center forward

noun

Soccer.

1. an offensive player who covers the center of the field and who usually starts the kickoff.

Word History and Origins

Origin of center forward¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The Galaxy still haven’t replaced Joveljic — they got just eight MLS goals combined from their strikers in 2025, about half what Joveljic scored by himself the year before — so finding a dangerous center forward or two is a priority.

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Now Scamacca is ready to fill Italy’s gaping hole at center forward just in time for Euro 2024 in Germany.

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Ciro Immobile has been Italy’s go-to man at center forward for years but has never performed as well with the national team as he has at Lazio and, at 34, is likely to have his best years behind him.

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The crisis at center forward grew so severe that previous Italy coach Roberto Mancini recruited Argentine-born striker Mateo Retegui to join the Azzurri.

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Italy hasn’t had a true center forward since perhaps the days of Christian Vieri, Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino.

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