Top 5 Goals: NWSL Regular Season Week 3

June 2, 2021
By Rohtas Wadera

Week three of NWSL action is in the books, and one thing is clear, we’re going to have a ton of parity this season. Outside of Orlando, everyone seems to be beating each other up, with Kansas City being the only team yet to win a game. With so much competitiveness, the quality of goals was just as spectacular. Here’s an incredible list of the best women’s soccer goals from Week three of the NWSL regular season.

5. Ashley Sanchez – Washington Spirit

? ASHLEY SANCHEZ SCREAMER ?#WASvHOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/xa0OY4YJjj

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 27, 2021

Ashley Sanchez has gotten off to a great start this season for the Spirit, and hopefully, it stays that way the rest of the season. Sanchez surprised everyone by taking this shot early – including Houston keeper Jane Campbell. The ball either had a slight deflection or had some crazy movement causing it to swerve away from Campbell. Shots like these can be hard to judge. In the end, it’s a screamer for Ashley Sanchez.

4. Kealia Watt – Chicago Red Stars

WATT a goal ?#KCvCHI | https://t.co/bONPZnnmCJ | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/6KFs8NoFwU

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 27, 2021

This is a very welcome sight for Chicago Red Stars fans. First, Mallory Pugh basically runs past more than half of Kansas City’s lineup from inside her own half. Then, Pugh sets up Watt, hoping to get it back, but Watt decides to take the shot on instead. Having come close in recent weeks, Watt was finally able to bend one of her trademark curlers into the far corner. A beautiful strike under pressure and one that matches the caliber of a player like Kealia Watt.

3. Crystal Dunn – Portland Thorns

Crystal Dunn banger alert. #NWSL pic.twitter.com/3wpIY0etqE

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) May 30, 2021

Portland and Gotham went toe-to-toe in a Challenge Cup final rematch, and once again, the Thorns bested their counterparts from the East. There wasn’t much between the two sides except for this moment of brilliance from Crystal Dunn. All she needed was one touch to set up the shot before putting her foot through the ball. Dunn made this difficult move look easy. The ball kept rising until it found the back of the net – the keeper had no chance.

2. Alex Morgan – Orlando Pride

TAKE A BOW, @alexmorgan13 ?#ORLvPOR | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/ZtSI0cVcVc

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 26, 2021

The Pride are in first place, and it’s in large part due to Alex Morgan being in spectacular form. As long as they keep feeding her the ball in the right areas, this team will be tough to beat. Taylor Kornieck provided a perfect chip pass over the top for Morgan to run onto. The ball bounced once, and Morgan struck it right on the half-volley. The shot perfectly nestled into the top left corner. Simply unstoppable.

1. Nichelle Prince – Houston Dash

A royal finish from @nichelleprince7 ?#HOUvCHI | https://t.co/bONPZnnmCJ | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/sH6ptuAOIz

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 29, 2021

Nichelle Prince is a key cog in Houston’s attack. When she’s scoring, the Dash become even more difficult to guard because there isn’t just one player to focus on. Prince had just missed a sitter a couple of minutes prior but made up for it with this genius chip. At first, it looks like a cross, but none of the Dash players would’ve been ready for it if it was. Prince catches Naeher slightly off her line, but the execution to complete it is spectacular. This is a beautiful chip shot that fans can enjoy over and over again.