Top 5 Goals: NWSL Regular Season Week 5 & USWNT Summer Series

June 22, 2021
By Rohtas Wadera

Between the USWNT Summer Series and the NWSL regular season, soccer fans around the world have been treated to some magic on the pitch. Whether it’s chipped finishes, a solo spectacular, or an all-around team goal, this list has it all. Without further ado, here are the best women’s soccer goals from the USWNT Summer Series and NWSL Regular Season.

5. Sam Mewis – North Carolina Courage

Snack(s) on this! @sammymewy with the goal and @lynnraenie with the assist to become the @NWSL all-time assist leader! ?

? @nwsl pic.twitter.com/FuLj70liov

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) June 19, 2021

It goes without saying that everyone involved with the Courage, from the organization to fans alike, is thrilled to have Sam Mewis back. Despite not starting the match against the Reign, she came on in the second half and gave her team a huge lift. Not only did she start the move by getting the ball out wide to Lynn Williams, but she scored it as well. Williams did well to get the ball right back to her, and Mewis was ready for a tap-in. It was a beautiful piece of combination play to unlock the Reign’s defense.

4. Christen Press – USWNT

On the mark ?

With that goal, @ChristenPress pushes her ?? career total to 61, breaking a tie with Shannon MacMillan to take sole possession of 9th on the #USWNT all-time scoring charts ? pic.twitter.com/0UjYhvZsHH

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) June 17, 2021

Christen Press was the USWNT’s best player during the Summer Series; look no further than Press winning Player of the Match in all three games as proof. The Nigerians proved to be tough to break down in the final match, but the USWNT struck just before halftime. Kristie Mewis won the header, Carli Lloyd put in a slight touch to direct it to Press, and Press calmly tucked it in the far corner. A nice team goal to help secure a nice win over a solid Nigeria team.

3. Trinity Rodman – Washington Spirit

TRINITY. RODMAN. ?#CHIvWAS | https://t.co/iecT7II54a | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/i01HKvLQb9

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 20, 2021

Trinity Rodman continues to take the league by storm by running past defenses at will. This goal would not have been possible without Andi Sullivan, who picks out an other-worldly pass to Rodman. Then, Rodman showed off her skill with the chest trap to take the ball down with the goal in sight. Still, she had to keep her composure with the keeper to beat, and that’s exactly what she did. Rodman waited for the keeper to make her move and just managed to slide it underneath her for the goal. This is just a glimpse at what Rodman can do, and it’s an exciting prospect.

2. Ebony Salmon – Racing Louisville

OH MY GOODNESS @ebony_salmon ‼️#LOUvHOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/VUSFHX2UUv

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 20, 2021

Ebony Salmon announced herself to NWSL fans in a BIG way in their match against Houston. Within her first minute of coming on as a substitute, Salmon created this special moment with some individual brilliance. After receiving the ball just inside the 18-yard-box, Salmon put the moves on her defender with her back to goal. It almost looked like a Cruyff turn, but she didn’t go behind her back, instead, spinning the other way. Once Salmon had the space, all that was left was the finish, and it was a game-winner as well. Louisville will be thrilled to have Ebony Salmon along with their second win of the season.

1. Jessica Fishlock – OL Reign

Jess goes fishing, and catches a big one ?#NCvRGN | https://t.co/vmDqcK3jfH | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/r2RU9zI4iG

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 19, 2021

Jess Fishlock is simply timeless. In spite of major knee surgery towards the latter stages of her career, the Welsh international continues to play at a high level. This chip is audacious, to say the least. Few players have the technical ability that Fishlock has. Casey Murphy came a little too far off of her line, but still, there wasn’t a whole lot of room for Fishlock to work with. Most players have a little space to execute the strike because they are usually in a non-threatening position. Fishlock scored this with two defenders nearby, which made it even more difficult to pull off. However, her concentration and skill are on another level. Please never leave us, Jess Fishlock; the NWSL needs you.