NWSL Star Power Index: Sydney Leroux and Bethany Balcer lead Golden Boot race

Welcome to the NWSL Star Energy Index — a weekly gauge of the gamers who’re producing buzz across the league. Inclusion on this record is usually a factor however it would not need to be. Buzz is available in all kinds of various flavors and easily implies that they’re capturing the NWSL world’s consideration for one purpose or one other. Additionally, this isn’t a rating. The gamers listed are in no specific order, they’re simply all driving the dialog in their very own methods.

1. Sydney Leroux (F) – Orlando Delight

The veteran ahead has an NWSL-best seven objectives over 13 matches this common season. The striker has been a key participant within the attacking third, posting an anticipated objective score of 4.78, and main the group with 41 photographs to associate with 9 probabilities created. Leroux has additionally supplied stable defensive shifts this 12 months, overlaying a number of area towards opposition and has 53 recoveries because the group heads into the second half of the season.

2. Bethany Balcer (F) – OL Reign

The 2019 Rookie of the Yr is having a standout 2021 and added to her objective tally final weekend with a brace towards the Houston Sprint.

Balcer at the moment has six objectives via 13 appearances this season and is second within the Golden Boot race behind Leroux. She been lively on offense, creating seven probabilities and leads forwards on the group in profitable almost 60 p.c of her aerial duals. Her motion off the ball has supplied midfielders more room within the last third, and her capability to complete within the air and on the bottom makes her a menace.

3. Simone Charley (F) – Portland Thorns FC

The ahead is in her third 12 months with Portland and was a key a part of the the Thorns assault in the course of the Olympic portion of the schedule. Charley is second among the many membership’s attackers with 10 probabilities created, and is tied with Sophia Smith for many objectives on the group with 4. She not too long ago recorded the game-winning objective towards the Washington Spirit. 

4. Nadia Nadim (F) – Racing Louisville FC

The 33-year-old ahead was signed midseason and has already made an impression in three appearances. After just some matches, Nadim has created eight probabilities and recorded 10 whole photographs. She was credited with the game-wining objective towards Kansas Metropolis NWSL.

5. Meredith Speck (M) – North Carolina Braveness 

The midfielder has made eight appearances this 12 months, getting begins extra consecutive begins with the group over the Olympic stretch of the schedule because the Braveness have been lacking key midfielders on worldwide responsibility. Speck elevated her sport over the previous few weeks, recording an help towards Orlando after which scoring the deciding objective towards Gotham FC final week.