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Braves player uses foot to stop ball, gains approval from U.S. Soccer

During the fifth inning of the Atlanta Braves’ 7–2 loss to the San Diego Padres, second baseman Kelly Johnson decided to try something different.

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During the fifth inning of the Atlanta Braves’ 7–2 loss to the San Diego Padres, second baseman Kelly Johnson decided to try something different.

As he ranged to his left, well into the outfield, Johnson decided that instead of diving for the ball he would just halt its forward progress with his left foot.

It went well! The maneuver erased any possibility of a Wil Myers hustle double, and made Johnson look wise. 

He wasn’t looking for feedback on his kick, but he got it from U.S. Soccer.

Look, soccer Twitter-account-runner, you can’t have it both ways. You want my man Kelly to just kick the ball into second? That wouldn’t be nearly as cool.

What would be cool, though, is a goal on Tuesday night against Costa Rica.

– Kenny Ducey