MLS Stars Blanco & Kljestan FIFA Soccer 10 Cover Athletes (USA vs. Mexico Video)

[Steve_OS]

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – August 10, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced Major League Soccer stars Cuauhtémoc Blanco of Chicago Fire and Sacha Kljestan of Chivas USA will be featured on the front packs of FIFA Soccer 10, the next chapter in the internationally acclaimed videogame franchise from EA SPORTS.

Blanco is a popular midfielder for Chicago and two-time MLS All-Star. Prior to joining the Fire, he won five MVP awards in the Mexican Premier League. Blanco has represented Mexico at two FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002), and is the second leading goal scorer of all time for the Mexican national team.

Blanco is well-known for his unique Cuauhtémiña (CWAU-te-MEEN-YA) or "Blanco Bounce" move, in which he jumps with the ball held between his feet to escape defenders. The “Blanco Bounce” is a featured skill move in FIFA Soccer 10.

As an attacking midfielder for Chivas USA and the U.S. Men’s National Team, Kljestan enjoyed a breakout season in 2008. In his third year in MLS, Kljestan led Chivas USA in scoring, was named Team MVP, chosen an MLS All-Star, and played for the United States Olympic Team. Kljestan has appeared in 12 matches for the full U.S. National Team.

The spotlight will also shine on Chelsea’s world-class attacking midfielder Frank Lampard who will be featured on FIFA Soccer 10 packaging in North America and around the world. Lampard is just the second midfield player in the history of English Premier League to score more than 100 goals.

Responding to consumer feedback from more than 400 million online games played* last year, FIFA Soccer 10 will deliver gameplay refinements and innovations that will make it the most complete and intelligent simulation of soccer. The first-ever true 360° dribbling system gives players finer control of the ball, enabling them to find spaces between defenders that previously were not possible. A new Freedom in Physical Play concept enables players to perform wider dribble touches and new collision sharing creates a varied, less predictable, and extended fight for possession between the dribbler and a defender. Master the game before stepping on the pitch in a new practice arena that enables users to design free kicks for different dead ball situations. Record and test plays before taking them onto the pitch with Customizable Set Pieces.

Visit WWW.FIFA.EASPORTS.COM for more information about FIFA Soccer 10.

FIFA Soccer 10 is developed in 18 languages and available in 37 countries around the world–-it is the most popular EA SPORTS franchise globally. FIFA Soccer 10 will be available in stores throughout North America on October 20. It will be available for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, Wii™ home video game system, PC, PlayStation®2, Nintendo DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and mobile. It is developed under the EA SPORTS brand by EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB and 3+ by Pegi in Europe.

[marcoyk]

Blanco's move and shot at the end were awesome! Can't wait!

[Whitesox]

October couldn't be further. Really glad some MLS players are getting the cover.

[marcoyk]

Eww! I just realized that Oguchi Onyewu looks horrible. They got him right last year. I'm sure they'll fix his appearance.

[KG]

Those trailer videos do nothing for me. You can't notice any gameplay improvements and when its zoomed in like that it looks virtually the same as '09.

[Tomasperez9]

That looks terrible. Was the Blanco hop there at the end necessary? Doesn't he use it to split defenders, not to set up a difficult volley for himself when he's in space?

Case and point...

[PodSquad]

LOL at Klejstan being on the cover. Seriously?

[buzzguy]

Is there a "dive" button for Blanco? Ha!
OK choices for MLS players, but I'd rather see DeRo on the cover, or Montero. Both of those guys are higher-profile and more exciting the Sacha.