PORTLAND, Ore. – Nadia Nadim flies down the right channel and sprints by her defender. She's a blur but for her distinctive multi-colored headband.
A perfect pass from teammate Christine Sinclair falls straight onto Nadim's right foot. Almost effortlessly, the Thorns FC forward continues her run in the box, the ball seemingly tethered to her feet: right foot, left foot, back to her right foot.
Then, in an instant, Nadim strikes the ball again with her right and blasts it past the opposing goalkeeper, who stands flat-footed, her arms by her side, more surprised by the shot's power than by its suddenness.