NWSL Top Goal Scorers of All Time: Leading Goal Scorers in NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League, commonly called NWSL, is a professional women’s soccer league in the United States.
It is the top division of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. NWSL is one of the most popular women’s soccer leagues in the world. The NWSL was founded in 2012 as the successor to the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league, which folded in 2012 after three seasons. The NWSL currently has 12 teams:
- Angel City FC
- Chicago Red Stars
- Houston Dash
- Kansas City Current
- North Carolina Courage
- Orlando Pride
- Portland Thorns FC
- Racing Louisville FC
- San Diego Wave FC
- Seattle Reign FC
- Spirit FC
- Washington Spirit
The NWSL season runs from March to September, with the playoffs in October. The team with the most points at the end of the regular season wins the NWSL Shield. The NWSL Championship is a single-elimination tournament, with the top four teams in the regular season competing for the title.
The NWSL has been growing steadily in popularity since its inception. In 2022, the league had more than 1 million fans attend matches, and its television viewership has also increased. The NWSL is committed to growing the game of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada, and it is well-positioned to become a major force in women’s sports.
Sam Kerr is the all-time leading goal scorer in NWSL history. Christine Sinclair, Lynn Williams, Alex Morgan, and Jessica McDonald follow her.
It is worth noting that this list is subject to change, as players are constantly breaking records and setting new standards. Sam Kerr, for example, is only 29 years old and is still in her prime. She could easily add to her goal tally and become the all-time leading scorer in NWSL history.
NWSL All-Time Leading Goal-scorers
| Rank | Player | Goals |
| 1 | Sam Kerr | 77 |
| 2 | Christine Sinclair | 63 |
| 3 | Lynn Williams | 60 |
| 4 | Alex Morgan | 58 |
| 5 | Jessica McDonald | 54 |
| 6 | Christen Press | 47 |
| 7 | Megan Rapinoe | 47 |
| 8 | Amy Rodriguez | 39 |
| 9 | Sydney Leroux | 39 |
| 10 | Jess Fishlock | 38 |
Most Goals Scored in a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) by Season
Sam Kerr holds the record for most goals scored in a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) regular season. She scored 18 goals in 21 games for the Chicago Red Stars in 2019, breaking her own single-season record of 17.
NWSL Top goal-Scorers by Season (regular season only)
| Year | Player | Goals | Games |
| 2013 | Lauren Holiday | 12 | 18 |
| 2014 | Kim Little | 16 | 23 |
| 2015 | Crystal Dunn | 15 | 20 |
| 2016 | Lynn Williams | 14 | 19 |
| 2017 | Sam Kerr | 17 | 22 |
| 2018 | Sam Kerr | 16 | 20 |
| 2019 | Sam Kerr | 19 | 23 |
| 2021 | Ashley Hatch | 11 | 23 |
| 2022 | Alex Morgan | 16 | 19 |
| 2023 | Sophia Smith | 11 | 14 |
Kerr achieved this despite being absent for part of the season while playing for Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her goals accounted for 44% of her team’s total for the season. Kerr also scored her first-ever playoff goal as the Red Stars reached the NWSL final, where they lost to North Carolina Courage.
