Soccer Soccer Soccer

Two weeks ago I shot a whole bunch of soccer, two Chicago Fire games for USA Today Sports Images and two days of U.S. Youth Soccer Eastern Regionals for U.S. Youth Soccer. I don't think I could ever have too much soccer. Maybe one day I'll get to shoot a World Cup Final? 

At the Youth Soccer I had a 1DX with a 35 on a mini tripod with a Pocket Wizard Plus 3, carried it with me to every field I was shooting, and plopped it down behind the net. I checked the aim of it before walking away to where I plopped down on my stool near the corner of the field I was shooting. I sometimes had to try to get the sandbags holding the net down to flatten and get out of my shot. I set my focus earlier in the day and just paced off the distance from the back of the net so I knew where to put the camera. It took work to handle that while shooting so many fields, I think I got at least a few shots from nearly 20 games over the two days.

I've posted almost all of these shots on my Instagram already, with some adjustments to a few, but here are my favorites from all the soccer I recently shot. 

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutierrez (40) celebrates with fans after their win over Atlanta United after the game at Soldier Field. The Chicago Fire won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

A player does a flip in front of his team after they won at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jun 26, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Cory Burke (19) loses his footing and slips while dribbling against the Chicago Fire during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

The goalkeeper reacts after giving up the game winning goal in a penalty shootout at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire forward Robert Beric (27) collides with Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) as defender Miles Robinson (12) makes a play for the ball before the play was called back for offside during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Fans and players hoist up their goal keeper after they won in a penalty shootout at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Jake Mulraney (23) wraps his hand around the face of Chicago Fire midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski (11) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Mike Roberts and his children Charlotte, 8, and Henry, 12, celebrate a goal for England while watching the Euro 2020 soccer championship quarterfinal match between Ukraine and England during the Day of Futbol event before the game between the Chicago Fire and the Atlanta United at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

#6 kicks the shoe of an opponent while making a play for the ball at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire midfielder Ignacio Aliseda (7) celebrates after scoring his second goal of the game against Atlanta United during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Players battle for a header at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jun 26, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Sergio Santos (17) reacts after offside was called on a play against the Chicago Fire during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

A player shields the ball near the corner flag at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

The goal keeper reacts after being scored on at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jun 26, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth (1) collects the ball as defender Francisco Calvo (5) leaps in the air as he defends Philadelphia Union forward Sergio Santos (17) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Players battle for a header at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Players battle for the ball at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

#5 leaps to control the ball at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

A spectator reacts to a call by the referee at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

The team huddles up before their championship game at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer