Day one of the Soccer Nation Expo, put on by Cal South, was a melange of products and personalities. The Los Angeles Convention Center was bustling with music and activity Saturday - some of which you had to see to believe.

STAR POWER

Former Mexican soccer star Jorge Campos made a special appearance alongside Nike and took a few moments to share his experiences

As Mexico’s premier goalkeeper during the 1990s, Campos was greeted with warranted fanfare. He stressed the need for young aspiring players to work hard and establish a strong work ethic the way he did as a young player.

On the women’s side, Brazil’s Marta accompanied her new team - the Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer. And not only did the electrifying forward smile and shake hands with her adoring admirers, she provided a small exhibition, playing alongside a group of young teams competing in a scrimmage. She toyed with her young understudies, weaving through the defense and providing a glimpse of what fans can expect for the upcoming season.  

Chivas USA was present, and brought along forwards Alecko Eskandarian and Justin Braun.

Chivas has lofty expectations this year as it retains nearly all of its core and will enter the year injury-free.

Eskandarian talked about his soccer upbringing and growing up with father Andranik Eskandarian - a former professional player who was a member of the New York Cosmos and also competed in the 1978 World Cup for Iran.

Despite his ultra competitive household, Alecko always remembered to prioritize soccer as a game, and to enjoy it - a lesson that could serve today’s youth well.

TRICKSTERS

Back in action were world-recognized freestyle jugglers, John Farnworth and Abbas Farid. The UK duo are both Guinness World Record holders for their flawless execution of tricks, and the two once again put on a show in front of an awed crowd.

Their act created such a buzz last month that it got them kicked out of the exhibitor room at the NSCAA Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Thankfully, this time they were a part of the show and proved once again why they’re must-see entertainment.

Joining in on the action were the Futboleros, a group of traveling soccer entertainers who put on a display of their own. This team of showmen ranges from ages 18 to 30. They travel to conventions, tournaments etc ... showing their ball skills and imaginations. They’re like the Harlem Globetrotters of soccer, and half the fun of seeing them is watching the way they interact together.

PRODUCT

Nike Media Relations Manager Tanya Lopez was kind enough to show off her company’s new Nike 5 Zoom indoor cleat. It’s one of the hottest new products on the market as seemingly one in every 10 players at the expo was sporting them.

They come in a unique spearmint color, also available in black, and offer a new level of comfort.

The four founders of Calle, the street soccer apparel company, took a moment to share some of their new products, which include balls, and trendy shirts. All of their products are marked by a kind of freedom in color and style, and in conversing with the brains behind the wear it’s easy to see why.

TopDrawerSoccer.com will have much more on new products in the coming days.