Sam Kerr: The Heart of Australia and Face of Women’s Soccer
Sam Kerr has become one of the most well-known players in the world. She’s made a name for herself as one of the best players in the world right now, and it’s coming at a time when her home country is about to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Beginning of Career and NWSL
Kerr began her career in 2008 at 15 in Australia, playing for Perth Glory. In 2013 she moved to the United States to join the NWSL and play for the Western New York Flash. She spent two seasons with the Flash scoring 15 goals in 39 appearances before being traded to Sky Blue FC in 2015.
During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, she appeared in 18 matches for Sky Blue, scoring 11 goals between the two seasons
It was during the 2017 season that things started to click for Kerr. She became one of the most exciting players in the game. She appeared in 22 matches for Sky Blue, scoring 17 goals in that season. She’s been on a hot streak since the 2017 season, cementing herself as one of the best goalscorers in the game.
In 2018, she was traded to the Chicago Red Stars, where she would spend two seasons. In those two seasons, she appeared in 40 matches for the Red Stars, scoring 34 goals.
She won the NWSL MVP Award in both 2017 and 2019, as well as the NWSL Golden Boot Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Kerr is still the NWSL’s all-time leading goal scorer with 77 in her seven seasons.
Chelsea
After the 2019 NWSL season, rumors swirled of Kerr gaining attention from European clubs, and in November 2019, the forward signed with Chelsea.
She spent four seasons with Chelsea appearing in 67 matches and scoring 54 goals while helping win the FA Women’s Super League all four seasons. She’s also helped the club win the Women’s FA Cup three times and the FA Women’s League Cup twice. Chelsea was also the UEFA Champions League runner-up in 2021.
She’s won quite a few individual awards with the English club, but to highlight some, she’s won the FA WSL Golden Boot award twice, the IFFHS AFC Women’s Player of the Year, the Football Writer’s Association Women’s Footballer of the Year twice, and WSL Player of the Season.
Australia
Sam Kerr has become the face of Australian soccer. She’s the leader of the Australian Women’s National Team and will play a huge role in their 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign.
The forward earned her first cap in 2009 at 15 and has since made over 100 appearances. Kerr represented Australia at three World Cups with a fourth on the horizon, and one Olympic Games. She’s the all-time leading goalscorer for Australia with 63 so far.
She won the PFA Australian Women’s Footballer of the Year award five different times, including last year.
Her play on the field has led to her being able to do some pretty cool things as well. Kerr received the key to the city of Perth, was on the cover of FIFA 23, and was the Australian flag bearer at the coronation of Charles III and Camila.
Not only has Sam Kerr become the face of Australian soccer, but she’s now a face of women’s soccer as a whole.
Featured image via @matildas on Instagram
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