How do you solve a problem like not scoring?

It’s great that the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is showcasing some of the best female soccer players in the world all in one league. We get to see the Brazilians Marta and Cristiane, the English international talents of Kelly Smith and Karen Carney and the best Americans in Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd. One thing we are not seeing is goals. Or let me be blunt great shooting leading to lots of goals.Clinical finishing.
So far this season over halfway through a 20 game regular season , there has been 96 goals scored(not inc own goals). Impressive? Well not really when you hear that is from 487 shots on goal. Or even worse from 1128 total shots. I suppose you can say , well the goalkeepers have played well or at least the teams are creating chances. Or is it a case of teams having bad luck, hitting the woodwork etc.

Well it is all of the above and more. The more part being players not taking their chances, players not being composed, rushing their shots or just not knowing what to do in front of goal.

Never have we seen so many wayward shots or shots even I could save in the WPS. My only hope is that it’s just first year syndrome and we will see clinical shooting from more than a Marta, Abily or Smith.

To shoot 20 times in a match , with say more than half on target, either scoring a goal or not is not UNLUCKY….it’s time to call it what it is POOR FINISHING. Take note Sky Blue FC , Boston Breakers, Athletica, Red Stars, etc…ok every team apart from LA.

We are into the second half of the season, near the finishing line to gain that playoff spot. There are no second chances. Shoot the ball to either side of the goalkeeper with pace..it is really quite simple.



Paul Taylor -Independant Soccer report