FootyPop: Barbra Banda Scores Her Tenth Goal in Ten Games
This week was jam-packed with NWSL matches! Though there was no lack of action or excitement in the games, it didn’t alter the NWSL standings. From record-breaking goals to scintillating assists to some rookie stoppage time magic, this week in the NWSL did not disappoint. Without further ado, let’s recap some of the week’s top women’s soccer news.
High of the Weekend
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Barbra Banda now has ten goals in ten games, which is an NWSL record. The 24-year-old Zambian international signed with Orlando ahead of the 2024 season but didn’t appear in the first few games. She wasted no time catching up to speed in the Golden Boot race and is currently tied with Sophia Smith.
Low of the Weekend
Casey Stoney criticized the NWSL for the scheduling this week after her team played three away matches in the span of a week, ending in Saturday’s match against the Houston Dash in 90-degree heat. She emphasized that the conditions of this scheduling put huge strains on player health and well-being.
News of the Weekend
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The Recap Show with Christen Press and Tobin Heath is back! The podcast interviews past and present soccer players from all different teams and will dive into the Olympics as it starts in July.
Game of the Weekend
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The new SoCal vs. NorCal rivalry is alive and well, and Bay FC bested Angel City 1-0 for the second time this season. It was an electric match, but a beautiful goal from Tess Boade gave Bay the lead.
Assist of the Weekend
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Croix Bethune nabbed her ninth assist of the season, and it seems like it’s inevitable she’ll have a goal contribution during each game! If she reaches ten, she’ll tie Tobin Heath’s record of ten assists in a single season, which she set in 2016.
Team of the Weekend
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The Current looks simply unstoppable at the moment. They took on Portland for the second time this season and came out with a 4-1 win, a higher margin of victory than that first match!
Rookies of the Weekend
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This week, Gotham’s Maycee Bell and Louisville’s Reilyn Turner scored result-changing stoppage time goals! In Gotham’s match against the Wave, Bell scored in the 98th minute to make the score 2-1 in favor of Gotham. Then, Turner got the comeback goal for Racing Louisville in the 97th minute against Seattle to tie the match after Louisville was down to ten players because of a red card in the ninth minute.
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Fav Social Media Post
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Kelley O’Hara’s former team, the Spirit, gave her all the best vibes after the Gotham vs. Washington Spirit match.
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