Fansided

NWSL Opening Weekend: 6 standout players after week one

By Caden Charpentier

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Ali Riley #5 of Angel City FC and Lynn Williams #10 of NJ/NY Gotham FC fight for control of the ball during the first half of a game at BMO Stadium on March 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Ali Riley #5 of Angel City FC and Lynn Williams #10 of NJ/NY Gotham FC fight for control of the ball during the first half of a game at BMO Stadium on March 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 2
Next
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – AUGUST 21: Katie Lund #23 of Racing Louisville FC celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in a shootout against FC Bayern Munich during The Women’s Cup Championship Match at Lynn Family Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – AUGUST 21: Katie Lund #23 of Racing Louisville FC celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in a shootout against FC Bayern Munich during The Women’s Cup Championship Match at Lynn Family Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

4. Katie Lund, Racing Louisville

Just like the Portland Thorns, Racing Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund wasted no time picking up right where they left off in 2022. Lund led the league in saves last season by a significant margin over Angel City FC shot-stopper DiDi Haracic due mainly to a porous Louisville backline. Of the five goalkeepers that collected a clean sheet this past weekend, Lund came up with the most saves. The 6-foot-1 Texas native stopped seven Houston Dash shots including a sensational double save in the 69′ to deny the Dash the opening goal.

This time Houston earned its way into a shot at Lund. Racing’s defense did its job at times, but it was Lund who like last season consistently bailed them out. For Kim Bjorkegren’s side to go on the road and draw a talented Dash team that includes a high-powered attack is a quality start to the 2023 campaign. Lund was locked in from start to finish. While she finished sixth in the NWSL in clean sheets last season, her talent combined with an improved defense in front of her should increase her total in 2023.

5. Michelle Cooper, KC Current

Out of all the rookies that made their mark in the league during the opening weekend, former Duke forward Michelle Cooper was one of the biggest standouts. With the injury to four of Kansas City’s potential starters, Matt Potter needed someone to step up on the offensive side of things. Having dealt Lynn Williams to Gotham over the offseason in exchange for the selection that led to Cooper, there were high hopes for what she could be able to do at a professional level.

What stood out the most from Cooper was her work ethic as one of the focal points up top. Cooper finished the match with more shots than any other Current player while collecting the most touches in North Carolina’s penalty area. With her college teammates in the stands, Cooper was constantly trying to put pressure on Sean Nahas’ backline. Cooper knows she belongs at this level, and her first 90 minutes on the pitch were a perfect example of that.

6. Tyler Lussi, NC Courage

The right side of the pitch for North Carolina is going to be something special. With USWNT star Emily Fox behind her, Tyler Lussi was sensational on the right wing in her first 76 minutes in a Courage kit. Kerolin and Mille Gejl received all the praise following the win, and rightly so, but it was Lussi who was the unsung difference-maker.

Playing mostly in the backline last season for Angel City, Nahas put Lussi back where she feels most comfortable, on the wing of a front-three. While she only had one shot, Lussi had the most progressive carries on the team while finishing as one of the four Courage players with four or more progressive passes. Her eyes were constantly looking forward toward Kerolin making a run through the defensive line of Kansas City. Lussi’s creativity, speed, and elusiveness with the ball at her feet make her a perfect running mate with Kerolin in the front line.

In a deal that went under the radar for the most part this offseason, acquiring Lussi may have been one of the most intelligent moves by any club over the last few months. Her and Fox on the right-hand side are going to cause fits for opposing teams all season.

— Caden Charpentier, @CCharp16

Check out our NWSL hub page for more news, analysis, opinion and unique women’s soccer coverage. And don’t forget to follow FOR(E) on Twitter, FanSided’s home for women’s sports.

Home/NWSL