One name really jumps out in the free kick column: Sam Staab. Staab has actually logged more free kicks than anyone, including goalkeepers, in the NWSL this season. Her closest non-GK competition is Kaleigh Kurtz with 31, and seven GKs separate those two on the list of total free kicks. Staab’s value is compounded by the fact that she also takes more than half of Washington’s corner kicks.
Other than Staab and Kurtz, Tierna Davidson is another player to keep in mind based on free kick data. While most NWSL teams tend to see free kicks split between two or three players, Davidson does seem to be getting the lion’s share in Chicago (and only costs $150k).
While all corner kicks are valuable in FNWSL, players that take corners from both sides are especially lucrative. Angel City’s Claire Emslie and North Carolina’s Narumi Miura appear to fall in this category, and while we’ve discussed Emslie several times over the past few weeks, Miura is a very interesting option at midfield. While she has yet to score a goal this season, she has logged two assists and is a top 10 FNWSL midfielder so far – and only costs $75k. If you’re trying to solve the puzzle of how to fit three $400k players on your team without sacrificing value at other positions, Miura could be a big help!
The PK data doesn’t tell us all that much that we don’t already know, as it primarily just underlines the importance of players like Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, Ashley Hatch, and Savannah DeMelo. However, it can provide some interesting info if you’re looking for more differential options at FW – I’d take a look at Kerolin and Claire Emslie if you need to change up your front line.
Will you be making any changes to your team this week based on set piece data? Comment or tweet @MansersAnswers!