More FAWSL, more goals. Here are the top 5 we saw this weekend:

 

5. VIVIANNE MIEDEMA SAYS THANK YOU VERY MUCH

This past weekend was just another day at the office for the all-time top scorer in FAWSL history. In the first three minutes of the match, an errant pass from Manchester City landed the ball at Miedema’s feet in a dangerous area outside the box. The Arsenal striker took a touch inside and cracked a rolling shot to give her team the early lead. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as Man City stormed back to take the 2-1 win.

 

4. SAM KERR CAN’T BE STOPPED

One week after recording her first hat trick for Chelsea, Sam Kerr once again made her presence known early on against Brighton, hitting the back corner pocket with an exceptional header. Jonna Anderson started the play with a pass down the left flank to teammate Pernille Harder, who lofted it into the six. Kerr read the pass perfectly before flicking it safely passed the hands of the Brighton goalkeeper. This 21st-minute, clinical header was Chelsea’s only score of the match, resulting in a 1-0 win.

 

3. NADINE HANSSEN’S STROKE OF BRILLIANCE

Miscommunication between Tottenham teammates led to a flat ball being played to no one in their own defensive half. Seizing the opportunity, Aston Villa’s Nadine Hanssen jumped on the poor pass before catching Tottnham’s goalkeeper off of her line. Hanssen cleverly lobs the ball over the keeper, landing it safely in the back of the net. Regrettably, Hanssen’s goal was the only tally of the match for Aston Villa, as they fell to Tottenham in a 3-1 battle.

 

2. EMILY VAN EGMOND SLICES IT HOME

Emily Van Egmond may have opened the floodgates for West Ham United in their 4-0 defeat of Bristol City, but her goal would not have been possible if it weren’t for the relentless effort of her teammate, Martha Thomas. In slippery conditions, Thomas cut inside the Bristol defender to chase down the ball just before it would have passed out of bounds. She then drove inside and lifted a curling ball to her teammate Van Egmond, who sends the ball back post through the legs of her defender. Simply sublime.

 

1. CAROLINE WEIR PUTS AN END TO THE CHAOS

Manchester City and Arsenal found themselves tied at one apiece as stoppage time began in their nail-biting match. But in the 94th minute, City’s high-press led to a series of shots, none of which Arsenal could successfully clear. One Manchester City shot was rebounded off an Arsenal defender and collected by Georgia Stanway, who winded up a shot that was deflected by her teammate Ellen White. That shot then ricocheted back to Caroline Weir, who finally placed a line-drive shot back post. Weir’s goal was massive as it sealed a 2-1 victory over the now third-place Arsenal.

The international break is officially over, and the FA Women’s Super League has returned. The league’s players showed out in their first weekend back together, and while there were numerous highlights to choose from, these were the best of the best:

 

5. ALEX MORGAN IS #MOMGOALS

Alex Morgan slotted home her first FAWSL goal, and to say we’re excited is an understatement. Tottenham was awarded the penalty after Morgan’s teammate Ria Percival was pushed in the box by a Brighton player while challenging a header. The USWNT star then stepped up to the plate and tucked a low-driven shot into the left bottom corner safely away from the goalkeeper. Morgan’s late goal boosted Tottenham to a 3-1 dub against Brighton, securing the club’s first win of the season.

 

4. ANN-KATRIN BERGER ISSUES A REJECT

Who needs a defense when Ann-Katrin Berger is in goal? Early in the second half, West Ham’s Rachel Daly picks off an errant pass by a Chelsea defender before driving to goal from the halfway line. What looks like a gimmie is stone-walled by Berger, who perfectly reads Daly’s shot, expanding her arms to knock it safely away to a Chelsea danger. It would turn out to be a critical save, as Chelsea barely escaped with a 3-2 win.

 

3. DON’T SLEEP ON SAM KERR

Just when you think it’s been a while since you’ve heard from Sam Kerr, she casually drops a hat trick on a poor league foe. This goal starts with Chelsea’s Ji So-Yun intercepting the ball from a West Ham defender and hitting a pass to her teammate Pernille Harder. On a diagonal, Harder propels toward the goal and shuffles off a ball to Fran Kirby, who is making a run up the flank. Kirby then hits a one-time pass across the face of the goal, where Sam Kerr calmly slides it into the corner of the back post. It was one of three on the day for Kerr, who now has the third-most goals scored in the FAWSL this season.

 

2. TAKE A BOW, JILL ROORD

Warning: This video exhibits a high volume of tiki-taka. A defensive clearance by Birmingham City rolls out to Leonie Maier of Arsenal, who plays a quick pass into Jill Roord. Rood then his a one-touch back to Maier, who slips the ball to Kim Little, who then lays it off to Roord. With minimal space at the top of the box, Roord lobs a shot over the Birmingham goalkeeper, nailing it to the back corner of the net. Roord tallied Arsenal’s second goal of the match, which ended in a 3-0 shutout against Birmingham. She now has the second most goals in the league this year, above Sam Kerr and behind Vivianne Midemia.

 

1. KERYS HARROP ASKS, WHAT ANGLES?

Lesson learned: Do not foul Tottenham anywhere near the box. With a weapon like Kerys Harrop, you’re going to pay. Early in the first half of their match against Brighton, Alex Morgan is fouled just outside of the box. Tottenham’s Harrop lines up for the free-kick and strikes a stunning bender that puts Brighton’s goalkeeper on her heels, tipping the inevitable goal into the back of the net. Harrop’s curveball of a shot lifted Tottenham to a 3-1 victory over Brighton, helping the club pocket its first win of the season.

5. ELLA TOONE TAKES THE THRONE

Late in the second half of a scoreless match, Manchester United’s Lauren James splits two Arsenal defenders to deal a stunning slip ball out wide to her teammate Jessica Sigsworth. Sigsworth displays some serious speed as she fends off her defender and drives into the box, playing a perfectly weighted ball to her teammate, Ella Toone. Toone receives the pass and immediately pulls the trigger, sending her shot into the back of the net. In the blink of an eye, Manchester United is up 1-0, not only beating Arsenal, but taking their spot atop the FAWSL standings.

 

4. JANINE BECKIE: FAST AND FURIOUS

Deep in their defensive half, Ellen White of Manchester City strips the ball from Bristol City, initiating a counter-attack and driving to half field. White then threads the needle between two Bristol City defenders with a leading ball to her teammate Janine Beckie. Beckie takes two touches, cutting in toward goal and setting herself up for a calm and collected finish. Beckie’s goal was Manchester City’s seventh in a record-breaking 8-1 victory over Bristol City. White herself earned her 50th goal of her FAWSL career, scoring twice and handing out two assists.

 

3. SANDY MACLVER: THOU SHALL NOT PASS

Bethany England of Chelsea FC receives the ball off a throw-in from the left flank. England takes a touch inside, splitting her two defenders and smashing a shot from outside the 18 before Everton’s defenders can close on her. The bender carries its momentum, heading towards the upper V before Sandy Maclver reads the wicked shot and punches the ball away from danger. Unfortunately, Maclver’s save was not enough as Everton lost 0-4 against the now third-ranked Chelsea FC.

 

2. ANITA ASANTE: SCORING BUCKETS

Caution: extreme levels of tiki-taka ahead. With the outside of her foot, Aston Villa’s Anita Asante plays a beautiful ball into her teammate, Ramona Petzelberger, who scoops the ball over her defender’s foot. Receiving the ball, teammate Shania Hayles back heels it out wide, finding her teammate Stine Larsen, who is stripped by a Brighton defender. The half clearance rolls back to Asante, who cleverly chips the ball over the crowded box full of defenders to find the back post. Asante gifts Aston Villa their first goal of the match, assisting them in a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

 

1. HARDER HITS ‘EM WITH A LIL’ RAZZLE-DAZZLE

Late in the match, Chelsea’s Melanie Leupolz plays a ball into Pernille Harder, who flexes her skills as she carries inside and cuts around an Everton defender. The 2020 UEFA Player of the Year plays a quick give-and-go, takes a touch, and then lifts her shot into the upper shelf of the back post. In a single play, Harder shows off her quickness, intelligence and power as she maneuvers her way through a sequence of tight spaces before unloading this rocket. Tallying her second goal of the season, Harder lifted Chelsea to a 4-0 shutout against Everton, preserving their undefeated season.

10. NICHELLE PRINCE IS ROYALTY

The Houston Dash’s Sophie Schmidt pings a long-ball from midfield to Nichelle Prince, her fellow Dash and Canadian national team teammate. In a footrace, Prince beats the Orlando Pride defender to the ball, smashing a half-volley over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Prince’s clinical finish gave her team an early lead in a 3-1 victory over Orlando. After winning the Challenge Cup, Houston came in second in the Fall Series thanks to the efforts of Prince and her teammates.

 

9. KUMI YOKOYAMA’S BANGER

A deflected shot sends the ball flying through to the air, landing just outside the box at the feet of Kumi Yokoyama. The Washington Spirit forward tracks the ball down before losing her defender, curling a shot that deflects off the back post and into the net. Yokoyama’s absolutely wicked spin helped Washington walk away with the 1-0 win and a third place finish in the series overall.

 

8. DEBINHA: A CLASS ACT

Another NWSL season comes to a close, and Debinha is still underrated. Here, teammate Meredith Speck reads Orlando’s defense perfectly, stealing the ball and driving toward goal, patiently waiting for Debinha to get into position. The Brazilian superstar takes the beautifully weighted pass on a full-sprint before placing the ball back corner. Debinha’s smooth finish gave the North Carolina Courage a 3-0 lead before a second half comeback from the Orlando Pride ended the match in a 3-3 draw.

 

7. BETHANY BALCER GOT TEKKERS

‘Tis spooky season folks, and OL Reign looked scary good in this play. Steph Cox plays it in to teammate Sofia Huerta, who cheekily dummies the pass, allowing it to run into Bethany Balcer’s tracks. Behind Utah’s defensive line, Balcer hits a beautiful curler into the far post’s side panel, boosting her team to an eventual 2-2 draw with the Royals.

 

6. TZIARRA KING DOESN’T NEED REDBULL

She’s already got wings. The height Utah Royals’ Tziarra King got off this header goal is inhuman. Open on the right flank, Brittany Ratcliffe plays a cross into the box near the six. King flexes her hops, flying far above Reign’s defenders, and heads the ball back into the front post corner. Throughout the Fall Series, the rookie King was a consistent bright spot for Utah. We don’t expect this is the last time we’ll be singing her praises.

 

5. CHRISTINE SINCLAIR: STILL THE GOAT

The Portland Thorns’ Lindsey Horan and Christine Sinclair are the epitome of a dynamic duo. In typical fashion, Horan plays some tiki-taka on the left flank before playing a dangerous diagonal ball back to Sinclair. The Canadian superstar drills the ball into the far corner, putting it completely out of reach of OL Reign’s goalkeeper. Sinclair led the league with six goals in the Fall Series, double the amount of the next highest scorer. What are we supposed to do for the rest of the year if we can’t watch Sinclair dominate the NWSL?

 

4. SHEA GROOM CATCHES AIR

Shea Groom first took flight on a spectacular goal during the Challenge Cup. And surprise, surprise, she did it again. The Houston Dash’s Brianna Visalli jumpstarts the counterattack by winning a critical tackle in her defensive end before slotting the ball ahead to Kristie Mewis, who chips it into the box. Groom comes flying in and heads the ball with major conviction. Groom’s strike helped her finish the Fall Series as the second-leading goal scorer while Mewis was first in assists.

 

3. ECKERSTROM READS FORWARDS LIKE THEIR BOOKS

Portland Thorns’ keeper Britt Eckerstrom was an absolute beast throughout the Fall Series. She led the league in saves, denying what could have been 19 goals while only allowing 3 to get past her all tournament. In the early moments of this match against OL Reign, midfielder Shirley Cruz floats a bomb into the box, finding Bethany Balcer, who heads the ball toward the top-shelf. But Eckerstrom makes an incredible leap to push the ball over the crossbar with her left hand. Needless to say, Eckerstrom played a vital role in helping Portland walk away with the Fall Series Community Shield.

 

2. A STAR IS BORN: SOPHIE SMITH

How could we forget Smith’s brilliant header, which she scored within just three minutes of entering her first professional career match? Meghan Klingenberg of the Portland Thorns initiates the action by picking off a pass before playing a line-drive into the penalty area. Smith connects with the pass, heading it into the far corner for a spectacular start to her NWSL career. The number one draft pick has Portland fans walking away from the Fall Series with a new trophy on their shelves and sky high expectations for the years to come.

 

1. ONE WORD: DEBINHA

The title says it all. Debinha’s goal made SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays for a reason. There’s a chance the net is still smoking after this bullet from the North Carolina midfielder. After receiving the ball back from her teammate Lynn Williams, Debinha turns inside and dummies her defender before immediately lifting her head to smash a shot from outside the 18. The ball carries to the back post upper 90, popping the back of the net. Once again Debinha has left fans wondering if she isn’t, in fact, the most dangerous player in the league.

While there’s still two games to go in the NWSL’s Fall Series, the top two teams have already been decided: Portland is walking away with the Verizon Community Shield and a $25,000 for local business Mimi’s Fresh Tees. The Houston Dash will take second after previously winning the Challenge Cup this summer. Their $15,000 grant will be going to the Houston chapter of the NAACP.

As we look ahead to the final two games this Saturday, here’s a look back at the top plays from the weekend.

 

5. CAN’T STOP, WON’T STOP ONUMONU

The vision shown here by Sarah Woldmoe is what we soccer fans live for. Turning upfield, Woldmoe threads a brilliant ball between the backline of Chicago. Outside forward Paige Monaghan beats her mark in a footrace to the ball, chipping it into the box to teammate Ifeoma Onumonu, who collects it off her waist before sliding it past the keeper. Omumonu’s goal, her third in four games, doubled Sky Blue’s lead, helping the club wrap up its Fall Series with a 3-1 win over the Red Stars.

 

4. SYD LEROUX, WE LOVE YOU

Leroux may be number two on the field, but she’s number one in our hearts. Just at the start of the second half, Orlando plays a quick ball down the line to Abby Elinsky, who hits a one-time cross into the six. Leroux beats her defender to the ball and roofs it over the keepers’ hands, cutting Houston’s lead in half. Leroux’s goal was unfortunately, not quite enough, as Houston walked away with a 2-1 victory over Orlando. But regardless of the outcome, we’re psyched to see Leroux back on the scoreboard.

 

3. BROOKS FLEXES HER REFLEXES

 

2. WAP – WILSON AS PRESIDENT

Brittany Wilson made her NWSL debut this past Friday for the Orlando Pride, and she proved she deserves to play in the big leagues. Sophie Schmidt of Houston Dash receives the ball from a throw-in, takes a touch, and hammers a curling shot into the upper corner near the back post. But reading Schmidt’s shot perfectly, Wilson sticks out her paw and pushes the ball safely out of play. The 23 year old’s epic save kept the Pride in the game, and we have a feeling that’s not the last time we’ll be talking about Wilson making a difference.

 

1. DÉJÀ GROOM

Groom had one of the goals of the Challenge Cup when she climbed the ladder to bury a clutch header into the back of the net. Don’t look now, but she’s done it again. This time we can’t act surprised. Brianna Visalli initiates the action by winning a tackle in her defensive end before dishing the ball ahead to Kristie Mewis. In a full sprint, Mewis catches up to the ball before floating it into the box. Groom heads it with authority, knocking the ball into the back of the corner, reminding everyone why she’s the league’s second leading scorer, and Mewis is first in assists. Groom’s header put Houston on the fast track in their 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride.

October is upon us, and as the leaves continue to turn, so too does the NWSL continue to dish out Fall Series highlights. Here are the top plays from the first weekend of the month.

 

5. MEWIS SLOTS IT HOME

Houston Dash forward Veronica Latsko wins the ball off a pass over the top, shielding the ball from a North Carolina defender before laying it back to teammate Kristie Mewis. Mewis wastes little time in dribbling to goal before snapping the ball into the side panel of the far post. Mewis finished the day with three assists to go along with her score in the Dash’s 4-1 win over the Courage. Hey Coach Andonovski, how about adding another Mewis to the roster?

 

4. ECKERSTROM IS LIGHTS OUT

The Portland Thorns should have warned OL Reign they were shooting on a brick wall. Early on in the match, OL Reign midfielder Shirley Cruz launches a ball into the box, finding her teammate Bethany Balcer, who heads the ball toward the front post. Britt Eckerstrom leaps to attack the shot, lifting the ball over the crossbar. Eckerstrom went on to hold OL Reign to only a single goal, helping her team to a 4-1 victory.

 

3. SINCLAIR: NOTHING BUT CLASS

Lindsey Horan and Christine Sinclair… you can’t name a better duo. In textbook style, Horan receives a quick give-and-go on the flank before dribbling into the box, playing a diagonal ball back to Sinclair. The Canadian legend calmly lasers the ball into the back post corner, scoring one of her three goals on the day. Sinclair’s hat trick helped Portland roll to their 4-1 dub over OL Reign.

 

2. ROCKY THE ROCKET RODRIGUEZ

Try to say that three times fast. Woof. Rocky Rodriguez’s goal is a showstopper as she pockets her first goal as a Portland Thorn since joining the club earlier this year. Portland’s Simone Charley chips a beautiful cross into the box, setting up her teammate, who volleys a rocket near the upper V of the front post. Can we just say that we would have shanked this volley in 10 of 10 tries?

 

1. YOKOYAMA’S SCREAMER

‘Tis spooky season, and Kumi Yokoyama is ripping screamers. In the 50th minute, a booming tackle sends the ball soaring in the air just outside the 18. Yokoyama tracks the ball down before slipping past her defender. She drives to the box, takes a touch to her right-foot, and then sends a curling shot that deflects off the post into the back of the net. Yokoyama’s spectacular goal helped the Washington Spirit sneak away with a 1-0 win over Sky Blue FC.

The NWSL Fall Series resumed this past Saturday, with a trio of games delivering more than a few eye-opening plays. Here are the best of the bunch.

 

5. BOW DOWN TO THE KING

The Utah Royals’ Tziarra King shows off her hops, flying far above Reign’s defenders to head home the cross from teammate Brittany Ratcliffe. King catches some serious air as she knocks the ball back post corner with conviction. Though Utah would race out to a 2-0 lead against OL Reign, they’d ultimately have to settle for a 2-2 draw.

 

4. THOMAS PUTS IT IN SPORT MODE

The Chicago Red Stars make a dangerous mistake, and Crystal Thomas capitalizes. Anticipating the misplay as she sprints ahead of her defender, Thomas touches the ball past the keeper before slicing it into the back of the net. Her goal helped the Washington Spirit earn a 1-1 tie in their match against Chicago.

 

3. THOSE CANADIANS, EH?

The Houston Dash’s Sophie Schmidt pings a through-ball to Nichelle Prince, her fellow Dash and Canadian National team teammate. Prince slips the cracks of Orlando’s defensive line, running onto the flawlessly played ball before calmly chipping the goalkeeper. Prince’s clinical finish gave her team an early lead in a 3-1 victory over Orlando Pride.

 

2. HARRIS’ GOLDEN GLOVE

The Houston Dash’s Kristie Mewis drives to the edge of the 18 before shooting the ball across her body to the back post. Ashlyn Harris makes a diving save, using her fingertips to push the ball just wide of the goal post. Harris’ jaw-dropping save kept Orlando alive in what would ultimately go down as a 3-1 loss to the Challenge Cup champs. We’re not sure what’s better: the actual save or Harris reacting as if it was just another day at the office.

 

1. BEND IT LIKE BALCER

Halloween must have come early this year, because OL Reign is handing out tricks. Steph Cox plays the ball to teammate Sofia Huerta, who cheekily dummies the ball, allowing it to roll behind Utah’s defense and right into Bethany Balcer’s tracks. The 2019 Rookie of the Year runs into the box and places a gorgeous curler into the upper V, bringing OL Reign back into their game against the Utah Royals, which ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw. That’s the kind of goal you dream about as a kid.

The Chicago Red Stars filled up the scoreboard, a Portland Thorns rookie made her long-awaited debut, and the Orlando Pride returned to action in what was a packed weekend for the NWSL. Here’s everything you might have missed:

 

5. VANESSA DIBERNARDO HITS A STUNNER

The Chicago Red Stars’ Kealia Watt mesmerizes her defender before cutting the ball back to the top of the box, finding teammate Vanessa DiBernardo. Bernardo rifles in a shot, nailing the side panel of the far post. Sorry, Sky Blue, no one was going to stop that ball from ending up in the back of the net. DiBernardo helped Chicago pick up the 4-1 win with this absolute banger off the beautiful team build up. *Chef’s kiss*

 

4. ASHLYN HARRIS SAYS ‘NOT TODAY’

We missed seeing Orlando Pride play in the NWSL’s Challenge Cup. We especially missed seeing Ashlyn Harris make these types of saves. North Carolina’s Lauren Millet drives to the box and places a ball behind the defensive line to Debinha, who beats her defender inside to direct the ball back post. But Harris makes a phenomenal save using both foot and hand, stopping one of the league’s top players from the six-yard box in order to hold a shutout and maintain a scoreless draw. We’ve watched this clip so many times and we’re still not sure how she did this.

 

3. KEALIA WATT’S 40-YARD DASH

Kealia Watt flexes some serious speed here, completing a blistering 40-yard dash all while dribbling her way straight to goal. One-on-one with the keeper, Watt confidently pushes the ball into the back of the net, netting her first of two goals on the day. Watt also picked up an assist in Chicago’s 4-1 dismantling of Sky Blue FC. Someone grab a stopwatch and get her and JJ on the starting blocks.

 

2. SIMONE CHARLEY: GIVE HER ALL THE ROSES

The Portland Thorns are famous for giving their team’s goalscorers roses after each game. We think Simone Charley deserves a bouquet after this one. Pulling down the long chip from teammate Lindsey Horan, Charley turns inside to lose her defender. She drives to goal, slipping in between two Utah Royals players before stuffing it into the near post. Charley’s goal opened the floodgates in Portland’s 3-0 win over the Royals, all while earning the postgame approval of her teammate Meghan Klingenberg.

 

1. WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE, SOPHIA SMITH

The No. 1 pick in the 2020 NWSL draft, Sophia Smith is all business as she scores a beautiful header just minutes into her professional career. Meghan Klingenberg intercepts a pass near the corner flag, turns inside, and hits a rocket to the penalty area, setting up the vaunted rookie. After having to sit out the Challenge Cup due to injury, it didn’t take Smith long to prove that’ she’s already an impact player.

The NWSL is officially back. The Fall Series kicked off the first week of September and will run through the middle of October, with each team guaranteed four regional games. The league wasted no time in picking up where it left off after a wildly successful Challenge Cup, delivering a bevy of highlights in its opening matchups.

 

5. PURCE CASHES IN

How does one defend a duo like that of Mallory Pugh and Midge Purce? The answer: you probably can’t. Sky Blue’s new pickup, Pugh dribbles diagonally across the field, placing a perfectly weighted ball in front of her teammate Purce, who cuts in front of her defender to gain the inside edge. Purce drives to goal, drawing the Spirits’ keeper before finally tucking the ball away into the side panel. Purce’s 91st-minute goal gave her team an opening Fall Series win, as Sky Blue downed Washington Spirit 2-1. We’re sure this won’t be the last you’ll hear about these two.

 

4. BLEDSOE HOLDS HER GROUND

Chicago Red Star’s Kealia Watt cuts inside on her defender and cracks a shot from way outside. The ball ricochets off the crossbar, rebounding to Dani Rhodes, who takes a shot from point-blank range. But Washington’s Aubrey Bledsoe makes a remarkable reactionary save, blocking the shot from near the six. Bledsoe’s heroic stop kept her team to a one-goal differential in a 2-1 loss to Chicago.

 

3. GROOM IS UP TO HER USUAL TRICKS

Challenge Cup Championship MVP Shea Groom reads the backline defender perfectly, stripping the ball before diving to the goal and selflessly serving up her teammate Veronica Latsko on a platter. Latsko slits the ball into the back of the net, equalizing the game at 1. Unfortunately, the goal wasn’t enough as the Dash fell to the Courage 4-3 in their Fall Series debut.

 

2. SCARPA BEATS THE BUZZER

In the 93rd minute of a tied game, Washington Spirits’ Crystal Thomas spins her defender and plays a dangerous ball behind the backline. Scarpa sneaks behind her defender and, sliding, knocks the ball into the back of the net, earning her first career NWSL goal. Scarpa’s buzzer-beater score gave her team a 2-1 win over the Red Stars.

 

1. DEBINHA’S TOP 10 ROCKET

Debinha’s goal was No. 7 on Sports Center’s Top 10 plays, and it’s easy to see why. After receiving a pass from a teammate, Debinha dummies her defender before hitting an absolute screamer into the upper 90 of the back post. Debinha scored two goals in the opener for Carolina and currently has a 100% goal conversion for shots on goal…that’s good, right? Her two scores helped Carolina edge Houston Dash 4-3 in their opening game.

After so much talk ahead of the Fall Series was about who wasn’t playing, Debinha reminded us all that arguably the best player in the league is still on the field.

The 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup may have produced it’s fair share of goals, but for many, it was the outstanding play of the league’s coalition of goalkeepers that defined the bubble tournament. From national team regulars to third-string superstars, the keepers of the Cup made goals an absolute premium, so much so that the quarterfinals alone witnessed not one but three clean sheets.

Below, we celebrate the top 10 saves of the Cup.

 

10. SHERIDAN IS A WALL OF STEEL

OL Reign’s Jasmyne Spencer chases down her teammate’s flick and carries the ball straight to goal, drilling the ball from point-blank range. But the Canadian Kailen Sheridan makes an effortless save, pushing the ball to the side and preserving Sky Blue’s scoreless draw with OL Reign.

 

9. BARNES FLEXES HER FLAWLESS TIMING

It doesn’t matter how much time is remaining, you know Lauren Barnes will be putting in work. Late in the first half, Kawasumi of Sky Blue receives a cross inside the box and takes a touch, knocking the ball down. She blasts a line-drive shot from just a few yards out, but OL’s Barnes slides just in time to block the attempt. Barnes’ late tackle assisted OL Reign in maintaining a clean slate in a scoreless draw against Sky Blue. We’d say that shot probably bruised Barnes’ leg, but in reality it probably only bruised Sky Blue’s ego.

 

8. ROWLAND PUTS THE STOP SIGN OUT

The Chicago Red Stars’ Kealia Watt steals the ball from North Carolina’s center back and drives to goal on a counter-attack. Katelyn Rowland of North Carolina makes herself big, standing strong at the six-yard box to block Watt’s shot with just one hand. Rowland’s mind-boggling save assisted in North Carolina’s 1-0 victory over Chicago in the first round of the tournament.

 

7. BLEDSOE PUTS IN THE FULL 90

Late in the game, Lindsey Horan of the Portland Thorns collects a floated ball from out of the air, placing it on the ground before crushing it from just outside the 18. But Washington Spirit’s goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe denies Horan’s could-have-been goal, making a diving save to push the ball out of danger. Bledsoe then casually hops up, as if to say, just another day at the office.

 

6. ECKERSTROM COMES OUT FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS

North Carolina’s Williams slips Deinha a pass at the top of the box. Debinha twirls to face the goal and cracks a shot with wicked spin. Britt Eckerstrom remarkably reads Debinha’s shot and sends the ball out of play. Eckerstrom’s impeccable performance against Carolina in the quarterfinals allowed Portland to upset the reigning league champs, and rightfully solidified her spot on the Challenge Cup’s Best XI.

 

5. SHERIDAN OUT HERE BREAKING FORWARDS’ HEARTS

Golden glove winner Kailen Sheridan just would not let anything into her net. Washington’s Tori Huster hits a dangerous ball into the box from the right flank, finding her teammate Ashley Sanchez back post. Sanchez heads the ball into the corner, but Sky Blue’s keeper Sheridan is there to deflect the ball out to a defender in the area. Sheridan’s phenomenal save helped her team push past Washington Spirit in the quarterfinals in a 0-0 tie that eventually led to penalties.

 

4. CAMPBELL THRIVES UNDER PRESSURE

Campbell blocked 3 out of 5 penalties in the quarterfinals… that’s just unheard of. Here, Campbell read Vero Boquete like a book, diving to deflect the penalty off of her gloves. Her save secured Houston a slot into the semifinals after a scoreless tie in regulation. Can anyone say, national team call-up?

 

3. THAT’S NAEHER’S NET

Jess Fishlock maneuvers her way past Chicago’s defense and takes a low-driven shot back post. World Cup champ Alyssa Naeher denies Fishlock, pushing the ball wide from the frame to keep a scoreless draw in the quarterfinals clash. Naeher later played a key role in penalties, boosting Chicago to the semis. It’s almost like she’s used to playing on the big stage.

 

2. BIXBY SAYS, NAH, NOT TODAY

Ashley Sanchez of Washington Spirit plays an outside foot bender to teammate Ashley Hatch, who immediately takes a shot toward the upper V of the front post. But Portland Thorns’ goalkeeper Bella Bixby makes a backward diving effort to tip the ball safely out of play, effortlessly protecting a 1-1 draw in Portland’s third game of the preliminary rounds.

 

1. ECKERSTROM SHINES IN HER UNEXPECTED SPOTLIGHT

Carolina’s Debinha rips a free-kick from just outside the box, causing Eckerstrom to reach full extension in order to punch the ball over the crossbar. Eckerstrom’s exceptional save and match performance lifted Portland to a 1-0 win over Carolina, giving the Thorns a slot in the semifinals of the tournament.

Eckerstrom played in a total of two full games, but made the NWSL tournament Best XI team thanks to this save of the tournament and many more like it. Two games turned out to be all she needed to leave her mark on the Cup.