia and Taylor Twellman. The most famous and notorious set is the 2004 MLS Snacks set that featured 22 different cards and proved to outsell Upper Deck cards that year. That edition even received media attention. Here is a 2004 checklist:

1. Carlos Ruiz Los Angeles Galaxy (purple background)
2. Carlos Ruiz (green)
3. Carlos Ruiz (yellow)
4. Chris Armas Chicago Fire
5. Chris Klein Kansas City Wizards
6. Corey Gibbs Dallas Burn
7. Damani Ralph, Chicago Fire (blue)
8. Damani Ralph (red)
9. Damani Ralph (purple)
10. Eddie Gaven New York/New Jersey MetroStars (green)
11. Eddie Gaven (red)
12. Eddie Gaven (blue)
13. Edson Buddle Columbus Crew
14. Freddy Adu D.C. United (red)
15. Freddy Adu (blue)
16. Freddy Adu (purple)
17. Jamie Moreno D.C. United
18. Jonny Walker New York/New Jersey MetroStars
19. Kevin Hartman, Los Angeles Galaxy
20. Landon Donovan San Jose Earthquakes
21. Taylor Twellman New England Revolution
22. Pablo Mastroeni Colorado Rapids.

Beyond MLS Cards: Yanks Abroad

Soccer cards with a twist or should I say "kick." For serious collectors and beginners alike, much satisfaction can be found in modern English Premier issues. One of the world's top leagues, these sets contain the best players on the planet. Upon sorting through 2006-07 Shoot Out cards, there are several "Yanks." Just wait until the 2007-08 hit the shelves, Fulham currently has four Americans on its roster. As the main emphasis of this site is Major League Soccer, it would also like to promote Americans playing for foreign clubs. Cards of your favorite American players are not new, many pre-MLS rookies can be found in early 1990's Bundesliga sets (Reyna, Mcbride, etc).

"Cheap Cards and the MLS Connection"

Buying inexpensive cards can be fun, several issues of mass produced sets in the 1990's have some current and former MLS players and coaches. Many cards of that era were either of the indoor or European variety. Upon assembling sets or busting packs, you will get many of Europe's top players.

First, lets look at the MLS connection. A set of 1990/91 Pro Set yields; current New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol (105), former NASL and MLS player Roy Wegerle (188), Ian Bishop (300) who spent time in the MLS and USL. Other hidden gems in this set are the rookies of Roy Keane (175) and Alan Shearer (213). Both of whom would later become two of the EPL's all-time greats.

Now we'll examine the 1991/92 Pro Set collection. This set was distributed in two series, Part 1 (1-230) is an easy issue to obtain, while Part II (231-479) is very scarce. The second series is identical and contains "transfer" cards, or as we call them "traded" or "updates." Another interesting characteristic of Part II is the English National team subset, this subset includes a team photo and nine puzzle pieces. Now, we'll size up the MLS connection. Once again we Nicol (45). Wegerle is shown again his Queen's Park Ranger's kit (96) and Bishop reappears (123).

A familiar face pops up in Part II, we have John Harkes of New Jersey (334) pictured in a Sheffield Wednesday kit. Treats are abundant throughout both series, the last four cards of each series features some of soccer's all-time greats; Kevin Keegan (227), Malcom McDonald (228), Bobby Charlton (229), George Best (230), Bobby Moore (476), Jimmy Greaves (477), Denis Law (478) and Gordon Banks (479). The Ryan Giggs rookie (294) is a great card and oudates his more common 1994 Upper Deck card by three years.

The 1992 Score soccer cards running rampant all over the US are actually terrific cards. For one they have a very nice card of Roberto Baggio. This issue is common, but assembling a set may take several boxes. Several players in this set played for their national squad in the 1994 World Cup. Three players in this set played in the MLS; Roberto Donadoni, Lothar Matthäus and Walter Zenga.

Be sure to catch next weeks blog, "Yanks Abroad."

David Beckham Rookie Cards

The new face of Major League Soccer has arrived. Will David Beckham's stay with the LA Galaxy increase interest in soccer cards? We can only hope so. For those of you looking to get your hands on a Beckham rookie, you have a few choices. His debut rookie is the 1995/96 Merlin card. This is his first mass produced card by a major company. The card pictured on the right is his 1997 Upper Deck Rookie. It is from the England '98 collection and pictures him in his national kit. The 1997 issue actually includes a second Beckham card and a "Three Lions" insert that is numbered to 5,000. Another great addition to that set is the Michael Owen rookie. If your shopping for a Beckham rookie, beware of newer cards that maybe unlicensed. Be sure to read next week's blog, "Cheap Cards."