NWSL week 10 gave us a ton of action — hopefully enough to last us through this month-long break! Check out the top three goals and saves in terms of the difference between their post-shot expected goals (PSxG) and expected goals (xG).
Basically, these are the goals where the player taking the shot added the most value just on shot quality and the saves where the keeper was best able to navigate this unexpected extra shot quality.
Goal 1: Temwa Chawinga vs. Boston Legacy (0.90 PSxG on 0.23 xG)
Chawinga has perfectly positioned herself to get on the end of the rebound,
and despite Boston’s best efforts she proves once again that she is inevitable.
Goal 2: Manaka Matsukubo vs. Angel City (0.82 PSxG on 0.25 xG)
North Carolina has some gorgeous build-up play culminating in one of the best finishers in the league who isn’t going to miss from there.
Goal 3: Barbra Banda vs. Bay FC (0.99 PSxG on 0.46 xG)
Banda gets on the end of a long ball, draws out and gets around the goalkeeper, and then has a perfect finish on a less-than-ideal shooting angle. She’s definitely a deserved Golden Boot leader heading into the summer break.
Save 1: Casey Murphy vs. Kansas City Current (0.56 PSxG on 0.06 xG)
Temwa Chawinga is one of the best in the world at creating something out of nothing. Luckily, Casey Murphy is able to read her shot and keep her team in the game for now.
Save 2: Katie Atkinson vs. San Diego Wave (0.66 PSxG on 0.24 xG)
It’s nearly a perfect set piece for San Diego but Atkinson had quick reflexes to make sure the ball went over the net rather than inside of it.
Save 3: Abby Smith vs. Racing Louisville (0.48 PSxG on 0.06 xG)
Taylor Flint is hard to defend on set pieces but it’s a lot easier when you have Abby Smith on your team to pick up the pieces.
