The Greatest Moments In National Women’s Soccer League History

With the finals of the NWSL’s 10th season approaching, MaximBet kicks off the league’s all-time highlights.

Adrianna Franch
(Depositphotos/Galecophoto)

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is celebrating 10 years of goals, saves and everything in between.Since the league’s inaugural year, the US Women’s National Team have won two World Cups and held the No. 1 spot in the FIFA rankings for the better part of 7 years. So, it’s no surprise that the NWSL has grown in size and popularity in recent years. 

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Now let’s celebrate a decade of soccer by taking a look at some of our favorite NWSL moments!

Tobin Heath’s Final Goal

2013

It was the final of the NWSL’s inaugural year, and Tobin Heath’s Portland Thorns were up against the Western New York Flash. A free kick from 25 yards is no simple feat but Heath made it look easy and Flash goalie Adrianna Franch was no match. Thorns captain Christine Sinclair also managed to sneak in a second goal at the 91st minute during stoppage, killing any dreams New York may have had of an equalizer.

Sam Kerr’s 77 goals

2013-2019

The Australian forward is a three-time winner of the NWSL’s Golden Boot, making her the only player to take the award more than once in the 10 years since the league began.

It started with the first ever goal for the Western New York Flash in 2013. In what would become a signature move for Kerr, she surprised everyone by scoring off her head in the 85th minute of the game.

And it ended with her 77th goal in 2019 during her last NWSL season playing for the Chicago Red Stars. Taking on two defenders and Washington’s goalie, Kerr went it alone to score for the second time in that game.

Adrianna Franch Wins Goalkeeper of the Year

2017

While Sam Kerr is kicking goals, Adrianna Franch is saving them, and what a job she did in 2017.In her first year as the starting keeper for the Portland Thorns, Franch broke the record for most shutouts in an NWSL season earning her the title Goalkeeper of the Year.

That year the Thorns took out the Championship in a 1-0 shutout final against the North Carolina Courage. This month Franch was unsurprisingly named on the US National squad lineup for the 2023 Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Angel City FC Joins the NWSL

2022

Over the past 10 years the league has expanded by 50% and seen a lot of changes to the teams in competition, but the addition of LA’s Angel City FC this season was a little different.

Founded in 2020 by Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman and Julie Uhrman, AFCF boasts that it’s “not just another football club”. The club’s mission is to make a difference in the LA community and they’re doing this alongside their brand partners by providing essentials to those that need it, equity to marginalized communities and education to kids and adults Check out what that means to those involved in the club.

You can join in on the NWSL action with MaximBet’s $1,000 welcome offer. Sign up today* to get started.

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