Top 5 Goals: NWSL Matchday 13

The NWSL regular season continues to heat up both literally and figuratively as we enter mid-August. While some of the European NWSL stars are still returning from the Euros, the rest of the league is going strong with plenty of goals around the league. Younger names are stepping up and making a name for themselves, while some of the usual superstars are crushing it in front of the goal as well. Let’s take a closer look at the best women’s soccer goals from the NWSL Matchday 13.

5. Sophia Smith – Portland Thorns

So, so special from @sophsssmith 😱@ThornsFC jumps in front inside eight minutes!#PORvNC | #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/3g5AlRvmF4

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 6, 2022

The MVP talk surrounding Sophia Smith will only grow as she continues to score goals for Portland. The striker has improved exponentially, but this goal reminded me of her days at Stanford.

Smith runs at any defense even when outnumbered. There are three defenders in the vicinity, which doesn’t deter her from going for it. There’s another level of self-belief required to score a goal like this, and because she was that brave, Smith also got a little bit of luck.

Watch as she dribbles through multiple defenders and gets lucky in the sense that the defender got a touch to the ball, but it fell right back into Smith’s path when the ball could’ve gone anywhere. At that point, everyone knew Smith would take her chance, and she did with ease. Can anyone stop Sophia Smith this season? 

4. Diana Ordoñez – North Carolina Courage

MAKE IT 2️⃣ FOR ORDOÑEZ!

The visitors are level thanks to a near unstoppable effort!#PORvNC | #CourageUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/VPGnhJvhT1

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 6, 2022

It took about half of the season for Diana Ordoñez to get her opportunity, and she hasn’t looked back since starting up front for North Carolina. We mentioned after the draft how good of a move this could be, and Ordoñez is paying her team back in a big way.

The striker netted a brace against Washington, and this goal was emphatic. There’s technique required to head the ball back from where it came, but there’s also the tenacity and desire to attack this ball in the air.

The keeper had no chance of keeping the ball out from the moment it left the head of Ordoñez–that’s a true striker’s goal, and we’re going to see many more for Diana Ordoñez as her career progresses. 

3. Megan Rapinoe – OL Reign

.@mPinoe nets her first of the year and it's a beaut!@OLReign | #BoldTogether pic.twitter.com/NlZIPepLhZ

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 7, 2022

It might’ve taken longer than expected for a player of her quality to score her first of the season, but Megan Rapinoe’s NWSL account is officially open this season after this goal.

Age is only a number; mastery of technique is something that stays with you forever. That’s what allows Megan Rapinoe to continue to play. Her technique will always be amongst the best in the world.

The angle to shoot isn’t a great one, and the keeper has most of the goal covered. But that doesn’t stop Pinoe from going for the half-volley strike, and she puts it in the only place where the shot can’t be saved, right into the side netting for a perfect finish. That’s how it’s done from one of the best to ever do it.  

2. Hailie Mace – Kansas City Current

A beauty from @hailiemace to double the lead!@kccurrent | #TealRising pic.twitter.com/J78uIIUPri

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 7, 2022

Hailie Mace continues to show how dangerous she can be from the back if no one is willing to pressure her. Mace was an attacker at UCLA, and she’s proven on more than one occasion she can score at the pro level too.

This is the kind of goal every defender dreams of scoring. No one steps up to pressure the ball. Mace takes her space, makes a couple of defenders miss, and then casually and calmly bends it into the far corner. Defenders want to have the chance to show their quality, too. Goals like that definitely highlight that statement. 

1. Ali Riley – Angel City FC

What a hit, @RileyThree!@weareangelcity | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/uMyxASqhqv

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 7, 2022

Speaking of defenders showing off their quality, Ali Riley showed that she could score some firecrackers as well. Riley had only scored five times before in her club career, and goal number six is one to playback for the highlight reel.

Similar to Megan Rapinoe’s goal, there’s hardly any angle to go for the far corner unless it’s hit with power and accuracy. Well, Riley aimed and literally smashed this into the top corner. There was no doubt where the ball was headed from the moment it left her foot.

While Christen Press is out, Riley has and will continue to be the leader and captain this team needs. She has the ability to lead by example in more ways than one. 

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