1) Cropping: I agree, keep it tight. Get right in there where the action is.
2) Angle: Again, I agree. I had this issue when shooting sports at first. There was just something missing, and I couldn't put my finger on it. All the pros who shoot sporting events are generally sitting. It doesn't matter which sport: football, basketball, soccer...all the 'togs are sitting down on the sidelines most of the time. That lower angle just adds a little extra pop that makes the viewer feel like they're on the field.
Work on your timing and varying your shutter speed. Imagine if shot #2 were 1-3 frames later. You'd have a cool shot of a kicked soccer ball in motion versus a ball just laying on the ground.