Blair Newman

One example of the USWNT's pressing that leads to a goal vs. Germany in the 1991 World Cup semi-final

Lauren Davidson with the superb, pinpoint cross for Scotland's goal tonight. Couldn't have placed it any better.

Boston marked up all over the field. Boom or bust defensive style that can really highlight any one-on-one weaknesses. Dali was so often the key to the game for San Diego, running off the shoulder of Olivieri, who was caught ball-watching a few times.

Jayden Perry ➡️ Reilyn Turner 335 days apart, same routine

Clipped this because I couldn't not. Raphinha's movement for Barcelona's opening goal. In, out, in, out. The commentators thought Hall was just unlucky? He got put upside down by top movement from a top player...

Avaani Prakash (Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory)

Caroline Weir is one of the most complete No.10s you will see in the game.

The Left Foot of Destiny

My favourite Caroline Weir goal recently. The movement into space, the first touch and swivel, and the curl on that shot into the top corner. A stunning strike, a Weir classic.

When someone says something like "culture eats strategy for breakfast" I always hear Limmy...

Bunny Shaw's first touch is as good as you'll find among centre forwards. Can make it stick in a few different ways.

Gutierres makes it 4-1 just as Uruguay were coming alive again. Whoosh.

Amanda Gutierres goal. Nice movement to stay on, stunning header.

On Team Hampton since Birmingham. (Not everyone was, to be honest.) Her ability to spread the field as a goalkeeper always stood out. (Also thought her command of the box was good.) Today it's her shot-stopping, which feels like it's improved a lot over the years.

Wiegman's go-to last-ditch tactic is wingers on their 'weak' side, playing in-swinging crosses while loading the box to test the keeper and centre-backs of the opponent (winning & often defending deeper). It had an effect against Spain three years ago, and against Sweden and Italy at this Euro.

Real Madrid's Yasmim scored two identical free kicks in the first half of Brazil vs. Paraguay

Short video on Camila Arrieta's performance for Paraguay v Colombia the other night. The 23-year-old played left wing-back in a 5-3-2. Good anticipation, a number of interceptions + some skill on the ball too. Plays club footy in Brazil for 3b da Amazonia (joined from Cruzeiro in February).

Georgia Stanway & Keira Walsh: How to find space in midfield. A short but sweet video example. ❌WON'T work: standing still, pointing and shouting ✔️WILL work: change of pace, of direction, or of position Simple but effective movement from the base midfielders to make themselves available.

What makes the achievement all the more special is it comes through exceptional teambuilding. Grant Scott, probably one of the best coaches you've not heard of, and a team recruited predominantly from the domestic league. Here's the moment Linzi Taylor, signed from Partick, scores the winner.

Scotland 1-0 up away to Germany going into the second half! Who else but Caroline Weir with the goal. 6-0 Scotland in shots on target. Double pivot of Weir/Cuthbert working nicely.

4) Messiah Bright hold up and link play, including: - Intelligent first touch under pressure & use of body - Ability to absorb contact + keep ball in playing distance - Finding teammates, lay-offs keeping possession going - Drawing defenders towards her...overloads elsewhere

2) Messiah Bright offering Houston an outlet, includes: - Using arms to frame marker & wrestle around them 🤼 - Close control to keep ball under pressure - Buying yards, winning corners - Offering in behind, just not found

2) Further video showing Messiah Bright's defensive performance. Includes: - Checking shoulder to see opponent 👀 - Adjusting position to screen from in front - Leading press, encouraging teammates to follow - Angling pressing runs so as to continue screening - Taking away opponent's time/options

1) Quick primer on Messiah Bright's defensive role in this game up front in a defensive 4-4-2. Marking from in front, limiting angles into midfield, forcing Washington to look sideways/wide/long.

Messiah Bright did an important defensive job for Houston yesterday, as part of a front two in defensive 4-4-2. I got told she had "0 defensive actions". Well, the devil is in the detail! Houston front two not trying to tackle/steal, but remove pass into CM entirely. Clip below, more to come!

Momiki goal for Japan. Moving to the blind side so defender can't see both player and ball. Momiki in control from then (and a wonderful pass to find her).

Australia never as bad as the Japan result. Good players with a point to prove & crucially can compete physically with anyone. They're getting upfield almost exclusively via direct ball to Foord, whose touch & aerial presence gives an outlet. USA struggling to deal with her.

2 goals for Montse Saldivar today in Mexico's win over Chinese Taipei. (Below is the 1st, on her 'weaker' right foot.) The 18 year old wide player stood out last year (think she was at left-back for America in a Liga MX game I saw). Now playing & scoring regularly for club and country.

Some thoughts on Hawa Sangare, who scored for Reims at the weekend. Let go by PSG, played for Bordeaux last season. This season she has 4 goals 1 assist in 15 games. Looks a real target striker, all but impossible to shift off the ball between power & control. Perhaps coming into her own at 22.

Ngock hiding intentions. Body language before receiving, making the opponent think she's going somewhere she isn't. Make that bit of space for herself to play. Her first touch puts a number of world class holding midfielders to shame.

Tuned in for Monique Ngock in Reims 2-1 loss to Dijon at the weekend. 20 year old midfielder. Her first touch is excellent. Aware of what's around, opens it up for herself, knows when to retain and when to progress.