Top 5 Goals: NWSL Regular Season Week 15

This season of the NWSL has been incredible. With so much parity, there’s no guessing who will win on any given day. Not only have the results been crazy, but the goals have been too. As the season goes on, more players will start to get in a rhythm and produce more magic like this. Let’s take a closer look at the best women’s soccer goals from the NWSL. 

5. Carli Lloyd – Gotham FC

She ain't done yet and we ain't done yet ?#PORvNJNY | https://t.co/bONPZnnmCJ | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/PfUhY6GKXt

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 26, 2021

Carli Lloyd surely plans to squeeze every last drop of playing time she has left in the NWSL with her retirement imminent. Caprice Dydasco put in a perfectly flighted ball that curled into the box, and Lloyd attacked it with the defender draped all over her. The header was emphatic, gotta give credit to Lloyd for generating that much power with the header from a position like that. 

4. Cece Kizer – Racing Louisville 

You got to Cece this one ?#KCvLOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/BXKBf82KuE

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 26, 2021

This was a great team goal from Louisville that was finished off brilliantly by Cece Kizer. The move started from Louisville’s 18-yard-box, and with some nice, patient passing, made it past Kansas City’s entire team. When it came time for the finish, Kizer still had a lot to do. Most would try to go across the keeper to the far post, but Kizer somehow squeezed it in on the near post with a clean, powerful strike. Louisville continues to surpass expectations in the NWSL this season. 

3. Kristen Hamilton – Kansas City

That new KConnection ⚽️?#KCvLOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/mSD09HbYMk

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 26, 2021

Kristen Hamilton was a huge addition for Kansas City, and she didn’t take long to open her goal-scoring account for her new team. Watch how K-Ham perfectly timed her run to beat the entire Louisville backline near midfield. What’s interesting is Michelle Betos was way off her line expecting Louisville to keep possession. However, Kansas City struck so fast Betos decided to run back towards her goal to be ready for the one-on-one opportunity. Hamilton did not give her that chance. She shot the ball early while Betos was backpedaling, and the accuracy and power were genius. K-Ham made that goal from that distance look a lot easier than it was.  

2. Angela Salem – Portland Thorns

If you look up the definition of tekkers, you'll see this goal from @asalem6 ?#RGNvPOR | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/Gdr87vIZPH

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 30, 2021

Angela Salem is criminally underrated when it comes to quality midfielders in the NWSL. But, goals like these will hopefully change people’s minds. First, notice how Salem is placed at the top of the box strategically during the free-kick. Salem is there to clean up any ball that comes back out because she didn’t run into the box when Meghan Klingenberg initially puts the cross in. Instead, she’s in the right place at the right time, waiting for the ball. Now, the finish, on the other hand, is pure improvisation combined with great technique. Salem strikes it with the outside of her foot right on the laces, and the ball drops right into the far corner. This was a picture-perfect goal from Angela Salem. 

1. Erika Tymrak – Orlando Pride

SCHROSS ALERT, but we know @eTYMrak meant it ?#NJNYvORL | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/aWSi0aA74y

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 29, 2021

In women’s soccer, there have been many instances where a goal is scored from the wing, and no one can tell whether it’s a shot or a cross. At first, it seemed like Erika Tymrak’s goal fell under that category. However, after looking closer, check out how Tymrak picks her head up and quickly sets her feet before striking. The former 2013 NWSL Rookie of the Year showcased her skill in a big way. That’s world-class quality to stick that ball in the top corner from that position like it’s no big deal. Tymrak, back in her home state, is clearly doing wonders for her career resurgence. 

_

GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS