Top 5 Goals: NWSL Opening Weekend

March 19, 2024
By Rohtas Wadera

The NWSL came back with a bang over the weekend, and the goals were coming in nonstop. 23 total goals this weekend could signal a huge change in the NWSL. It’s been a defensive-minded league for so long, and the more goals we see, the more casual fans will tune in to see some extra scoring. Let’s hope this is the start of plenty of goals this season. Here are the top five goals from the NWSL Matchday 1.

5. Asisat Oshoala – Bay FC

HISTORY. THE FIRST EVER #BayFC Goal.@AsisatOshoala | #LAvBAY #BLegendary #WeCameToPlay pic.twitter.com/5ijS090zu1

— Bay Football Club (@wearebayfc) March 18, 2024

Bay FC came in and made a splash early, defeating Angel City 1-0 at BMO Stadium. Asisat Oshoala lived up to the hype with her ruthless finishing. All it took was one quick mistake, and the ball was in the back of the net. Oshoala is not the kind of player you can afford to make mistakes around, as seen in this play.

As soon as she lined the shot up, a former Barcelona player wasn’t going to have any issues finishing this. That’s the kind of finishing that the NWSL has lacked; all it took was one chance, and Asisat Oshoala has her first NWSL goal. This will surely be the first of many.

4. Ally Schlegel – Chicago Red Stars

An absolutely brilliant touch by Ally Schlegel!

Chicago takes the lead 1-0 on @IONNWSL! pic.twitter.com/N2NnQKnmoQ

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 17, 2024

The Chicago Red Stars have to be thrilled at the progress of Ally Schlegel and what she brings to the table. When the ball is in and around the box, Schlegel has proven in a short time that’s she capable of taking her chances. This is the header of a seasoned pro; it takes another level of ingenuity to see the flight of the ball, adjust in midair, and guide the ball over the keeper when it’s coming straight in at you with pace. Schlegel did incredibly well to head this ball over the keeper, and it’s definitely a sign of what’s to come from the young striker.

3. Alex Pfeiffer – Kansas City Current

Another bit of history today ✍️

Alex Pfeiffer becomes the youngest goalscorer in league history at 16 years, 4 months! pic.twitter.com/XgjQmumn7t

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 16, 2024

The NWSL is getting younger and younger and the teenagers aren’t just here to sit on the bench, they’re here to make an impact right away. Alex Pfeiffer became the youngest player to score in NWSL history at 16 years and four months. Based on this finish, would you ever have guessed she’s 16!?

The ball popped up to her favorably in the box, but she already had the reaction time, vision, and finishing to see where she wanted to shoot and score. The league is in such good hands when a player like Alex Pfeiffer is going this at this age.

2. Elexa Bahr – Racing Louisville

Tasty little chip 😋

Elexa Bahr, take a bow! pic.twitter.com/D5GIRsSmgq

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 16, 2024

Racing Louisville has had a great record at Lynn Family Stadium, and they continued that in their opener against the Orlando Pride. Their top draft pick, Reilyn Turner, comes in with a lot of hype, and she lived up to it in the first game of the season. Turner is a striker, but notice where she is on the pitch when making this pass. She’s showing that she can do more than just play up top and hold the ball up. She’s a playmaker.

Her pass through to Elexa Bahr is inch-perfect and allowed for Bahr to set up the finish. Bahr also had a lot to do but managed to chip the keeper beautifully. If you’re Bev Yanez, this first game went exactly as planned.

1. Janine Beckie – Portland Thorns

JANINE BECKIE WITH AN ABSOLUTE GOLAZO 😱

A brace in her first game back from injury 👏 pic.twitter.com/cBsvPiZrkk

— ESPN (@espn) March 16, 2024

Janine Beckie refused to let Portland go away quietly against the Kansas City Current in spite of being down 5-1 at one point. Sophia Smith was also crucial in cutting into Kansas City’s lead, but Beckie would bring them back to 5-4 with this stunning strike. The Canadian international won multiple trophies at Manchester City and is looking to do the same with Portland.

Her quality is elite for the NWSL and her technique on the goal is proof of that. Watch how the ball dips and swerves in mid-air. This is as clean of a strike as you’ll see all season, and we saw it in the first week. Janine Beckie is going to be a key piece for Portland this season.