Top 5 Goals: NWSL Matchday 20

It’s been a minute, but we’re back with another exciting edition of Top 5 Goals. The NWSL delivered some incredible moments over the weekend. The league’s stars came out in a big way as each team looks to end the season strong before the playoffs. Here are the Top five Goals from Matchday 20 in the NWSL.

5. Ashley Sanchez – North Carolina Courage

Ashley Sanchez slots it home from an angle! 📐 pic.twitter.com/hwQB3FcIg4

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 13, 2024

Ashley Sanchez became the first player to score against all 14 clubs; that’s quite a feat, considering she has 18 career NWSL goals. She’s been making her goals count against the entire league. Denise O’Sullivan played a nice ball through to Sanchez, who was ruthless in her finish, going across the keeper and into the side netting of the goal. Since her trade to North Carolina, Sanchez appears to be on a mission to get back into the USWNT roster, and she’s done more than enough to justify that this season.

4. Bethany Balcer – Racing Louisville

Bethany Balcer’s first goal in @RacingLouFC purple 💜 pic.twitter.com/PhWUCZDZch

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 15, 2024

Bethany Balcer might have a new team, but one thing remains constant: her ability to score goals. Racing Louisville showed a nice piece of buildup play between Janine Beckie, another new acquisition, and Ary Borges. Borges had the ball in space and played the ball right onto the head of Bethany Balcer, who was about to run into the box. Balcer made a great adjustment as the ball came to her and used the pace of the ball to her advantage. The striker redirected the header across DiDi Haracic for a nice goal to equalize for Racing Louisville. 

3. Janine Beckie – Racing Louisville

Janine Beckie is too cold 🥶 pic.twitter.com/wUG17x1qfM

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 15, 2024

If you’re Racing Louisville, you have to be thrilled that both of the new additions to the team scored in a win in their first game for the club. The Canadian international pounced on a mistake made by DiDi Haracic and went to work on the Angel City defense. First, she easily nutmegged Madison Curry and looked determined to go straight to the goal. Beckie didn’t even look to her left to see who was in the box and went for power on the near post. DiDi Haracic stood no chance trying to stop that shot, which would end up being the game-winner in Lynn Family Stadium.

2. Cloé Lacasse – Utah Royals

Cloé Lacasse with a perfect strike for her first NWSL goal 👏 pic.twitter.com/Wz3YSumGTY

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 15, 2024

Cloé Lacasse recently wrapped up a stint at Arsenal, making her a valuable addition to the Utah Royals. The Royals have had a hard time scoring, but Lacasse was brought in to help, and she did just that over the weekend. After receiving the ball outside the box, she had some work to do, but the Wave backline dared her to shoot from long range. It’s a tough effort to take the shot with her body going away from the goal, but Lacasee made it look easy, and the ball clanged off the post and went in. It’s a welcome sight for the Royals, who did great business by signing a player of Lacasse’s caliber. 

1. Trinity Rodman – Washington Spirit

Don’t sleep on Trinity Rodman right now 😴 pic.twitter.com/6k3MHoPV8C

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 15, 2024

There was only one goal to take the top spot for the Goal of the Week. Trinity Rodman returned from the Olympics and hasn’t missed a beat since. Her trademark ‘Trin Spin’ started the play as she put Elin Rubensson in the spin cycle. Rubensson recovered well and hounded Rodman, trying to push her off the ball, but the superstar showed off her strength and refused to be denied. Rodman managed to find the top corner, with the defender doing everything she could to stop the shot. Most players would’ve fallen over to try and draw a foul. She kept her footing and fired a rocket into the top corner. It’s a sublime finish from a superstar who keeps improving.  

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