Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson strikes amongst best goals of the NWSL opening weekend

Trinity Rodman and Alyssa Thompson strikes rank amongst the best goals scored on the opening weekend of the 2023 NWSL season.

With a total of 14 goals scored in all matches bar Houston Dash and Racing Louisville cagey draw, the weekend was awash with goals that will make the past weekend one of the best opening weekends.

Alyssa Thompson’s first regular season professional goal and opener in Angel City’s home loss to Gotham FC deserves plaudits for the way the rising star struck it. A strike from distance that kissed the crossbar and gave Gotham FC goalkeeper no chance earns a place amongst best goals of the weekend. That it came from a star on the rise and in her first regular season ticks all the boxes as one of the best. Thompson now ranks as the fourth youngest scorer in a NWSL regular season.

Watch Thompson’s Goal for Angel City vs Gotham FC

Nike signed Alyssa Thompson as one of its first high school NIL athletes.

Then, she became the youngest draft pick in NWSL history at 18 years old.

11 minutes into her pro career, Thompson scored her hometown Angel City FC's first goal of the season.pic.twitter.com/5GPOdTE3J3

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 27, 2023

Trinity Rodman’s strike against OL Reign also makes the cut amongst the best goals of the weekend. The calm and control that sees her take the ball, pick space on the field, ask for any takers and then takes it all for herself makes her strike one of the best.

Watch Trinity Rodman’s strike vs OL Reign

Trinity Rodman is the absolute truth. Fantastic solo effort & game winner from the Washington Spirit baller. The Spirit had their largest ever crowd at Audi Field & the Audi faithful were treated to a classic.

Trin was in her bag & NWSL has been warned 👀pic.twitter.com/PkMTcgdIoL

— WJW FC (@WJWFC) March 26, 2023

Portland Thorns’ Sophia Smith scored a tee-up off of Christine Sinclair’s assist to also see her amongst the strikes of the weekend. The goal was a thing of beauty and illustrates how much work Orlando will have to do this season.

Watch Portland Thorns Sophia Smith’s goal

ICYMI: Bangers from @sophsssmith only 🥵

The only player in @NWSL history to score in 3️⃣ straight home openers #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/eISbrk279O

— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) March 27, 2023

Jaedyn Shaw stunner for the San Diego Wave also ranks amongst the best goals of the NWSL opening weekend. An emphatic strike from second-year player in a very narrow 3-2 win over the Chicago Red Stars has to savored as an important strike for San Diego Wave.

Jaedyn Shaw stunner for the San Diego Wave

JAEDYN SHAW IS THE TRUTH 😱pic.twitter.com/SRJ7F1LwcL

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) March 26, 2023