The end of the NWSL regular season is quickly approaching, which means each game matters more, and the pressure is turning goals into diamonds! Check out the top three goals and saves based on 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: Jaedyn Shaw vs. Chicago Stars (0.88 PSxG on 0.15 xG)
Shaw becomes the youngest
player in NWSL history to score 25 regular-season goals as she makes sure Chicago’s poor box defending doesn’t go to waste for her team.
Goal 2: Haley McCutcheon vs. Bay FC (0.81 PSxG on 0.08 xG)
McCutcheon picks her corner and puts her team up 81 seconds into the game with her fifth of the season.
Goal 3: Maiara Niehues vs. Washington Spirit (0.74 PSxG on 0.05 xG)
Niehues scores potentially the goal of the season from just outside of the box, sending in a curler that the goalkeeper has no chance of saving.
Save 1: Mandy McGlynn vs. North Carolina Courage (0.76 PSxG on 0.07 xG)
McGlynn keeps things level for now with a great save on a wide-open shot for Riley Jackson.
Save 2: Jordyn Bloomer vs. San Diego Wave (0.52 PSxG on 0.03 xG)
Bloomer dives through the air to get a hand on a quality shot from Trinity Byars.
Save 3: Alyssa Naeher vs. Gotham FC (0.69 PSxG on 0.25 xG)
Naeher has excellent positioning to deny the league’s all-time regular-season goalscoring leader and keep her team in the game for now.
