Although the U.S. Women’s National Team won’t be back in action until October for two highly-anticipated matches against Spain, in the meantime, the players are putting on a show in the NWSL.
From game-winning goals to standout performances, USWNT players have continued to shine across the league since returning from international duty in June. Here are some of the biggest moments from the past few weeks.
Back-to-back game winners for Lavelle
Reigning NWSL champions Gotham FC earned a 1-0 victory on July 15 against the Washington Spirit in front of a record 42,175 fans at Citi Field in the Queens Classic thanks to a spectacular goal from midfielder Rose Lavelle. After splitting two defenders with a move inside the box, Lavelle chipped the goalkeeper from a very difficult angle, lofting shot from the left side of the penalty area into the far side netting for the go-ahead goal in the 37th minute.
Days later, Lavelle scored the final goal in a thrilling 3-2 comeback win for Gotham against Seattle Reign FC. After falling into a two-goal deficit before halftime, a brace from Esther González brought Gotham level with the second goal coming in stoppage time. In the 90+7th minute, Lavelle made a run inside the box and pounced on a ball that last touched teammate Sam Kerr and sent a left-footed shot past the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper into the back of the net.
Trinity Rodman is on a heater
Forward Trinity Rodman has been on a tear since rejoining the Washington Spirit last month, scoring four goals in the team’s last four matches.
Against the Houston Dash on July 3, Rodman put the Spirit on the board in the 50th minute, then scored the game-winner in stoppage time with a strike from outside the box. She scored the following week in a 2-0 win over North Carolina Courage before scoring what would become another game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Boston Legacy. The Spirit are now at the top of the table, and Rodman is tied for fourth-most goals in the league with seven so far this season.
Lindsey Heaps makes her debut in Denver
USWNT midfielder and captain Lindsey Heaps made her long-awaited debut with hometown club Denver Summit FC on July 18 after signing with the expansion side earlier this year. The Colorado native got the starting nod and wore the captain's armband in the Summit’s 2-1 win over the Portland Thorns at Centennial Stadium, where earned the assist on Natalie Means’ game-winner in the 86th minute.
Croix and Cooper combine twice for KC
In Kansas City Current’s first match back after the break, midfielder Croix Bethune assisted forward Michelle Cooper twice in a 3-0 win over Denver Summit. In the 33rd minute, the Current forced a turnover and Bethune collected the ball at midfield before sending a pass into space for Cooper. She took a few touches inside the box before slotting home the first goal of the match. On the other side of halftime, Bethune settled a bouncing ball and played a short pass inside the box for a running Cooper. The forward made a move past the goalkeeper and scored again to double the lead. It was Cooper’s first career regular season brace and Bethune’s third career regular season multi-assist game.
