Top 5 Goals: NWSL Matchweek 6 & FA WSL

As the women’s soccer world continues to expand and improve, the quality of play continues to improve. The international imports have forced everyone in the NWSL to kick it up a notch, and we’re seeing more goals than ever in the league. Plus, the FA WSL is nearly wrapping up its season, with teams at their best while jostling for position in the table. Here are the top five goals from NWSL Matchweek 6 and the FA WSL. 

5. Jaedyn Shaw – San Diego Wave

JAE ALL DAY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5FWnJRjiLt

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) April 28, 2024

This is one of the best team goals you’ll see all season in any league. Jaedyn Shaw started and finished the move with six passes connected before the ball was returned to Shaw in the box. The desire and knowledge to make that run while being far behind the rest of the field shows Shaw’s determination. She outworked everyone to that spot in the middle of the box while the rest of the team moved the ball through Bay FC’s defense like butter. The Wave is always going to be a tough team to beat when Jaedyn Shaw is in good form. 

4. Makenzy Doniak – San Diego Wave

MAK ATTACK NO STOPPING THAT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/c1JldjEKta

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) April 28, 2024

Makenzy Doniak has always found a way to make an impact for the Wave; she’s a testament to what it means to be a professional soccer player. She’s not a household name, and people outside of San Diego might not know who she is, but she’s constantly gotten better at scoring critical goals for the Wave.

This is a high-level finish with tremendous footwork. Doniak quickly burst away from two defenders with her quick feet while managing to open up for the shot in the same motion. Next thing you know, Lysianne Proulx, Bay FC’s keeper, is picking the ball out of her net after it flew into the top corner.

Doniak is one of the many pieces to San Diego that makes them title contenders. Multiple goal-scoring threats will make them incredibly difficult to defend. 

3. Ouleymata Sarr – Washington Spirit

The sauce on this chip & dip goal 🧑‍🍳🤌 pic.twitter.com/L8IeFmvtx5

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) April 27, 2024

Ouleymata Sarr was one of the better finds over the summer for the Washington Spirit. She’s a nationally capped player with France, who was a consistent scorer in D1 Arkema for years, netting 45 league goals with four different teams.

Sarr showcased her ability in total, with this being her second goal for the Washington Spirit. Sarr executed the chip from right on the 18-yard mark at the top of the box, making it a far more difficult chip because of less room to have the ball come down after being up in the air. The ball has to be chipped perfectly; otherwise, the keeper gets a hand to it, or it goes over the crossbar. It’s a sublime and audacious chip from Sarr, one you can enjoy watching the replay of over and over again.  

2. Vanessa DiBernardo – Kansas City Current

BEAUTIFUL STRIKE FOR THE EQUALIZER 🚀@vdibernardo10 is HER.@NWSL | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/APl4BzvCNr

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) April 27, 2024

Vanessa DiBernardo has been a mainstay of the NWSL and one of the all-time best players in the league’s history. You’ll find very few midfielders who are as consistent and reliable as she is. Whether you need her to pass, score, or defend, she can do it all and run box to box.

Please take a closer look at her technique before she lets this shot rip. The knee is over the ball; the follow-through is there, and while she’s fading away a little, the ball still arrowed into the top corner perfectly.

Kansas City is coming for the crown this season, and Vanessa DiBernardo will play a significant role for them this season and beyond. 

1. Ella Toone – Manchester United

A magic moment from Toone!#BarclaysWSL @ManUtdWomen pic.twitter.com/N0ZSyhCJnD

— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 29, 2024

Manchester United needed a win to keep Liverpool at bay, and they did so thanks to some late-game heroics from Ella Toone. Lucia Garcia seemed to be open on the back post, but it didn’t matter for Toone, who had her sights set on the goal from the moment she turned with the ball. Toone’s quality and technique are world-class; as soon as the ball left her foot, it was destined for one place: the top corner of the net.

This was the match’s only goal, keeping Manchester United firmly in fourth place. United need to do everything they can to keep Ella Toone; she’s essential for the team’s success. 

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