text: can you have a fast break in world cup soccer? in the usa/czech republic soccer match the other day, the czech republic scored a goal (the third of the game) on a breakaway.  should the cr player been off-sides since there wasn't a us player between him and the goal besides the goalkeeper? with doubt often happens if a ball is delivered in front of or  behind the last defender an opposing player can attack the ball provided the ball is  past him,irrespective of the position of the last defender