Becky Sauerbrunn gave NWSL fans something to cheer for Sunday, notching her first goal since 2019 and helping the Portland Thorns to a 6-0 shutout over the Orlando Pride.
The veteran defender buried her finish in the game’s 25th minute, following up a blocked free-kick for her first goal of the season.
It's a bird! It's a plane!No, it's a @beckysauerbrunn goal (‼️) and a @sophsssmith brace (‼️) pic.twitter.com/BME8xjZvcu— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) June 19, 2022
It's a bird! It's a plane!No, it's a @beckysauerbrunn goal (‼️) and a @sophsssmith brace (‼️) pic.twitter.com/BME8xjZvcu
To make the rare center-back goal even sweeter, Sauerbrunn’s finish means she will be donating $500 to Athlete Ally as a part of her Playing for Pride partnership, which she announced in early June.
In a post to Twitter, Sauerbrunn pledged to donate $250 for every appearance, $100 for every goal the Thorns score and $500 for every goal she personally scores.
“Today has been a very expensive day, but it’s been an excellent day,” Sauerbrunn told reporters during Sunday’s post-game press conference. “That money is going to Athlete Ally, it’s going to great causes. I will gladly give over most of my paycheck.”
Becky Sauerbrunn had her goal celebration READY for her first #NWSL score since September 2019!#PORvORL pic.twitter.com/0232znVkag— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) June 19, 2022
Becky Sauerbrunn had her goal celebration READY for her first #NWSL score since September 2019!#PORvORL pic.twitter.com/0232znVkag
Of her instantly iconic goal celebration, Sauerbrunn said it was “completely spontaneous,” adding that she was “just super excited.”
While Sauerbrunn has found the back of the net for Portland, the USWNT captain has yet to score for the national team. Her drought has become a talking point among fans, with the 37-year-old logging 202 USWNT caps with seven assists and zero goals.