The Wide Words of Sports: A Soccer and a Football Special

Kick off the day by practicing this list of words about soccer, football, or fútbol, if you prefer. And don't forget to scream "Goooooaaaaal" after you master it!
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. soccer
    a football game in which two teams of 11 players try to kick or head a ball into the opponents' goal
    He turned to Coach Warner and reported, “My wife thinks they’re from his soccer team. The Tangerine Middle School soccer team.” Tangerine
  2. competition
    an occasion on which a winner is selected from contestants
    United went into the game without a win or a goal in its previous four matches in all competitions, having lost three times during that run.
    – The Seattle Times
  3. league
    an association of sports teams that organizes matches
    Sinclair, 40, is one of just three active players in the National Women’s Soccer League who have played for the same team since the league launched in 2013.
    – The Seattle Times
  4. uniform
    clothing of distinctive design worn by members of a group
    United’s latest jerseys fit within a wider trend in MLS toward themed uniforms.
    – The Washington Post
  5. goal
    the place toward which players try to advance a ball or puck
    The 41-year-old was walking all the way from Spain with the goal of reaching Qatar to support Spain’s national team at soccer’s biggest global event.
    – The Washington Times
  6. goalie
    the soccer or hockey player assigned to protect the goal
    He pivoted and turned, and with his left and weaker foot, kicked a line drive that curved down just under the Fire goalie’s hands. Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference
  7. score
    gain points in a game
    She won her soccer team’s Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals. Class Matters
  8. hat trick
    three scores by one player in one game
    Wood, who joined Newcastle in January 2022 and was sold to Forest 18 months later, struck a hat trick in his team’s 3-1 win in the Premier League at St. James’ Park on Tuesday.
    – The Seattle Times
  9. equalize
    compensate; make the score equal
    Isak put Newcastle in front after 13 minutes and Sterling equalized 10 minutes later.
    – The Washington Times
  10. penalty
    a handicap or disadvantage that is imposed on a competitor
    A Kinnow defender took Maya down in the penalty area, and he blew the whistle right away. Tangerine
  11. athlete
    a person trained to compete in sports
    By accepting the invitation, I would be joining an elite group of athletes, coaches, and sports journalists—like legends Mia Hamm and Billie Jean King—who were standouts in their field. Proud
  12. defense
    the team trying to prevent the other team from scoring
    Gino took the ball away from Henry D. like he wasn’t even there and came sprinting right up the middle of our defense. Tangerine
  13. offense
    the team that has the ball (or puck) and is trying to score
    They were great on offense, and added one goal, and another, and another. Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference
  14. formation
    an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
    City also has Nathan Ake for that role in a formation that essentially sees the team play a defense full of center backs and dispense with full backs. For that role in a formation that essentially sees the team play a defense full of center backs and dispense with full backs.
    – The Washington Times
  15. substitution
    putting one thing or person in the place of another
    A few players said the lack of substitutions also hurt a lot of players’ confidence.
    – Salon
  16. referee
    the official in a sport who is expected to ensure fair play
    When the referee blew his whistle three times to signal the end of the game, the score was 7-2, Phoenix. Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference
  17. offside
    (sport) the mistake of occupying an illegal position on the playing field (in football, soccer, ice hockey, field hockey, etc.)
    I ran downfield and positioned myself in front of the goal, being careful not to get offside. Facing the Lion
  18. punt
    kick the ball
    Each side would run three plays and then punt the ball away. Tangerine
  19. dribble
    propel a ball by repeated taps or kicks
    He dribbled by four defenders — diverting some of them by shifting his view across the field for an instant — before scoring from the edge of the area.
    – The Seattle Times
  20. volley
    return a ball by hitting it before it bounces
    United maintained pressure, and in the 70th minute Barraza made a sensational reaction save on Ted Ku-DiPietro’s side volley from close range.
    – The Washington Post
Created on Tue Jan 23 16:18:01 EST 2024 (updated Mon Jan 29 16:57:36 EST 2024)

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