Naomi Girma scores not once but twice for the U.S. Women’s National Team. But it’s worth noting that she actually found the net three times — one of those goals an own goal. Altogether, it took Girma 42 matches to score her first goal for the USWNT, but she quickly added a second goal—just 12 minutes later. In her debut match, Alyssa Malonson provided the assist for Girma’s first career brace.
Watch Girma’s second goal in the video below. She’s pretty high up the soccer field for a defender! She got a taste for scoring and wanted another!
ANOTHER ONE.
Naomi Girma gets her second goal of the night and her teammates are LOVING IT. 🤣
📺 NBC Universo and Peacock pic.twitter.com/x9ssVNzrE4
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 31, 2024
Girma is a fan and player favorite, thanks to her consistency and versatility on the soccer field. Moreover, her coach Emma Hayes respects her play and was beaming after Girma scored her first goal.
On the whole, she has the ability to play almost any position. Although she hasn’t showcased an ability to dribble past opponents just yet, she could add that skill quickly too. Given her talent, it’s only a matter of time before that aspect of her game shows through.
Many would argue she is among the best women’s soccer players in the world, despite not being included in the top 30 rankings for the Ballon d’Or award. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or award justifiably. However, clearly, Girma should have been on the list. The American players nominated were: Alyssa Naeher, Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Horan, and Sophia Smith.
Currently playing for the San Diego Wave in the NWSL, Girma would undoubtedly fit in at any top European club, from Lyon to Barcelona. Fans would embrace her passing ability and tenacity.
At just 24 years old she is in the prime of her soccer career. Pep Guardiola once remarked that if Tim Ream were younger, he’d be part of his Manchester City squad. Surely Guardiola is also a fan of Girma. She always makes the right pass and keeps possession of the ball like few others.
8 – In addition to her 2 goals, Naomi Girma completed 106/109 passes Wednesday, her 8th game with more than 100 completed passes for the #USWNT.
All other U.S. players have 7 such games combined in the last decade. Anchor. pic.twitter.com/Cm5zJDW4hd
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) October 31, 2024
Her second goal in this match showcased her skill: a header that looped beautifully into the net after she redirected the ball from a close range cross.
Girma demonstrated her defensive prowess recently in Paris over the summer. Effectively halting attacks and delivering precise long balls during the Olympics. She was the MVP overall of the team as the last line of defense.
Post-game versus Argentina, Sophia Smith welcomed Girma into the star-studded scoring group, which includes the likes of Rodman and Swanson. This is just the goal scoring beginning for Girma!
“I was just really surprised and really excited,” Girma said. “I feel like scoring your first goal is always so fun, and I’m always there to celebrate with my teammates. Whenever we score, I’m usually, like, sprinting up the field. So it was fun to score.”
From Jason Anderson on Twitter about Girma being one of the best in the world: “We’re looking at this all wrong. The Ballon d’Or needs to become a better award in order to deserve to be presented to Naomi Girma.”
Finally, and rightly so, ESPN gave Girma a perfect 10 player rating. Wonder how many times they’ve given out a rating of 10 in women’s soccer?
“Naomi Girma, 10 — Girma is one of the best players in the world right now and was the star of the night in Louisville. The center-back headed home her first international goal in the 37th minute, before going on to force Argentina’s own goal that made it 2-0 in the 44th. The 24-year-old then headed home a second goal in the 49th minute.”
