FootyPop: Sophia Smith Becomes Youngest and Fastest Player to Reach 40 Goals

May 13, 2024
By Hannah Cantrell

Another week of action in the NWSL, including a slate of midweek matchups and action over Mother’s Day weekend. Plus, a surprising departure in the WSL and more. Check out this week’s women’s soccer news!

High of the Weekend

You can't write a more poetic story than this omg

Paige Nielsen scores the GAME WINNER at the end of stoppage time against her former team that she just got traded from 🤯pic.twitter.com/WcOaCEomkf

— Maggie 🌷 (@maggiemyan) May 13, 2024

Paige Nielsen came up HUGE for the Houston Dash against her former club, Angel City. In the last play of the game, a Dash corner kick came flying in, and Nielsen connected with it perfectly to send it past ACFC’s goalkeeper and into the back of the net. After she scored, she ran over to her teammates and celebrated.

Nielsen was traded by Angel City to the Dash right before the trade deadline in April, and it came as a huge shock to fans, players, and even Nielsen and her family. Angel City caught a lot of heat for the trade, so to see Nielsen return to her former club’s stadium and score the last-minute game-winner was something special.

Low of the Weekend

Luis Rubiales will stand trial for alleged sexual assault and coercion.

Former head coach Jorge Vilda and others will also stand trial over alleged coercion following the events at the at the 2023 World Cup final.https://t.co/qJ6AQe64Ri

— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) May 9, 2024

The unfortunate saga continues, but this time, there’s some positive news. Luis Rubiales will go on trial for alleged sexual assault, when he kissed Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup win, and for alleged coercion that he used after the incident.

News of the Weekend

VIV MIEDEMA TO LEAVE ARSENAL THIS SUMMER 🥹

In an emotional farewell video, the legendary Dutch striker and all time WSL top scorer announced she would be leaving the club at the end of her contract this summer after 7 seasons. ❤️pic.twitter.com/zzuyUgtMjk

— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) May 13, 2024

Vivianne Miedema is set to leave Arsenal this summer after seven seasons with the club. Miedema is widely regarded as one of the best players in the WSL and even in Europe. In her 105 appearances for Arsenal, she scored 79 goals.

However, she recently suffered an ACL tear and only returned to the pitch last year. Some are speculating that Arsenal didn’t re-sign her because she hasn’t instantly returned to her goal-scoring ways. Multiple sources told ESPN that Manchester City will likely be her next club.

Game of the Weekend

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Portland Thorns beat Seattle 4-0 in the Cascadia rivalry, one of the biggest, if not the biggest, rivalries in the NWSL. The match was only 1-0 at halftime, with a goal from Olivia Moultrie, but Seattle slid in the second half, ultimately losing 4-0.

Sophia Smith was the star of the match, picking up three assists and scoring a goal.

Save of the Weekend

Doing what defenders do best. @kellihubly’s incredible goal line clearance is tonight’s MiraFlora Recovery Play of the Match! 😳🙌 pic.twitter.com/FElf5F2FuP

— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) May 12, 2024

Kelli Hubly came in clutch for the Thorns on this play. She puts her body on the line in the exact right position to stop Balcer’s power header from going into the goal

Goal of the Weekend

WATCH THIS GOAL 😍😱

Dictionary definition top bins from Cameron Tucker to pull one back for Utah in Chicago. 🚀🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZntTsB809I

— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) May 12, 2024

The goal from Cameron Tucker is an absolute top-bins banger! Plus, it was her first professional goal.

Player of the Weekend

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Sophia Smith made it to 40 goals, the youngest and the fastest to ever do so. She’s been on fire this NWSL season, and she’s sure to break a couple more records in the future.