Top 5 Goals: NWSL Regular Season Week 1 and UWCL Final

After a quick turnaround from the Challenge Cup, the NWSL regular season kicked off a week later. This week’s list features some players who haven’t gotten on the scoresheet in quite some time. It’s an encouraging sign for all of these players this season as they look to get into fine form. On top of that, the UWCL Final had some great goals, with Barcelona sticking it to Chelsea. Here are the top women’s soccer goals of the week from the NWSL and UWCL final. 

5. Sophia Smith – Portland Thorns

It's @sophsssmith's world, we're just living in it 👏#PORvCHI | https://t.co/iecT7II54a | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/UU0IcJfs6o

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 16, 2021

After struggling to finish in the Challenge Cup final, Sophia Smith did more than enough to make up for it against the Red Stars in the season opener. The move started with AD Franch, who launched a goal kick to midfield, where Lindsey Horan won the ball in the air first. It came down to Morgan Weaver, who was more than ready to make a nice pass through to Smith. It took 11 seconds for the ball to go from one end of the pitch to the other. This quick-strike attack for Portland is going to give everyone fits this season. 

4. Ashley Hatch – Washington Spirit

Hatch header, @WashSpirit lead ⚽️#ORLvWAS | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/EiUjJgdju5

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 16, 2021

Ashley Hatch is a key player for the Spirit, and when she’s scoring goals, Washington is very tough to beat. This was a nice team goal that initially started with Ashley Sanchez getting the ball out wide nicely to Tori Huster. Huster provided the perfect cross for Hatch to rise up and attack. This emphatic and powerful header was followed up by an equally emphatic scream from Hatch and her teammates. This goal meant a lot to them. Hopefully, Hatch can add a couple more this season. 

3. Midge Purce – Gotham FC

Midge Purce with the first goal of the @NWSL regular season 💥

A dream start for @GothamFC! pic.twitter.com/VxByADOC9I

— CBS Sports Soccer (@CBSSportsSoccer) May 15, 2021

It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t like watching Midge Purce play. When Purce scores, she usually does it in style. This goal was no different. It seemed like the defender was close enough to her initially, but a quick jab step and dip of the shoulder was all Purce needed to create space for the shot. Even so, the angle to score was still a difficult one. It simply didn’t matter to Purce, who fired it past Jane Campbell with power and accuracy for the first goal of the 2021 NWSL season.

2. Alex Morgan – Orlando Pride

You know who it is 💥@alexmorgan13 is baaaaack ⚽️#ORLvWAS | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/6NRuVCSP1M

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 16, 2021

Alex Morgan’s first goal for Orlando since 2018 couldn’t have come at a better time for the Pride. They were trailing with less than 10 minutes to go, and the superstar provided the extra bit of quality they needed at the moment. It’s also a great sign to see her running in behind the defense by a wide margin – that’s the Alex Morgan we’re used to seeing. While Aubrey Bledsoe did get a hand to it, Morgan got enough on her chip to beat her. A great moment to see in their first game of the season.

1. Aitana Bonmati – FC Barcelona

Barcelona in the 2019 #UWCL final: Trailed Lyon 3-0 after 19 minutes.

Today vs. Chelsea: Up 3-0 after 20 😳

(via @UCLonCBSSports)pic.twitter.com/wvD5ozwgL0

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 16, 2021

This goal is Barcelona at its finest. After blitzing Chelsea for a 2-0 lead, they quickly landed their 3rd goal inside the first 20 minutes. The players’ movement and one-touch passing to create this opportunity are truly something special. Jenni Hermoso played it out to Alexia Putellas, who somehow played a perfectly weighted through ball to Aitana Bonmati while off balance. That pass is everything, but Bonmati did just as well to keep her composure and slot the ball past the keeper. Barcelona became the first Spanish team to lift the UWCL trophy, and it was very well deserved. 

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