2012 Topps USA Olympic Team

Originally posted on 17 May 2012.

A little over two weeks ago Topps launched it's 2012 London Olympics trading card collection which focuses on US hopefuls, among them a few soccer players. The women's autograph lineup consists of Alex Morgan, Hope Solo and Abby Wambach. Juan Agudelo is the sole men's inclusion in the entire checklist which is actually surprising considering the US national team failed to qualify for the tournament.

The women's autos are selling very well as expected with Alex Morgan's autos being white hot but I personally would've liked to have seen Topps go beyond the US athletes and obtain the signatures of some of the top footballers expected to be part of the games, the likes of Neymar, Thiago Silva, Luis Suárez, Cavani, "Chicharito" Hernández, Bale, Mata, etc. It also bears mentioning that Panini has also released an Olympic product, which focuses on the British contingent. Unfortunately though, it's the typical Panini "Adrenalyn" garbage, not even worth a further mention.

Another Great Mailday Batch - With 1 Exception

Originally posted on 27 March 2012.

I got these purchases from eBay in the mail recently and was absolutely stoked with the first two, both of them will be going straight into my PC. First up this Thierry Henry 2011 Upper Deck SP Game-Used jersey card. IMO the card has a solid design and I got it for a bargain price so I'm definitely thrilled about that.

Next up I got a Rafa Márquez certified auto from the 2012 UD World of Sports product. I'm especially happy about picking this one up since it's my first certified Márquez auto.

Lastly I picked up this 2009 UD MLS Cuauhtémoc Blanco jersey. Sadly the card was mailed in a plain non padded envelope without a toploader and arrived damaged, significantly creased. It also had quite a bit of chipping on the side edges. It was "reinforced" with a piece of cardboard but obviously that wasn't enough protection, check out the 3 creases around the jersey window cutout to see what I mean. Not happy at all with this shit so I will no doubt be looking to be reimbursed by the seller for this dud.

2013 Futera Unique Brings With It More Questionable Autos

Different product, different year, but still the same shit with this fucking company. Check out the Chicharito signature below, now I'm familiar with his auto and this one just doesn't look right. As usual Futera does NOT guarantee the authenticity of any of their signatures, let alone this one. That says a lot in and of itself...

Since I have zero interest in purchasing Futera autographs, I haven't bothered to look at many other autos from this year's Futera release but once again there's no shortage of controversy over the authenticity of their product. Check out this thread over on FootballCardsForum.com to see what I mean.

I might pick up a base set for myself but that'll be it. I'll save my money and avoid their shitty autos like the plague.

2013 Topps MLS Preview

Earlier today I came across news of Topps releasing a 2013 MLS soccer product. This will be Topps' first ever incursion into the realm of MLS cards, although Topps does have a track record of English football cards with their 'Footballer' cards from the 70's and early 80's. These were some of the the first ever football trading cards as Panini only produced sticker albums at the time. News of this upcoming product came as a bit of a surprise to me since Upper Deck had been the sole manufacturer of MLS sets from the first UD MLS collection back in 1997 to last year's 2012 UD MLS.

After having a look at the product info, preliminary checklist and the images (all posted below) that have been released thus far, I'm thinking the autograph checklist looks extremely weak. No big names at all, namely Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan who each had autos in the 2012 UD product. No autos from Alessandro Nesta, Juninho Pernambucano, Tim Cahill, Marco Di Vaio or Robbie Keane either who are pretty much the most recognizable names in the league.

While we're speaking of recognizable names, with the possible exception of Maradona, Pelé has the most name recognition of anyone out there and Topps did secure his signature... but for 2 fucking baseball products, 'Five Star' and 'Allen and Ginter'. To add insult to injury 'O Rei' is featured in his NY Cosmos uniform rather than the more famous, representative and appealing Brazil or Santos kits. You would think the logical thing to do would be to incorporate Pelé into 2013 Topps MLS and ensure the product generates some buzz but I guess Topps didn't see it that way.

As for the other kind of cards in the collection, the jersey cards (or relics as Topps calls them) seem decent enough. The mini cards I don't care for at all. I'm not keen on any of the other inserts either, except for the vintage 1978 'footballer' inspired cards which are a nice touch.

"Topps has secured a licensed with Major League Soccer and will produce its first MLS cards this summer.

Each hobby box will have 24 packs with 10 cards in each pack. In addition, there will be two autographs and three relic cards in every box.

Autographs will include players from the MLS SuperDraft and top stars from the league on cards called MLS Maestros Autographs. Each autograph will feature four different parallels, including a Golazo parallel numbered 1-of-1.

Other autographs include Golden Boot Die-Cut Autographs with current and former goal scorers.

In addition, the set will include Extra Time Redemptions for transfers who make their debut during the 2013 season.

Some relic cards will also bear signatures with different levels of parallels.

The set is scheduled to come out in mid-July."

2013 Topps MLS Checklist
BASE
Veterans and Rookies
Thierry Henry New York Red Bulls
Robbie Keane LA Galaxy
Tim Cahill New York Red Bulls
Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes
Graham Zusi Sporting Kansas City
Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United
Alessandro Nesta Montreal Impact
John Bostock Toronto FC
Osvaldo Alonso Seattle Sounders FC
Omar Gonzalez LA Galaxy
Chris Pontius D.C. United
Will Bruin Houston Dynamo
Eddie Johnson Seattle Sounders FC
Mike Magee LA Galaxy
Juninho LA Galaxy
Kyle Beckerman Real Salt Lake
Brad Davis Houston Dynamo
Austin Berry Chicago Fire
Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City
Aurelien Collin Sporting Kansas City
Matt Besler Sporting Kansas City
Victor Bernardez San Jose Earthquakes
Nick DeLeon D.C. United
Darlington Nagbe Portland Timbers
Tally Hall Houston Dynamo
Federico Higuain Columbus Crew
Alvaro Saborio Real Salt Lake
Brian Ching Houston Dynamo
Mauro Rosales Seattle Sounders FC
Jose Villarreal LA Galaxy
Juan Agudelo Chivas USA
Kenny Cooper FC Dallas
Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake
Chris Rolfe Chicago Fire
Sean Johnson Chicago Fire
Joel Lindpere Chicago Fire
Steve Zakuani Seattle Sounders FC
Ramiro Corrales San Jose Earthquakes
Drew Moor Colorado Rapids
Jairo Arrieta Columbus Crew
Chad Marshall Columbus Crew
Justin Morrow San Jose Earthquakes
Zach Loyd FC Dallas
Carlo Cudicini LA Galaxy
Patrice Bernier Montreal Impact
Davy Arnaud Montreal Impact
Heath Pearce New York Red Bulls
Jeff Parke Philadelphia Union
Michael Gspurning Seattle Sounders FC
Darren Mattocks Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Michael Farfan Philadelphia Union
Ryan Johnson Portland Timbers
Fabian Espindola New York Red Bulls
Kevin Alston New England Revolution
Dan Kennedy Chivas USA
Robert Earnshaw Toronto FC
Claudio Bieler Sporting Kansas City
Jack McInerney Philadelphia Union
Sebastien Le Toux Philadelphia Union
David Ferreira FC Dallas
Diego Valeri Portland Timbers
Deshorn Brown Colorado Rapids
Edgar Mejia Chivas USA
Joaquin Velazquez Chivas USA
Mario de Luna Chivas USA
Bobby Burling Chivas USA
Eric Avila Chivas USA
Walter Vilchez Chivas USA
Laurent Courtois Chivas USA
Oswaldo Minda Chivas USA
Tristan Bowen Chivas USA
Dilly Duka Chicago Fire
Gonzalo Segares Chicago Fire
Jalil Anibaba Chicago Fire
Jeff Larentowicz Chicago Fire
Patrick Nyarko Chicago Fire
Sherjill MacDonald Chicago Fire
Atiba Harris Colorado Rapids
Brian Mullan Colorado Rapids
Diego Calderon Colorado Rapids
Dillon Powers Colorado Rapids
Hendry Thomas Colorado Rapids
Marvell Wynne Colorado Rapids
Matt Pickens Colorado Rapids
Agustin Viana Columbus Crew
Andy Gruenebaum Columbus Crew
Danny O’Rourke Columbus Crew
Dominic Oduro Columbus Crew
Glauber Columbus Crew
Josh Williams Columbus Crew
Tyson Wahl Columbus Crew
Bill Hamid D.C. United
Brandon McDonald D.C. United
Chris Korb D.C. United
Dejan Jakovic D.C. United
Lionard Pajoy D.C. United
Perry Kitchen D.C. United
James Riley D.C. United
Andrew Jacobson FC Dallas
George John FC Dallas
Jackson FC Dallas
Matt Hedges FC Dallas
Raul Fernandez FC Dallas
Fabian Castillo FC Dallas
Michel FC Dallas
Bobby Boswell Houston Dynamo
Boniek Garcia Houston Dynamo
Corey Ashe Houston Dynamo
Jermaine Taylor Houston Dynamo
Kofi Sarkodie Houston Dynamo
Ricardo Clark Houston Dynamo
A.J. DeLaGarza LA Galaxy
Jack McBean LA Galaxy
Marcelo Sarvas LA Galaxy
Sean Franklin LA Galaxy
Todd Dunivant LA Galaxy
Andrea Pisanu Montreal Impact
Felipe Martins Montreal Impact
Hassoun Camara Montreal Impact
Jeb Brovsky Montreal Impact
Marco Di Vaio Montreal Impact
Matteo Ferrari Montreal Impact
Troy Perkins Montreal Impact
A.J. Soares New England Revolution
Andrew Farrell New England Revolution
Clyde Simms New England Revolution
Jerry Bengtson New England Revolution
Jose Goncalves New England Revolution
Juan Toja New England Revolution
Lee Nguyen New England Revolution
Matt Reis New England Revolution
Saer Sene New England Revolution
Dax McCarty New York Red Bulls
Jamison Olave New York Red Bulls
Luis Robles New York Red Bulls
Brandon Barklage New York Red Bulls
Eric Alexander New York Red Bulls
Juninho New York Red Bulls
Amobi Okugo Philadelphia Union
Brian Carroll Philadelphia Union
Keon Daniel Philadelphia Union
Raymon Gaddis Philadelphia Union
Sheanon Williams Philadelphia Union
Zac MacMath Philadelphia Union
Andrew Jean-Baptiste Portland Timbers
Diego Chara Portland Timbers
Donovan Ricketts Portland Timbers
Michael Harrington Portland Timbers
Mikael Silvestre Portland Timbers
Will Johnson Portland Timbers
Jack Jewsbury Portland Timbers
Chris Schuler Real Salt Lake
Khari Stephenson Real Salt Lake
Kwame Watson-Siriboe Real Salt Lake
Luis Gil Real Salt Lake
Robbie Findley Real Salt Lake
Sebastian Velasquez Real Salt Lake
Tony Beltran Real Salt Lake
Jason Hernandez San Jose Earthquakes
Jon Busch San Jose Earthquakes
Rafael Baca San Jose Earthquakes
Sam Cronin San Jose Earthquakes
Ty Harden San Jose Earthquakes
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado Seattle Sounders FC
DeAndre Yedlin Seattle Sounders FC
Mario Martinez Seattle Sounders FC
Andy Rose Seattle Sounders FC
Benny Feilhaber Sporting Kansas City
Oriol Rosell Sporting Kansas City
Paulo Nagamura Sporting Kansas City
Seth Sinovic Sporting Kansas City
C.J. Sapong Sporting Kansas City
Ashtone Morgan Toronto FC
Danny Califf Toronto FC
Darren O’Dea Toronto FC
Hogan Ephraim Toronto FC
Joseph Bendik Toronto FC
Reggie Lambe Toronto FC
Richard Eckersley Toronto FC
Terry Dunfield Toronto FC
Alain Rochat Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Andy O’Brien Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Daigo Kobayashi Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Gershon Koffie Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Joe Cannon Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Jun Marques Davidson Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Kenny Miller Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Young-Pyo Lee Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Jay DeMerit Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Edson Buddle Colorado Rapids
Danny Mwanga Colorado Rapids
Logan Pause Chicago Fire
Blas Perez FC Dallas
Steven Beitashour San Jose Earthquakes
Steven Lenhart San Jose Earthquakes
Teal Bunbury Sporting Kansas City
Danny Koevermans Toronto FC
Landon Donovan LA Galaxy
Obafemi Martins Seattle Sounders FC
Giles Barnes Houston Dynamo

INSERTS
This Is Soccer Insert
Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United
Victor Bernardez San Jose Earthquakes
Aurelien Collin Sporting Kansas City
Ramiro Corrales San Jose Earthquakes
Deshorn Brown Colorado Rapids
Obafemi Martins Seattle Sounders FC
Justin Morrow San Jose Earthquakes
Austin Berry Chicago Fire
Jose Villarreal LA Galaxy
Dan Kennedy Chivas USA
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado Seattle Sounders FC
Hassoun Camara Montreal Impact
Mario Martinez Seattle Sounders FC
Robert Earnshaw Toronto FC
Fabian Espindola New York Red Bulls
Brian Ching Houston Dynamo

Topps 1978 EPL Soccer Insert
Thierry Henry New York Red Bulls
Robbie Keane LA Galaxy
Tim Cahill New York Red Bulls
Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes
Graham Zusi Sporting Kansas City
Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United
Alessandro Nesta Montreal Impact
John Bostock Toronto FC
Osvaldo Alonso Seattle Sounders FC
Omar Gonzalez LA Galaxy
Chris Pontius D.C. United
Will Bruin Houston Dynamo
Eddie Johnson Seattle Sounders FC
Mike Magee LA Galaxy
Juninho LA Galaxy
Kyle Beckerman Real Salt Lake
Brad Davis Houston Dynamo
Austin Berry Chicago Fire
Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City
Aurelien Collin Sporting Kansas City
Matt Besler Sporting Kansas City
Victor Bernardez San Jose Earthquakes
Nick DeLeon D.C. United
Darlington Nagbe Portland Timbers
Tally Hall Houston Dynamo
Federico Higuain Columbus Crew
Alvaro Saborio Real Salt Lake
Brian Ching Houston Dynamo
Mauro Rosales Seattle Sounders FC
Jose Villarreal LA Galaxy
Juan Agudelo Chivas USA
Kenny Cooper FC Dallas
Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake
Chris Rolfe Chicago Fire
Sean Johnson Chicago Fire
Joel Lindpere Chicago Fire
Steve Zakuani Seattle Sounders FC
Ramiro Corrales San Jose Earthquakes
Drew Moor Colorado Rapids
Jairo Arrieta Columbus Crew
Chad Marshall Columbus Crew
Justin Morrow San Jose Earthquakes
Carlo Cudicini LA Galaxy
Patrice Bernier Montreal Impact
Davy Arnaud Montreal Impact
Heath Pearce New York Red Bulls
Jeff Parke Philadelphia Union
Michael Gspurning Seattle Sounders FC
Darren Mattocks Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Michael Farfan Philadelphia Union
Ryan Johnson Portland Timbers
Fabian Espindola New York Red Bulls
Kevin Alston New England Revolution
Dan Kennedy Chivas USA
Robert Earnshaw Toronto FC
Claudio Bieler Sporting Kansas City
Jack McInerney Philadelphia Union
Sebastien Le Toux Philadelphia Union
Landon Donovan LA Galaxy
Jay DeMerit Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Topps Minis
Thierry Henry New York Red Bulls
Robbie Keane LA Galaxy
Tim Cahill New York Red Bulls
Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes
Graham Zusi Sporting Kansas City
Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United
Alessandro Nesta Montreal Impact
John Bostock Toronto FC
Osvaldo Alonso Seattle Sounders FC
Omar Gonzalez LA Galaxy
Chris Pontius D.C. United
Will Bruin Houston Dynamo
Eddie Johnson Seattle Sounders FC
Kyle Beckerman Real Salt Lake
Landon Donovan LA Galaxy

MLS Rivalries
LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers
D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls
Colorado Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake
Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact
New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls
D.C. United vs. Philaelphia Union
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas

AUTOS
SuperDraft Auto
Kyle Bekker Toronto FC
Emery Welshman Toronto FC
Ryan Finley Columbus Crew
Taylor Kemp D.C. United
Dillon Powers Colorado Rapids
Andrew Farrell New England Revolution
Carlos Alvarez Chivas USA
Mikey Lopez Sporting Kansas City

MLS Maestros
John Bostock Toronto FC
Danny Koevermans Toronto FC
Federico Higuain Columbus Crew
Danny Mwanga Colorado Rapids
Nick DeLeon D.C. United
Chris Pontius D.C. United
Drew Moor Colorado Rapids
Teal Bunbury Sporting Kansas City
Aurelien Collin Sporting Kansas City
Graham Zusi Sporting Kansas City
Matt Besler Sporting Kansas City
Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City
Michael Farfan Philadelphia Union

RELICS
MLS Kits
Osvaldo Alonso Seattle Sounders FC
Will Bruin Houston Dynamo
Brad Davis Houston Dynamo
Tim Cahill New York Red Bulls
Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City
Chris Pontius D.C. United
Jack Jewsbury Portland Timbers
Sean Johnson Chicago Fire
Michael Farfan Philadelphia Union
Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake
Matt Besler Sporting Kansas City
Steven Beitashour San Jose Earthquakes
Graham Zusi Sporting Kansas City
Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes
Teal Bunbury Sporting Kansas City
Mauro Rosales Seattle Sounders FC
Blas Perez FC Dallas
Nick DeLeon D.C. United
Steven Lenhart San Jose Earthquakes
Alvaro Saborio Real Salt Lake
Zach Loyd FC Dallas
Heath Pearce New York Red Bulls
Kyle Beckerman Real Salt Lake
Drew Moor Colorado Rapids
Eddie Johnson Seattle Sounders FC
Chris Rolfe Chicago Fire
Brian Ching Houston Dynamo
Austin Berry Chicago Fire
Thierry Henry New York Red Bulls
Danny Koevermans Toronto FC
Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United

Some samples of the cards.

Depending on the box price I'll see if it's worth my while to break some of this product. If I'm to open some boxes I'll definitely post my results here on SCB so be sure to stay tuned.

First Ever SCB Box Break

Originally posted on 28 April 2012.

To be honest there's just not that many contemporary unopened soccer products out there worth opening so I mainly stick to buying only the singles I want. However I do sometimes pick up a box from an older collection I'm interested in, especially if the price is right as was the case with my recently busted 36 pack box of 1994 Upper Deck Wold Cup.

I had yet to pick up this preview edition World Cup set so this was a great chance to add it to my WC sets collection. Here's the breakdown of the "hits" from my box break as pictured in the scan below. I got 4 different "Bora Selects" inserts which the back of the pack states that the odds of finding these is 1:12 packs. Next I got 2 SP "Honorary Captain" inserts (1:24 odds) including Michael Jordan. Lastly I got 6 (3 not pictured) "World Cup Super Star Holograms" inserts. I have heard that these hologram cards were originally meant to be stickers and it makes sense because they are much thinner than the rest of the cards and very flimsy, still nice looking cards though plus I absolutely smashed the odds on these as they're stated odds are only 1:18 but I got 6 in 36 packs.

As a result of this fun and dirt cheap break I now have the complete base set for my PC and a spare one to trade, as well as the entire Hologram insert set. I still need plenty of inserts especially the Bora and SSP Honorary Captains so if anyone out there has 'em I'd be interested in trading for them.

Key Soccer Rookie Cards Are On A Roll

And if they're graded by BGA or PSA they are beyond being on a roll, they're absolutely on fire! Check out what I mean by clicking on the eBay prices listed below for these Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zidane rookie cards.

Cristiano Ronaldo
2002-03 Panini Mega Craques
- $293.88 (BGS 9) -
- $247.50 (BGS 8.5) -
- $150.00 -
- $107.50 -
- $102.50 -
- $81.00 -

Lionel Messi
2004-05 Panini Mega Cracks
- 1,300.00 (PSA 10) -
- $704.99 (PSA 9) -
- $600.00 -
- $499.98 -
- $355.00 -
- $349.00 -
- $299.00 -
- $274.00 -
- $255.00 -
- $250.00 -
- $250.00 -
- $239.16 -
- $206.94 -
- $122.00 -
2004-05 MundiCromo Las Fichas de La Liga
- $175.00 (BGS 9) -
- $45.00 (BGS 9) -
2004-05 Panini Mega Cracks Barça Campeón/Campió
These 3 cards are XRC's (extended rookie cards) IMO but they still sell very well.
#35
- $167.50 (BGS 9.5) -
- $150.00 (BGS 9.5) -
- $149.99 (BGS 9.5) -
- $125.00 (BGS 9.5) -
- $78.77 (BGS 9.5) -
#62
- $91.00 (BGS 9.5) -
- $76.00 (BGS 9.5) -
- $71.00 (PSA 10) -
#89
- $149.99 (BGS 9.5) -
- $130.00 (BGS 9.5) -
- $100.00 (PSA 10) -
- $100.00 (BGS 9.5) -
- $70.99 (BGS 9.5) -
- $61.01 (PSA 10) -

Zinedine Zidane
1992-93 Panini Football Cards
- £68.67 -
- $66.00 -
- £35.55 -

The Messi RC's are the best performing of the bunch which is to be expected considering he is currently provoking discussions about whether he will one day be considered the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.) but Cristiano Ronaldo and Zidane are also rising. I picked up a Ronaldo BGS 8.5 RC for peanuts a few years ago. I also recall being outbid at the last moment for a Zidane RC which ended for $20 something bucks, I now regret not going higher on that one.

All of this suggests to me that interest in soccer rookies in general is growing. I wonder if this growing interest will last and if prices will continue to rise? I suppose only time will tell...