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Every once in a great while, we're treated to an opportunity to see an absolutely fantastic free kick and an absolutely fantastic goal. Javier Morales's goal on Saturday was an example of just that.
We're trying to figure out exactly how that came to be, and as always, it's a combination of movement off the ball, understanding space, and defying the expectations of the opponent. A graphic follows.
Javier Morales and Kyle Beckerman line up to take the free kick. Beckerman is actually essential here, as he masks the intended direction of the free kick.
Notice Alvaro Saborio and Sebastian Jaime making holes in the wall. The timing is impeccable.
A deflection sends the ball on a slightly different course, but the dip and direction of the ball don't change considerably.
The left half of the wall jumps, expecting an over-the-wall approach from Morales. The right half tries to protect from a low shot through gaps made by Saborio and Jaime.
Javier Morales and Kyle Beckerman line up to take the free kick. Beckerman is actually essential here, as he masks the intended direction of the free kick.
Notice Alvaro Saborio and Sebastian Jaime making holes in the wall. The timing is impeccable.
The left half of the wall jumps, expecting an over-the-wall approach from Morales. The right half tries to protect from a low shot through gaps made by Saborio and Jaime.
A deflection sends the ball on a slightly different course, but the dip and direction of the ball don't change considerably.