Top 5 Goals: NWSL and Barclays WSL

With each passing day, women’s soccer is becoming bigger and bigger, with more fans going to games and more people watching on TV than ever before. Between the anticipation of the World Cup this summer and the domestic leagues still in progress, women’s soccer hasn’t been in a better place. The games are exciting, and the quality of goals is on another level; whether it’s an incisive team goal or a solo spectacular, we’ve got you covered. So here’s another edition of Top 5 Goals from the NWSL and Barclays FA WSL. 

5. Pernille Harder – Chelsea

That ball from @laurenjamess22 though 🤌@PernilleMHarder is well and truly back!#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/lkrqOpfOCU

— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 7, 2023

The return of Pernille Harder from a severe injury cannot be understated for Chelsea. While she couldn’t significantly impact the Champions League semifinals, she would come back with a bang in the FA WSL.

Harder’s finish capped off a splendid move, starting with the talented Lauren James, who played a perfect ball to Erin Cuthbert. Cuthbert took on everyone and drove into a dangerous position before setting up Harder in front of goal. Chelsea looks unstoppable when they share the ball in this way, and good luck to the rest of the FA WSL teams as they look to pass Manchester United for the top spot in the league. 

4. Crystal Dunn – Portland Thorns

Everything about this goal is magic🪄

Crystal Dunn gets her second of the night! pic.twitter.com/kjeLT4UVXI

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 7, 2023

The Thorns have not missed a beat this season, and their team chemistry is growing with each appearance Crystal Dunn makes. This goal features some of the best interplay you’ll see at the pro level. Seven quick passes, including a gorgeous backheel from Sophia Smith to set up Meghan Klingenberg in behind, who slid the ball across for Dunn to score.

When the team scores by playing together like this, it means more because more players are directly involved in the move, which involves excellent skill and technique from everyone. 

3. Kerolin – North Carolina Courage

🚀🚀🚀

Kerolin smashes it from distance to restore the lead for North Carolina! pic.twitter.com/6rn894qtxu

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 6, 2023

Kerolin is one of the more fun players in the NWSL because she never stops attacking opposing defenses. Any time she can take on players and run into space, she’s blowing by defenders on her way to the goal.

That’s exactly what happened here; she tries to nutmeg the defender, gets a bit of a lucky bounce but immediately sees a chance to shoot once the opportunity presents itself. The Brazillian exudes confidence, and her long-range effort solidifies that claim. The power and accuracy were enough to overwhelm Bella Bixby, who couldn’t get down in time to keep it out.

With Kerolin running rampant and playing this well, I can see why the Courage might have let Debinha go knowing they have a star in the making like Kerolin. 

2. Olivia Moultrie – Portland Thorns

🚨Olivia Moultrie banger alert🚨

Thorns tie it for the third time this match… if you're not watching on Paramount+, tune in NOW! pic.twitter.com/WDYw0cxpAR

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 7, 2023

Olivia Moultrie is providing great minutes for the Portland Thorns and has been trusted as a starter in recent games. Her steady growth has been a lovely sight, and her play suggests she’s getting more comfortable with the NWSL.

This goal indicates how skilled she is at 17, and the fact that she still has room to grow is incredible. What’s special about her at such a young age is the decisiveness. Once she gets the ball, she knows exactly what she wants to do with it. Two touches to run into the space, then she curled the ball beautifully with her left foot into the far corner.

That’s days of hard work paying off in real-time in the game. Keep following Olivia Moultrie; she’s only going to get better. 

1. Alyssa Thompson – Angel City

An absolute stunner of a goal 😱

Take a bow, Alyssa Thompson. 👏 pic.twitter.com/d5H1GixMQ4

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 8, 2023

Alyssa Thompson’s legend continues to grow with each game. Just when we thought she couldn’t find a way to top herself, she keeps doing it. There’s not much else to say besides this girl is head and shoulders above most of the league already. The only other teenage rookie to make a splash this big was Trinity Rodman.

Thompson somehow beats two defenders on the byline and shoots an impossible shot with an impossible angle. Yet somehow, someway, Thompson gets enough curl on the ball to knick off the post and go in.

This goal was always going to take the top spot this week; no one was going to come close to the young phenom Alyssa Thompson. 

_

GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS