Sam Kerr: The Greatest Australian To Play The Beautiful Game

Sam Kerr is more than a name in women’s soccer; she is a beacon of excellence and a symbol of the sport’s transformative power. Her journey from a small suburb in Perth to the pinnacle of international soccer has inspired countless young athletes around the world.

Kerr’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and triumph, resonating deeply within the sporting world and beyond. Join Footballers’ Biographies as we explore the adventures of Samantha May Kerr.

Player Profile – Sam Kerr

Sam Kerr is the captain of the Australian Women’s national team and also their all time top goalscorer. She made her professional debut at 15 with Perth Glory in the W-League. She started her career with Western New York Flash before going to play in the U.S. and Europe.

She currently plays for the Chelsea women’s team and has won the WSL titles to go along with several individual titles. Sam Kerr’s playing style is characterized by her speed, agility, aerial ability, and precise finishing.

Player Profile Overview

The Early Life of Sam Kerr

Sam Kerr was born in East Fremantle, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, to Roxanne (née Regan) and Roger Kerr. Her father, a professional Australian rules football player, was born in Calcutta to an English father, a featherweight boxer, and an Indian mother who played basketball.

Kerr played Australian rules football but switched to soccer at age 12 due to gender restrictions in Australian rules football. Although she initially struggled to transition to soccer, Kerr’s exceptional athleticism and raw talent were evident. She made her W-League and international debuts at age 15.

Sam Kerr’s Playing Style

Club Career

Sam Kerr started her career at Western Knights in Mosman Park. After three years there, she went on trial with the Western Australian State Team before joining Perth Glory.

Sam Kerr made her debut at just 15 during the 2009 W-League season and her impact for the club was instant. Kerr won the Players’ Player and Goal of the Year awards for her performances during the season. She continued to excel, starting all 10 matches in the 2010-11 season and scoring three goals, including a brace against Adelaide United.

Moving Abroad to America

In 2013, Sam Kerr joined the Western New York Flash, making 19 starts in 21 appearances and scoring six goals. Despite reaching the final after defeating Sky Blue FC in the semi-finals, the Flash lost to Portland 2-0.

Kerr returned for the 2014 season and was praised by coach Aaran Lines for her speed, athleticism, and potential to become one of the best strikers globally.

She started all 20 matches, scoring 9 goals and earning the NWSL Player of the Week award for week 9. Following the season, Kerr was traded to Sky Blue FC for Elizabeth Eddy and a first-round pick in the 2015 NWSL College Draft, which the Flash used to draft Sam Mewis.

Sam Kerr’s Second Stint with Perth Glory

In August 2014, Sam Kerr returned to Perth Glory for a one-year deal along with five other Matildas players. She made an impact by scoring in several matches, including a double against Western Sydney Wanderers.

Despite missing some games, she finished the regular season strong with eight goals in the last four matches, including a hat-trick against Sydney FC. In the following season, Kerr scored the winning goal in the opening match but suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

Nevertheless, Perth extended her contract. In the 2016–17 season, Kerr scored ten goals, led her team to the Grand Final, and won the Julie Dolan Medal and the Penny Tanner Media MVP Award.

In 2018, she became the first marquee player in the W-League with a significant contract offer to stay in Perth. Kerr excelled in the 2018–19 season. She finished as the top goal scorer with 17 goals, including a crucial hat-trick in the semi-final to take her team to the Grand Final.

Sam Kerr’s Return to America

In 2015, Sam Kerr joined Sky Blue FC alongside teammate Caitlin Foord after their participation in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Kerr scored six goals in nine appearances, ranking first on the team. In the 2016 season, she made nine appearances, scoring five goals despite her national team commitments for the Rio Olympics.

Kerr was named NWSL Player of the Week for Week 18 for scoring crucial goals against the Orlando Pride. In 2017, Sam Kerr set a new NWSL record by scoring four goals in a single game, helping Sky Blue win 5–4 after trailing 3–0 at halftime.

At 23, she became the all-time leading goal scorer in NWSL history. Kerr won the NWSL Golden Boot and MVP award in 2017 after scoring a record-breaking 17 goals that season.

Winning the NSWL Golden Boot

In January 2018, Sam Kerr was traded to the Chicago Red Stars from Sky Blue FC in a three-team trade. She initially had a slow start in the 2018 season but picked up momentum. Sam Kerr scored five goals in August and won the NWSL Player of the Month award.

Kerr finished the season with 16 goals, winning the Golden Boot for the second consecutive year and earning a place in the NWSL Best XI. In 2019, Kerr and the Chicago Red Stars reached their first NWSL Championship but lost to North Carolina Courage.

Prior to the championship, Kerr was named the 2019 NWSL MVP, the first player to win the award twice. She also secured her third consecutive Golden Boot with 18 goals and five assists, despite missing games for the World Cup. Kerr received additional accolades, including Player of the Year by the NWSL Players Association.

She announced her consideration of moving to a European team at the end of the 2019 season, having received multiple offers.

Sam Kerr’s Chelsea Era

In November 2019, Chelsea Women’s Football Club announced the signing of Sam Kerr for the second half of the 2019–20 FA Women’s Super League (WSL) season on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Kerr debuted against Reading in January 2020 and scored her first goal against Arsenal two weeks later.

She won her first trophy with Chelsea in the League Cup Final against Arsenal after a shortened season due to COVID-19. Chelsea won the 2019–20 WSL title based on points per match. In August 2020, Kerr played a key role in Chelsea’s 2–0 win over Manchester City in the Women’s FA Community Shield.

Kerr secured her second WSL title during the 2020–21 season, scoring 21 goals in 22 games and winning the Golden Boot, becoming the first player to win it in three different leagues. Additionally, she helped Chelsea reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League final for the first time, but they were defeated by Barcelona.

Winning the WSL Golden Boot

During the 2021–22 WSL season, Sam Kerr continued to perform exceptionally well for Chelsea. She was nominated for the Barclays Player of the Month for September and signed a two-year contract extension, expressing her commitment to the club.

Kerr scored crucial goals, including the winning goal in a Champions League match and a hat-trick against Birmingham City, where she also provided an assist for Fran Kirby‘s milestone goal.

In the delayed FA Cup final against Arsenal, Kerr scored twice, earning Player of the Match and helping Chelsea secure the domestic quadruple. She ended the year as the leading goal scorer in the WSL with 23 goals and second in assists with 10.

More Accolades and Season-Ending Injury

Sam Kerr, upon returning to Chelsea after the Asian Cup in 2022, displayed exceptional goal-scoring prowess, netting 10 goals in 7 consecutive matches, a first for any Chelsea player.

Despite a loss to Manchester City in the League Cup final, Kerr’s contributions remained notable, including a brace against Leicester City and Reading in the Women’s Super League (WSL).

In April, she received multiple accolades, including the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year ahead of Vivianne Miedema and Lauren Hemp. Sam Kerr also won FA WSL April Player of the Month.

Sam Kerr concluded the season with 32 goals and 9 assists across all competitions, securing the Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Cup titles for Chelsea.

She was voted Chelsea Women’s Player of the Year and also earned the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, along with a spot in the PFA WSL Team of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Kerr retained the Golden Boot award for the second year running, with key goals like a late winner against Aston Villa and a well-taken volley against Manchester United.

Unfortunately, her season was cut short due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during training in January 2024, ruling her out for the remainder of the season.

International career

At age 15 in February 2009, Sam Kerr made her international debut for Australia as a substitute in a friendly against Italy, which ended in a 5-1 loss.

She scored her first international goal at 16 during the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup final against North Korea. Kerr contributed to Australia’s 1-1 draw and eventual victory in the penalty shootout, securing her first international trophy.

In May 2010, Kerr was named to the Matildas squad for the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which was also a qualifier for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

She scored in the group stage against South Korea and the opening goal in the final against North Korea. Australia won the title via a penalty shootout. Kerr also played in the 2010 Peace Queen Cup.

In 2011, at 17, Kerr was selected for Australia’s squad for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She debuted as a substitute in the first group-stage match against Brazil.

She started in the subsequent matches against Equatorial Guinea, which Australia won 3-2, and Norway, which they won 2-1. Australia advanced to the knockout stage but were defeated 3-1 by Sweden.

Winning the Inaugural Tournament of Nations

After injuring her knee in December 2014 and undergoing surgery, Sam Kerr worked hard with fitness coach Aaron Holt to recover in time for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

She played as Australia’s starting striker in their first group-stage match against the United States, which they lost 3-1. In the second group stage match, she helped Australia defeat Nigeria 2-0, despite being elbowed in the face, which resulted in a suspension for the Nigerian player.

Kerr also played in the 1-1 draw against Sweden. Australia finished second in their group, advancing to the round of 16 where they defeated Brazil 1-0. Kerr started in the quarterfinals, but Australia was defeated by Japan 1-0.

From 2016 to 2018, Kerr’s performance continued to shine. In July 2017, she was the top scorer at the inaugural Tournament of Nations in the United States. Kerr scored a hat-trick against Japan and a goal against Brazil, helping Australia win the tournament.

Her scoring streak began with this tournament, where she scored 11 goals in six games. Kerr was named the 2017 AFC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Sam Kerr Becomes the Captain of the Maltidas

In February 2019, Sam Kerr was named captain of the Matildas by new head coach Ante Milicic. In April, she was nominated for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award. During the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Kerr scored her first World Cup goal against Italy, though Australia lost 2–1.

In the second group stage match, Australia won 3–2 against Brazil with a controversial own goal involving Kerr. She scored four goals in a 4–1 win against Jamaica, becoming the first Australian to score a hat-trick at a World Cup.

Australia advanced to the knockout stage but were eliminated by Norway in a penalty shoot-out. Kerr’s five tournament goals were the fourth-highest overall behind Ellen White, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, who all scored six goals.

Playing at the Tokyo Summer Olympics

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, Australia was in a group with the United States, Sweden, and New Zealand. Sam Kerr scored in the opening game, leading to a 2-1 victory over New Zealand.

Sam Kerr scored twice in the second game against Sweden but missed a penalty, resulting in a 4-2 loss. In the quarter-finals against Great Britain, Kerr scored an equalizer in the 89th minute. She also added another goal in extra time to secure a 4-3 win, moving Australia to the semi-finals against Sweden.

In the semi-final, Kerr had a goal controversially disallowed, and Australia lost 1-0. In the bronze medal match against the United States, Kerr scored in a 4-3 defeat, becoming the all-time top scorer for the Matildas with 48 goals.

After the Olympics, Kerr earned her 100th cap in a match against the Republic of Ireland on 21 September. She then played two home friendly matches against Brazil in October, scoring her 49th international goal in the second match.

At the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Sam Kerr scored 5 goals in Australia’s opening match against Indonesia, surpassing Tim Cahill‘s Australian international goal-scoring record of 50 goals.

Sam Kerr achieved this in 105 matches, while Cahill took 108 matches. Despite Australia being eliminated in the quarter-finals by South Korea, Kerr won the Golden Boot, having scored 7 goals in 4 matches.

Injuries and the 2023 FIFA World Cup

In July 2023, Sam Kerr was named captain of the Matildas for her fourth World Cup, held in Australia. Due to a calf injury, she missed the opening match against Ireland and the first two group matches.

The Maltidas suffered a shock loss to the Super Falcons of Nigeria in their second group-stage match. The Super Falcon team featured the likes of Asisat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre and Chiamaka Nnadozie.

There were rumors that her injury was more severe than reported. Although she missed all three group games, she was available for the game against Canada, but the team won 4-0 without her.

Kerr made her first appearance in the tournament during the round of 16 match against Denmark, coming on in the 80th minute. She also played as a substitute in the quarter-final against France, scoring in the penalty shootout.

Australia reached the semi-finals for the first time, where they faced England. Kerr scored a stunning equalizer, her first goal of the tournament, but Australia lost 3-1. Her goal was highly acclaimed and nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award for 2023.

Missing the 2024 Paris Olympics

The Australia FA confirmed that captain Sam Kerr will miss the women’s Olympic football at the Paris Games due to a serious knee injury. The Chelsea striker suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a training camp in Morocco in January, making her participation in Paris highly doubtful.

According to the FA, “Attacker Amy Sayer (ACL) and forward Sam Kerr (ACL) remain on the sidelines with long-term injuries. Kerr and Sayer will continue their rehabilitation programmes in their home club environments and subsequently will not be available for selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

Abby Wambach’s Influence on Sam Kerr’s Career

Sam Kerr credits her time with the Western New York Flash as crucial in her career development. In 2013, while at the Flash, Kerr played alongside US soccer legend Abby Wambach, who was nearing retirement. Kerr highlighted Wambach’s significant influence on her, particularly off the field.

“Abby Wambach, the US legend, really inspired me,” Kerr said. “She impacted my life off the field more than on it, which might seem odd given her incredible playing skills. She was a fantastic teammate, someone I admired, and she was always willing to support her teammates.”

During their season together, Sam Kerr and Abby Wambach formed part of the Flash’s forward line, as Kerr began to establish herself internationally. Wambach, now retired, is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of the modern era, regardless of gender.

The Personal Life of Sam Kerr

Sam Kerr is engaged to American soccer player Kristie Mewis, with the engagement confirmed in a People magazine interview on November 9, 2023.

Kerr previously dated her former teammate Nikki Stanton. She supports the West Coast Eagles and was their number-one ticket holder in 2019 and 2020, and her brother, Daniel Kerr, is a former player for the team. The West Australian State Football Centre was named the Sam Kerr Football Centre on October 27, 2023.

Sam Kerr’s Brush with the Law

On January 30, 2023, Kerr was detained after an incident involving a taxi fare dispute and was later charged with racially aggravated harassment. She denies the charge and has pleaded not guilty.

Her lawyers have requested the charge be withdrawn due to an “exceptional delay” in prosecution. The media reported the charge in March 2024, and the trial is set for February 2025. Kerr did not inform Football Australia of the incident, which they learned about through media reports.

Sam Kerr has been prominently featured in media and advertising due to her achievements in women’s soccer. In 2013, she appeared in ESPN’s *Aussies Abroad* episode profiling four Australian national team players.

Cover of FIFA and other Endorsements

She has been featured in EA Sports’ FIFA video game series since FIFA 16 and graced the cover of the Australian FourFourTwo magazine in July 2011. In 2018, she was named a Game Changer by Vogue Australia and appeared on the Australian cover of FIFA 19. By 2020, Kerr was the second-highest rated female player in FIFA 21.

Kerr has endorsement deals with major brands like Nike, where she starred in commercials alongside famous athletes and showcased her trademark backflip. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Powerade.

In 2021, she published her first children’s book, *The Flip Out*, part of the “Kicking Goals” series. In July 2022, Kerr made history as the first female player on the global cover of FIFA 23.

Sam Kerr was also recognized as the world’s best women’s footballer during the FIFA 23 Women’s World Cup. In 2023, she co-starred in a commercial for Degree deodorant.

Conclusion

Sam Kerr’s journey from a promising young talent to an international superstar serves as an inspiration to athletes worldwide. The recent naming of the West Australian State Football Centre as the Sam Kerr Football Centre is a testament to her impact and legacy in Australian sports.

Her career is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for the game, leaving an indelible mark on the world of football. As she continues to make strides in her career, we are excited for what the future holds for the Maltidas Captain and top goalscorer.