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Published on 08/03/1998 All articles from this issue

Business

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

Business Profile

Soccer World bracing for local youth league season

The start of school also signals the start of the soccer season for many kids in the Los Altos area. That means it's time to run wind sprints, work on those touch passes and head to the sporting goods store.

One place to do the latter is the newly relocated Soccer World in Mountain View. The store - one of nine in the Bay Area - specializes in soccer equipment and apparel. And since moving into a larger building last month, Soccer World can house a lot more of this gear.

Soccer World's new locale, the former home of Kinko's Copies on El Camino Real and Calderon Avenue, is three times the size of its old shop, according to assistant manager Clinton Noe.

The extra space already seems to be paying dividends.

"It's fantastic," said Noe, who's been with Soccer World for a year. "We're getting a lot more foot traffic, sales are up and we can accommodate more people here. The parking is better, too."

Despite its name, Soccer World offers more than soccer stuff. The store recently started selling baseball and softball accessories as well.

But Noe said the main focus is still on soccer, especially this time of year. "With youth soccer practice starting in late August, this is the month of footwear and shin guards," Noe said. "All the kids' shoes are laced up and ready to go."

Noe recommends first-time players purchase cleats, shin guards, soccer socks and, of course, a ball.

He said items like practice shorts and athletic bags aren't must-haves, but they do come in handy.

Cleats are among the biggest sellers at Soccer World, Noe said, and the store prides itself on carrying a wide variety of shoes from Adidas, Reebok and the like.

Soccer World seems to have a shoe to fit any surface. This includes basic molded cleats for typical grass fields and screw-ins for muddy fields. Then there are special shoes for indoors, turf and training. No one makes cleats for playing on hot lava, but if they ever do, it's a good bet Soccer World will carry them.

Shin guards may be less exciting to shop for than shoes, but Noe said they're just as important. Not only are they required attire, but these things can be a real shin-saver when an opposing player mistakes your lower leg for the ball.

When it comes to socks, Noe said players need to know there's a difference between everyday athletic socks and official soccer socks.

"Soccer socks are thicker and longer," he said. "They're made to stretch over the shin guards."

Soccer World also caters to entire teams, which can order uniforms from the store.

Noe said the biggest advantage Soccer World has over typical sporting goods stores is knowledge. Employees have either played soccer or are big fans of the sport.

"We definitely have more knowledge than you would find at Sportsmart or somewhere like that," said Noe, who still plays the game on occasion.

Soccer fans have even been known to come by the shop just to talk soccer.

"It's a good place to get into a soccer conversation," Noe said.

For more information about Soccer World, call 965-1065.