A soccer team of 11 players is divided into the specialist areas of goalkeeper, defense, midfield and attack. The team that dominates the midfield dominates the game. If a team's midfield players cannot string passes together or thread the ball through to the attackers, then they will be pressured backward by the opposition, whose midfield is capable of passing freely. The role of a midfielder differs depending upon his position and his talents.
4-4-2
The 4-4-2 formation in soccer involves four defenders, four midfielders and two attackers. As the BBC website notes, this is the most common formation in British soccer. The two central midfield players are "work-horses," trying to break down the opposition's advance by tackling, winning the ball and passing it on. The two wide midfielders perform the same duties as the central midfielders but also advance down the sides of the pitch and cross-in the ball for the attackers.
Sweeper Formation
A sweeper formation normally involves five players across the midfield. In this formation, a "sweeper" player sits in a position in front of the four defenders. The sweeper acts as an extra defender who, once winning the ball, can help spring the attack. It is a specialist position which is normally filled by an experienced player who has a "soccer brain" and can spot opportunities that other players cannot. It is not uncommon for the sweeper to be the captain.
Wingers
Wingers are the midfield players on the left and right flanks of the formation. In the 4-4-2 formation their movement is restricted somewhat due to defensive duties but in a sweeper formation they are often given license to become attacking players on the flanks, running and taking on opposition defenders and shooting at goal. Wingers are often, but not always, smaller and highly agile players. They are players with great speed who cause counterattacking moves.
Box-To-Box
The box-to-box midfielder, like Steven Gerrard of Liverpool, is a dying breed, according to "Sports Illustrated." This type of midfielder is a leader by the example of his work ethic; the position calls for incredible fitness levels, greater than those of any other player on the pitch. This midfielder's job is to get in last-ditch tackles in defense and then to spring the attack and advance just behind the strikers, ready for goal-scoring opportunities.
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