Aussie footballers are highlight-machines, but sometimes these amazing moments don’t show up on the stat sheet. So, in a new segment, resident football-expert Kristin Shaffer counts down the three best goals, moments and performances each week.
THREE BEST GOALS
3. Sam Kerr’s Equaliser
The Chicago Red Stars were down 1-0 in stoppage time trying to find the goal to bring them level. A free kick landed in the box that was headed three times until it got knocked towards Kerr. She let the ball bounce one time before she sent the ball skipping into the goal with a right foot shot. When the Red Stars need a goal Kerr is the answer.
Drama in the Garden State! Who else but @SamKerr1?
— NWSL (@NWSL) August 15, 2019
1-1 | #NJvCHI pic.twitter.com/2yXvR7ARc0
2. Hayley Raso’s Early Goal
Many times teams talk about setting the tone in games and setting the tone early. What better way to set the tone than to snag a goal in the first five minutes? The Portland Thorns did just that and Raso was the one to get them on the scoresheet. A cross into the box got redirected by a defender. Raso had to readjust her run, but she was able to get to the ball first. She only had enough time to get off a one touch shot, but that shot just happened to perfectly float and curl into the goal. An impressive goal from one of the more impressive players this NWSL season.
That finish from @HayleyRaso 👌. #BAONPDX #PORvWAS pic.twitter.com/j3dNIugqTW
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) August 18, 2019
1.Tameka Yallop with a Stunning Goal
Yallop has been an important player for Klepp IL this season. The team is in the top three of their league and Yallop has been putting in full 90 minute games to help secure their spot.
Their game this week was no different with Yallop getting the scoring started for Klepp when she got a pass at the edge of the box. Yallop then tapped the ball around her defender to create space.
The touch was enough for Yallop to send in a soaring shot to the far back left post. The goalkeeper’s outstretched arms were not enough and Yallop put her team up 1-0.
What a stunner from @TamekaButt! ☄️
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 19, 2019
🎥: Toppfotball Kvinner #GoMatildas pic.twitter.com/NNMi0ee4Wz
THREE BEST MOMENTS
3. Ellie Carpenter Returns to the Starting XL
Since a tough tackle back in mid-July Carpenter has been limited in her time for the Portland Thorns. Recently she has been playing limited minutes and comes into games as a late substitute.
But this past week Carpenter returned to her usual role as a starter for the Thorns. She is not back to a full 90 minutes quite yet but she did put in 61 minutes and helped Portland secure the win
Our starting XI for tonight. #BAONPDX #PORvWAS pic.twitter.com/MylhDJ9dWf
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) August 18, 2019
2. Steph Catley Pens Letter to Younger Self
The Reign FC’s main sponsor is tech juggernaut Microsoft. In a joint effort to prove to the next generation that anything is possible a few Reign players wrote letters to their younger selves.
Catley was one of the players utilized for the campaign and had a powerful message. She told herself...
“I know what you’re thinking…is it all worth it? I’m writing this letter to tell you that it is.”
An impressive career at the club and national level seems to prove that statement true.
1. Sam Kerr’s Commitment to her Team
If you have followed women’s soccer this year than you have heard of Sam Kerr and her spectacular play. But lately the buzz around Kerr has been about where she is going to play next.
There have been rumors that she is looking to play in Europe and leave the Chicago Red Stars. Until recently Kerr has not commented and rather let her league leading goals for her team do the talking.
This week, she took to telling the press that she is committed to Chicago and the NWSL. She has played in the league since 2013 and does not plan on leaving anytime soon.
Kerr mentions she has never won the NWSL and it appears she won’t leave until she can raise that trophy.
Australian star Sam Kerr says she's focused on leading the Chicago Red Stars to the NWSL title, not any lucrative offers from a European club that might be coming her way.
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) August 15, 2019
What Kerr decides to do could be a major test for the NWSL.
More from @jcohenap https://t.co/W33kJw5EmJ pic.twitter.com/eNDCe131iD
THREE BEST PERFORMANCES
3. Steph Catley
No one is surprised when Catley stops forwards in their tracks. However, her ability to have top performances week after week in one of the top leagues in the world truly puts her skill level into perspective.
This week she was tasked with keeping Sky Blue FC off of the scoresheet and more specifically she had to stop former FIFA Player of the Year, Carli Lloyd. Sky Blue as a whole was limited to just three shots on goal and Lloyd contributed zero of them.
Catley once again showed she’s a top defender in this league.
Let’s goooooo 💪🏼💙 @ReignFC https://t.co/mSniQofaQ5
— Stephanie Catley (@stephcatley) August 18, 2019
2. Hayley Raso
The Thorns are still the top team in the NWSL and Raso is cementing she is one of the top players on the team. She disrupts defenses and for lack of a better pun, is simply a thorn in teams’ sides.
Just this week Raso opened the scoring for the Thorns, but also had all three of her shots go on frame. At one time she was a sub to spark the team in the second half and now she is igniting the team for a full 90 minutes.
— Hayley Raso (@HayleyRaso) August 19, 2019
1. Tameka Yallop
Klepp IL heavily relies on Yallop and her performances for the team each game. She has netted a game winner for the club and provided the opening goal this week that propelled her team to win.
Klepp keeps seeing her importance and having her play full matches week after week. When Yallop has a good game it seems so does the rest of her team.
If she can keep putting up quality performances than the team will continue to benefit.
Two goals and a strong 🤙from Tameka Yallop in Toppserien pic.twitter.com/EQmNu4j03G
— Marissa Lordanic (@marissalordanic) May 12, 2019
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