Kerr wins another major trophy as Matildas fire on two continents
Matildas megastar Sam Kerr won yet another major trophy as her Gotham FC side made history by claiming the NWSL Shield for the first time on Monday (AEDT).
Gotham’s 2-0 victory over the Utah Royals sealed the league’s best regular-season record and home advantage throughout the playoffs.
Sam Kerr of Gotham FC reacts to the team’s second goal scored by Jaedyn Shaw. Getty
Leila Ouahabi and Sam Kerr of NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrate winning the NWSL Shield. Getty
Kerr played the full 90 minutes at New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium, the same venue where Zac Lomax had starred for the Australia A rugby team over the weekend.
The 33-year-old is the league’s all-time leading regular-season goalscorer with 80.
But Kerr left it to Guro Reiten and Jaedyn Shaw to do the damage against Utah.
“This was obviously amazing to win the shield. We are so happy to finally achieve this,” Shaw said.
Gotham (18-5-7) will host the No.8 seed Seattle Reign next Monday (AEDT) in the quarter-finals.
Kerr’s Matildas teammates, Ellie Carpenter and Mary Fowler, were meanwhile strutting their stuff in England’s Women’s Super League.
Carpenter scored in Chelsea’s 6-0 demolition of Emily van Egmond’s last-placed Charlton Athletic, who are yet to register a single point this season.
Carpenter scored Chelsea’s third in just the 13th minute, slotting home the rebound after Lauren James’ shot was saved by Charlton goalkeeper Anna Koivunen.
The win on Monday (AEDT) put Chelsea back on top of the standings, ahead of Fowler’s Manchester City on goal difference.
Carpenter, Australian football’s player of the year, was judged best on ground after the attacking fullback scored her fifth goal in 13 games this season.
The 26-year-old from Cowra only scored three goals last campaign.
“Really happy, very proud of the team. I think we had a great team performance today. A lot of different goalscorers, people coming off the bench and making an impact,” Carpenter said.
“An all-around great team performance. I’m just enjoying my football at the moment, and I’ve been working a lot in the final third.
“Anything to help this team win, get the three points, and I’m proud of myself for finding the net again today.”
Ex-Socceroos captain Craig Foster last month declared Carpenter as the best right back in the world.
Fowler was not to be denied either.
Used off the bench, the 23-year-old from Cairns delivered a pinpoint cross for Lauren Hemp’s decisive goal in City’s 2-1 win over the London City Lionesses.
Khadija Shaw scored City’s first goal before Jana Fernandez equalised with a brilliant header.
Also in London, Arsenal’s trio of Matildas - Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Steph Catley - all started in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
The three of them combined had seven shots on goal, but none got past Akane Ōkuma.
Football’s new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, J.League, NWSL and K League
