Three women nominated for Puskas award

Amy Rodriguez, Ajara Nchout, and Billie Simpson are among the 10 nominees for FIFA’s Puskas award, given for the best goal scored.

Rodriguez’s goal is from June 16, when the Utah Royals played Sky Blue. Rodriguez fakes Sarah Killion, takes off into space centrally, and shoots from well outside the 18. Her ball takes a slight curve and dips under the crossbar.

Ajara Nchout’s goal comes from the World Cup, when Cameroon beat New Zealand 2-1 on June 20. Nchout cuts twice, putting a defender on the ground, and drops the ball into the back corner with a neat little curving shot.

Last but definitely not least, this midfield volleyed chip from Billie Simpson last August, for Cliftonville Ladies in the Northern Ireland women’s premiership. It’s the kind of goal where when it happens to you, you kind of just have to throw up your arms and go “Well I guess so.”

The eligible period for goals is from July 16, 2018 to July 19, 2019. Fans can vote until September 1 for the goals to go on a three-person shortlist, from which the ultimate winner will be chosen by a “FIFA Legends” panel.

Full list of nominees:

Matheus Cunha (BRA) - Bayer Leverkusen v RB Leipzig [Bundesliga] (6 April 2019)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (SWE) - Toronto FC v LA Galaxy [MLS] (15 September 2018)
Lionel Messi (ARG) - Real Betis v FC Barcelona [La Liga] (17 March 2019)
Ajara Nchout (CMR) - Cameroon v New Zealand [FIFA Women’s World Cup] (20 June 2019)
Fabio Quagliarella (ITA) - Sampdoria v Napoli [Serie A] (2 September 2018)
Juan Fernando Quintero (COL) - River Plate v Racing Club [Argentinian Superliga] (10 February 2019)
Amy Rodriguez (USA) - Utah Royals v Sky Blue FC [NWSL] (16 June 2019)
Billie Simpson (NIR) - Sion Swifts Ladies FC v Cliftonville Ladies FC [Women’s NIFL Premiership] (9 August 2018)
Andros Townsend (ENG) - Manchester City v Crystal Palace [Premier League] (22 December 2018)
Dániel Zsóri (HUN) - Debrecen FC v Ferencváros TC [Nemzeti Bajnoskag I] (16 February 2019)

Which one was your favorite goal? Is there a goal you think got snubbed?