Learn English Through Football Podcast: Solo Goal
In this week's Learn English Through Football podcast we look at the phrase, 'solo effort' which describes a particular type of goal. We also look ahead to this weekend's football, with a focus on Manchester City versus Liverpool. You can read the transcript for this podcast below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases here and visit our site to access all our previous posts and podcasts. If you have any suggestions or questions about the phrase or our podcast then you can contact us at: contact@learnenglishthroughfootball.com.

https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/podcast.solo_.effort.091125.mp3
Hello
DB: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.

Hello there everyone. This is the Learn English Through Football Podcast and my name is Damon. I hope you are well. What's the weather like where you are? It's a bit chilly and cloudy here in Tokyo. I'm guessing it will be chilly too in London, where Damian, the other half of the team is based.

Earlier in the week, Damian was at the Tottenham Stadium to watch Spurs vs Copenhagne. I wonder what he thought of the Micky van de Ven goal? It was an amazing goal, and we will be talking about the football language connected with that in the main part of the show. And after that, we'll finish with my predictions for the Sunday game between Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (from a Spurs fan)

DB: Thank you for that message, which was from Akito a big Spurs fan from Japan. Why don't you send in a stinger, a message like that, saying your name, which team you support, and 'You are listening to Learn English Through Football.com' in English or your language.Just record an audio and send it to contact@learnenglishthroughfootball.com.

We will have more stingers or messages throughout the show in different languages - try and guess what they are. We'll let you know what they are at the end of the show.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Chinese)
Football Language: (a) Solo Effort
DB: Right, on today's show we are going to talk a little about that Micky Van de Ven goal and some football phrases and language to describe it. We'll start with 'a sole effort'. Now, in football, a 'solo effort' is a phrase to describe a goal scored by a player who individually creates and finishes the scoring opportunity. The player often dribbles past opponents and does not need teammates. Micky van de Ven’s goal against Copenhagen is a classic example.

Here is ESPN describing the goal: 'van de Ven picked up possession close to his own half, broke up the pitch through multiple defenders and fired a clinical finish into the bottom corner.'

So he started the move in his own half, ran about 75 metres and beat 4 defenders before scoring.

http://gty.im/2245030556

In summary, a solo effort is when a player 1) takes control of the ball and drives forward alone; 2) beats multiple defenders using skill, speed, or strength; and 3) finishes the move with a goal, without passing or assistance.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Indonesian) 
Football Language: Slot Home
DB: Now, in ESPN's description they said van de Ven 'fired a clinical finish into the bottom corner'. A clinical finish is an accurate shot that leads to a goal. We could also say that he slotted home.