Top 5 Goals: NWSL Regular Season Week 6

June 29, 2021
By Rohtas Wadera

The NWSL schedule was not very forgiving for many teams across the league, but the silver lining is more soccer for fans to enjoy. This past week saw an explosion of goals, with 19 scored in eight games. With plenty of great moments to choose from, here are the top women’s soccer goals from Week 6 of the NWSL regular season.

5. Trinity Rodman – Washington Spirit

ICE IN @trinity_rodman's VEINS ❄️#KCvWAS | https://t.co/iecT7II54a | #NWSLSuperSaturday pic.twitter.com/Z7hWnjd0K6

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 27, 2021

The legend that is Trinity Rodman continues to grow with each passing week. Not only was she involved in the first goal to tie the game, but she then stuck the dagger in KC by finishing them off late. When Rodman controls the ball, most players might’ve tried to take the shot on. Not Rodman. She took an extra touch to cut the ball back, embarrass the defender and create a new angle for a better shot. Going with a weaker foot finish shows just how ready she is to contribute right away—a game-winner and surely the first of many for Trinity Rodman.

4. Sydney Leroux – Orlando Pride

Stop that, @sydneyleroux ??#KCvORL | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/Hq655gkxpP

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 23, 2021

Sydney Leroux is back with a vengeance this season and already has four goals to her name. Team Mom (Leroux, Morgan, Harris, Kreiger) in Orlando is looking really dangerous despite losing their first game to Houston recently. Leroux turned back the clock with this vintage effort. Taking on defenders with no fear, she dipped inside and unleashed a laser beam that flew into the far corner, a beautiful goal from a player who is starting to reclaim her prior form.

3. Shirley Cruz – OL Reign

.@OLReign cruisin' early ?#RGNvCHI | https://t.co/nsck1gS0i8 | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/r1JmtzKrED

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 23, 2021

The Reign blitzed the Red Stars with their attack right from the opening whistle. In fact, Shirley Cruz scored one of the fastest goals in NWSL history, just inside of a minute. No one could’ve expected a one-time volley from just outside the box on a deflected ball. Yet, Shirley Cruz is one of the best players Costa Rica has to offer and showed her technique with the strike. Watch how she keeps her knee over the ball, she’s not leaning back, and she puts her laces through it. The goal was a thing of beauty and a much-needed win for Reign at home.

2. Ashley Sanchez – Washington Spirit

That's 10/10 ?#KCvWAS | https://t.co/iecT7II54a | #NWSLSuperSaturday pic.twitter.com/zS3ZHNXzAf

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 27, 2021

For 75 minutes, it really looked as if the Washington Spirit were not going to come close to scoring. Yes, they created chances, but Kansas City did a great job of shutting them down. That was until the Spirit’s three best players combined to shift the momentum in an instant. The long ball from Andi Sullivan is sublime to pick out Trinity Rodman from almost midfield. Rodman’s chest trap is also amazing, and with two defenders draped on her, she manages to just touch it over to Sanchez. Sanchez then kept her composure, took one touch to beat the overcommitting defender, and then another touch to tuck it past the keeper. It was an incredible sequence and just a glimpse of what the Spirit can do at their best.

1. Marta – Orlando Pride

Here's the view we needed of this phenomenal banger from Marta ??#KCvORL #NWSL pic.twitter.com/QkolbJs93T

— Jane T-R (@DocJTav) June 23, 2021

Marta continues to show the world that age is just a number. Year after year, she comes back to Orlando and plays her heart out for the organization. That’s why when she creates moments of magic like this one, they’re especially enjoyable. Abby Smith is not the tallest keeper as it is, and with Smith off of her line, it gave Marta the perfect opportunity to go for the long-distance chip. What’s more impressive is the speed at which Marta was running before shooting. Normally with a chip from midfield, the player has all the time in the world, or it’s a dead ball situation. In this case, Marta is running away from the defender and takes the shot in one fluid motion. This goal was a piece of greatness from Brazilian legend Marta.