Probably the most anticipated conflict from this semifinals is ready. Orlando Pleasure will face Kansas Metropolis Present and together with that, the highest goalscorers of the NWSL may have the chance to show who’s finest.
Each share similarities however on the similar time, they’re completely different. What are their traits? Let’s dive in and see.
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Picture by Dustin Markland/Getty Pictures
Barbra Banda
Since African and Chinese language soccer aren’t well-known on this facet of the world, folks have been questioning why the Pleasure was prepared to pay Shanghai Shengli $740,000 to amass the Zambian ahead in a four-year deal.
Banda completed second within the Golden Boot race with 13 tallies, amongst 43 targets complete her staff scored within the common season—16 greater than of their 2023 season. How did Banda do it?
An unselfish participant
Prime goalscorers often favor to take the pictures themselves. Within the following movies, you’ll see two examples of Banda recognizing her teammate is in a greater place.
First, she might’ve crushed the defenders together with her velocity however as an alternative selected to move the ball to teammate Ally Watt immediately in entrance of the aim. After which, you’ll see how she assists Marta contained in the field, though she had a transparent probability to shoot and end her night time with a hat trick. Possibly that’s why Banda completed her season with six assists, yet another than Chawinga.
Crossing
Banda completed her season with 9 accomplished crosses whereas Chawinga registered solely three. In othe first clips beneath, she sends the ball to Angelina.
Within the second, she sends it to Watt. Each completed discovering the again of the online.
Aerial recreation
Out of her 13 targets scored, virtually half got here from headers. Banda is aware of how one can win her aerial duels contained in the field.
Look within the following video how first she arrives to the second publish to attain a header whereas being unmarked after which how she wins an aerial duel in opposition to two center-backs.
Banda has different nice traits resembling her acceleration and explosion that helps her dash and depart her defenders behind and put herself in goalscoring positions or set her teammates for it as you’ve seen within the movies above. She can also management lengthy, troublesome passes whereas being surrounded by defenders and discover the house to interrupt via or move the ball.
Whenever you take a look at the chart beneath, we are able to see she’s nice in progressive carries (second within the league with 112), profitable take-ons (fourth with 48), % of dribblers tackled, and progressive passes. She’s not that good within the defensive division, though she could be good with tackles.
All these traits make her a extra well-rounded participant within the assault than Chawinga. However what concerning the Kansas Metropolis striker?
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Picture by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Pictures
Temwa Chawinga
The 2024 NWSL Golden Boot winner is on a quest to get a Championship in her first season within the league. She already established a brand new file within the goalscoring division, passing WHOTK’s previous file of WHATTK from YEAR TK.
A scientific striker
She’s first in pictures (106) and pictures on track (58), having a taking pictures accuracy of 71.9%, and a conversion charge of 23.6%. She scores a aim each 106.4 minutes in opposition to Banda’s 16.5% conversion charge and 122 minutes per aim common.
And you may see that on the sector. Chawinga doesn’t often miss sitters whereas we’ve seen Banda lacking some very clear aim alternatives just like the one she missed within the playoff quarterfinal.
Shot taker
The Malawian doesn’t hesitate She’s not afraid to shoot if she sees a gap.
She’s assured in her abilities and is aware of that she’s inevitable.
Fearless attacker
The striker is rarely afraid to tackle defenders regardless of what number of they’re or how late within the recreation it may be. Her management of the ball, her motor, and her stamina are outstanding. That’s additionally what permits her to be so efficient in counterattacks that make the opponent’s defenses pay. Look within the clips beneath how she does this in not solely the ten’ but in addition in stoppage time.
Composure
Chawinga’s cool head contained in the field permits her to often win in 1v1 conditions both in opposition to defenders or the goalkeeper. She will be able to lose the ball however the Malawian will hold urgent to get it again and discover the again of the online.
The traits talked about above are simply a few of her traits however while you take a look at the chart beneath you’ll see that though Banda generally is a extra well-rounded participant within the assault, Chawinga contributes extra in different elements of the sector, together with the protection. We will title particularly two: the variety of gamers tackled and the variety of interceptions (Tkl+Int within the chart), and blocks.
It’s fascinating too that she has a greater proportion of aerial duels gained however on the similar time, she hasn’t scored a single header. That’s as a result of her aerial duels are extra defensive-prone.
Conclusion
Banda’s zen unselfishness and Chawinga’s relentless effectivity are core to what the league is now. Athleticism will not be sufficient anymore in girls’s soccer these days, and that’s why different groups can not replicate what Chawinga and Banda have performed this season.
