Viz Media, LLC has announced that it will publish a sports manga commemorating the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team's victory over Mexico in September of 2005.  The 2-0 victory gave the U.S. team the right to compete in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and it marks the first time since 1934 that the U.S. was the first team from the North American region to qualify for the World Cup.  The Viz-produced graphic novel, Next Stop: Germany will be given away to fans as a special premium at the final three Men's National Team games.  The games, which have been dubbed the Send-Off Series, will be held on May 23rd, 2006 in Nashville, TN, May 26th in Cleveland, OH, and May 28th in Hartford, CT.  At this time, the only way fans may obtain this special manga is to attend the games.

The success of Viz Media's soccer-themed sports manga, Whistle! impressed officials at U.S. Soccer, who then approached Viz with the concept of developing an original manga title celebrating the exploits of the national team and the excitement of international soccer.  Sports manga is a huge genre in Japan and the category has been growing quickly here in the States among both male and female readers thanks to titles such as Crimson Hero (volleyball), The Prince of Tennis, and Eyeshield 21 (American football.).