In 23 NWSL regular-season matches, there have been 47 goals. Within all the competition are goals that stand out above the rest. Whether it’s the form of the goal or the moment connected to it, there are 10 that stand out amongst the rest. Here are the Beyond Women’s Sports top 10 goals of the early 2021 season.
10 – Crystal Dunn v. Gotham FC – May 30
The first came in a rematch of the 2021 Challenge Cup final. Portland Thorns won 1-0 in a defensive showcase, something that Gotham FC is used to in 2021. The talk of the match was a goal by US international Crystal Dunn. In the 56th minute, Dunn received a pass at the top of the penalty area, with two Gotham midfielders closing in. Dunn launched a shot into the top left corner of the net, putting Portland back into form after losing the prior two matches.
9 – Megan Rapinoe v. Portland Thorns – May 23
Megan Rapinoe has the only free kick goal in the top 10. Down 1-0 early to rival Portland, the World Cup champion shot from the set-piece, just outside of the penalty area. Her attempt got under a diving Adrianna Franch to tie the match, with a game-winner by OL Reign just minutes later. This goal prompted a celebration in front of the Rose City Riveters, and a great Rapinoe response in the post-match press conference.
“They have one big problem, though. It’s that they love me, so it’s really difficult for them to cheer against me,” said Rapinoe. “So when I scored, I had to go right over and talk my shit.”
It was Rapinoe’s first NWSL league goal since July 11, 2018.
8 – Ashley Hatch v. Orlando Pride – May 16
Already in 2021, Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride have battled to two 1-1 draws. Spirit forward Ashley Hatch timed and placed a header perfectly off a cross from midfielder Tori Huster in their opening match of the regular season. The header at the near post went in front of the face of goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris into the left netting. Orlando would tie the match eight minutes later, very similar to Sunday when Orlando equalized soon after a Spirit go-ahead goal.
Check the honorable mentions, after this list, for a second Hatch headed goal.
7 – Mallory Pugh v. Houston Dash – May 29
Chicago Red Stars’ forward Mallory Pugh has seen a resurgence in the early weeks of the NWSL regular season. She’s contributed to three of Chicago’s four goals, with two assists against Kansas City NWSL and the next goal in the top 10. It took only four minutes against the Houston Dash for Pugh to score her first regular-season goal in 2021. Instead of passing off to a teammate, she took matters into her own hands. After losing a Dash defender, she shot through a sea of orange and white jerseys.
Chicago ended up losing 2-1, but if Pugh continues to stay healthy, there are more like this ready to be scored.
6 – Midge Purce v. Houston Dash – May 15
The next goal is also the first regular-season goal of 2021. US international Midge Purce had a tight window to shoot and score. On a counter, forward Evelyne Viens found Purce on the right flank. As the forward/fullback Purce moved towards the end line, she fired to the side of US teammate, and Houston Dash goalkeeper, Jane Campbell. It was the only goal Gotham needed that day because the former Sky Blue has only given up one goal all season.
5 – Hailie Mace v. Racing Louisville FC – May 28
The first goal of the top 10’s top half is not here because of the gravity of the situation. When midfield substitute Hailie Mace scored this beauty of a mid-air shot, the NC Courage were already up 4-0. This is on here purely because of the form. With a kind of scissor kicking motion, Mace gave the expansion side Racing Louisville FC more tape to watch in practice and added a goal to her own personal highlight reel.
4 – Nichelle Prince v. Chicago Red Stars – May 29
In the same matchup where Pugh got herself on the top 10, Nichelle Prince one-upped her. It only took one step to separate the winger from Chicago defender Sarah Gorden. Once she has the smallest of space, she lobbed in a ball that surprised even World Cup-winning goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. She tied the match for Houston in the 18th minute, before the eventual 2-1 victory.
3 – Christine Sinclair v. OL Reign – May 23
Before Rapinoe’s free kick goal in front of her adoring Portland fans, legendary goal scorer Christine Sinclair showed off. Sinclair also showed the world why she’s scored the most international goals of any human being ever. OL Reign goalkeeper Karen Bardsley made a punching save that sent the ball flying. Sinclair sent back a punch of her own. The Thorns forward didn’t let the ball touch the ground, volleying a shot over the head of a Bardsley that was racing back to position. It was too late, and Portland had a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. They’d eventually lose 2-1.
2 – Alex Morgan v. Portland Thorns – May 26
Orlando and forward Alex Morgan are playing in a form not seen by Orlando supporters in a long time. Going into the international break, they’re first in the league and Morgan leads the way in goals with four. Her goal against the current number two, Portland, is by far her best. It’s also number two in the top 10.
Morgan set the goal up by passing to fellow forward Taylor Kornieck. What followed was a perfectly timed run by Morgan, with an equally perfect pass over the Portland defense. Like Sinclair in the previous spot on our list, Morgan volleyed in a rocket to the right netting. It was Orlando’s first of two in a victory over the Thorns.
1 – Emina Ekic v. Washington Spirit – May 21
Racing Louisville FC has had a rough go in their final two matches before the break, losing two matches with a combined score of 8-0. Before that match though, a hometown rookie lit up Lynn Family Stadium. Louisville’s Emina Ekic received the ball off a deflection. Initially, Washington called for a handball, but Ekic’s arm was in a natural position. What she did next is why it’s at number one in the top 10.
Ekic made a slightly too strong of a touch to lose the Spirit defense, as she ran after the ball, she let a shot rip as she was falling to the ground. In a combination of power and movement, the ball made it just onto the right side of the post, as teammates and the defense looked on. Only goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe moved, and her dive wasn’t going to stop the top corner shot from giving Racing their first win in franchise history.
Honorable Mentions
Other goals made their mark but just missed the top 10. Orlando forward Sydney Leroux hit not one, but two goals off stellar pressure on the opposing defense. Spirit’s Hatch scored another headed goal too, this time to put a 10-player Washington side up against Houston in a 2-1 victory. Kansas City’s Taylor Leach also made Houston suffer against a side with just 10-players, when her headed goal earned Kansas City a point on the road.
These are just 14 of a slew of goals scored in the 2021 regular season, so far. Which goal did we miss? Are there goals rate too high or too low in the top 10? Let us know in the comments below or share your thoughts on our Twitter page.
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