Game of the Week: USA vs. Ireland

Overview:

This week was an exciting week in soccer! Seeing the USA Women's National team defeat Ireland was exhilarating. The match was set in Portland, Oregon at JELD-WEN field. Alex Morgan, number 13 for the United States Women's National team put on a show on Wednesday evening. She scored three of the five goals on the night. The other two goals were scored by Sydney Leroux. The US started the game with a 4-4-2, then at halftime switched to a 3-4-3 to finish the game. Head coach Jill Ellis was proud of the US team.

Statistics and Lineup:

Goal Scorers
USA – Alex Morgan (Heather Mitts) 24th minute
USA – Alex Morgan (Lauren Cheney) 34
USA – Alex Morgan 44
USA – Sydney Leroux (Heather O’Reilly) 62
USA – Sydney Leroux (Amy Rodriguez) 81

Lineups
USA: 1-Hope Solo (18-Nicole Barnhart, 46); 2-Heather Mitts (5-Kelley O’Hara, 46), 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 16-Rachel Buehler, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn; 15-Megan Rapinoe (8-Amy Rodriguez, 59), 10-Carli Lloyd, 12-Lauren Cheney, 17-Tobin Heath (9-Heather O’Reilly, 46); 13-Alex Morgan (11-Sydney Leroux, 59), 14-Abby Wambach (7-Shannon Boxx, 46)Subs Not Used: 6-Amy LePeilbet, 21-Jill Loyden
Head coach: Jill Ellis

IRL: 1-Emma Byrne; 2-Sophie Perry (7-Mary Therese McDonnell, 46), 4-Louise Quinn, 5-Yvonne Tracey, 8-Meabh De Burca; 6-Niamh Fahey (18-Ciara Grant, 57), 10-Julie Ann Russell, 11-Aine O’Gorman (17-Shannon Smyth, 46), 13-Diane Caldwell; 9-Fiona O’Sullivan, 12-Denise O’Sullivan (15-Ruesha Littlejohn, 90+2)Subs Not Used: 3-Megan Campbell, 14-Shannon McDonnell, 16-Eve Gbadana
Head coach: Sue Ronan

Stats Summary: USA / IRL
Shots: 20 / 3
Shots on Goal: 10 / 1
Saves: 1 / 5
Corner Kicks: 2 / 1
Fouls: 6 / 4
Offside: 3 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Katja Koroleva (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Marlene Duffy (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Felisha Mariscal (USA)
Fourth Official: Ronald Lagraff (USA)

Video Highlights:

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Player of the Week: Alex Morgan

Alexandra Patricia Morgan

• Squad No: 13
• Position: Forward
• Age: 23
• Birth Date: July 2,1989
• Birth Place: Diamond Bar, California
• Height: 5' 7''
• Weight: 136.7  lbs  

Alex Morgan is one of the United States National Team's key players. The 2012 Olympics proved to be the young player's best competition. Alongside teammate Abby Wambach, she helped lead the team to win Olympic gold. Most good players start club or premiere soccer at a young age. Morgan did not start until she was 14. She was a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball, volleyball, track, and softball. While at the University of California at Berkeley,she joined the U-17 National team and became a superstar (She did not play college soccer because  of NCAA rules regarding accepting money  for Olympic medals.). You can watch Alex Morgan score goals in the video below. Visit her personal website for pictures, videos, and upcoming events:  alexmorgansoccer.com

Formations

One of the most important aspects of soccer is the proper formation-- the arrangement of players into position on the field. Coaches adjust their formations depending on how aggressive or defensive they want their team to be. Popular formations include 4-4-2 , 4-3-3, 4-5-1, 5-3-2 and 4-2-3-1. In my opinion the formation 4-4-2 is the way to go! The 4-5-1 and the 4-3-3 are also very effective.

4-4-2

My favorite formation is the 4-2-2. It is a balance between a defensive team and an offensive team, which most teams are. Each person has an individual job on the field. The goalkeeper is the same in all formations, protecting the goal using their their hands and feet. The centre-backs are defensive players that focus on clearing the ball to the outside. The left- and right-backs clear the ball up the sides and also look for runs and overlaps. The centre midfielders are the anchors of the 4-4-2. This formation allows for compensation. For instance, the centre midfielders can be positioned one in front of the other or beside each other. The left and right midfielders run the planks, or outsides, and look for crosses. The centre forwards in the 4-4-2 can be used as target players or run-on players. They main goal is to score and assist. The 4-4-2 is my favorite formation because it allows versatility. I believe it is better than the 4-5-1 and the 4-3-3 because it compensates for lack of depth. The 4-5-1 utilizes only one forward. It doesn't help when your losing and trying to score a tying goal. The 4-3-3 is a good formation, but you have to have an outstanding centre midfielder to fill the position and do the work of two centre midfielders.  

Introduction

This blog's intent is to help you to become a successful soccer player, update you on current soccer teams/players, and acquaint you with different drills and statistics!

Equipment Needed

You need a few pieces of equipment to be able to play soccer successfully. Soccer is a form of football played between two teams of 11 players. The ball may be advanced by kicking or bouncing it off any part of the body but the arms and hands (except in the case of the goalkeepers, who may use their hands to catch, carry, throw, or stop the ball. )



A Defensive/Offensive Player Needs...

Nike CTR360 Libretto III FG 

• Shin Guards

• Soccer Cleats





A Goalkeeper Needs...

• Shin Guards

• Soccer Cleats

• Goalie Gloves

 Practice

To be a good soccer player, you must practice regularly. A good respectable coach also helps to make your soccer successful. You must also master the basic skills of soccer. Drill, Drill, Drill can help you achieve you maximum potential.

(I do not recieve any money or endorsments from Nike or any other product featured on this blog.)