With every passing match, Gotham FC striker Sam Kerr is looking sharper and sharper.
The Australian ace is inching closer to the world-beating form that allowed her to capture a combined eight Golden Boots at club and international levels.
In last Friday’s 2-1 home victory over the Kansas City Current, Kerr scored the match-winning goal in the 41st minute after winger Jaedyn Shaw’s fancy footwork drew the attention of several Current defenders.
Kerr slid to an open patch of grass in the box and first-timed a shot into the back of the net with her left foot.
It was a significant goal in Kerr’s career. She became the first player in NWSL history to record 80 career regular-season goals, and it was also her 31st regular-season goal for Gotham FC, surpassing Esther González‘s previous club record of 30.
Kerr’s Influence in Gotham’s Attack Continues To Grow
Shaw has been encouraged by the chemistry she’s developing with the two-time NWSL MVP.
“It’s always great to have a world-class player on your team,” Shaw said of Kerr following the win. “It’s been really fun to just build chemistry with her, and I feel like she’s just always in the right spot, so I don’t even have to look most times.
“I feel like the chemistry is just growing between really all of us, and especially me and her as well. We’re just going to continue to build off of it and just go over things with each other and keep growing in that aspect.”
Kerr Demands More From Herself
The best players in the world often possess perfectionist traits. Back on July 24, Kerr scored her first goal since returning to Gotham in a 2-2 draw away to Portland.
The 32-year-old striker knew that she was capable of reaching a higher standard.
“I’m obviously happy to score and help the team, but I expect more from myself,” Kerr admitted. “So I wasn’t too happy with how I played. Quite disappointing, to be honest.”
But experienced forward Midge Purce sensed that the goals and world-class attacking contributions would soon come from Kerr. Maybe you could call it Purce’s “Spidey sense” given her love of Marvel comics and movies.
“I’m a huge Marvel fan, so I was really excited when I saw her coming on,” Purce said of Kerr following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Seattle Reign FC on July 18. “I just had this Marvel moment. We’re bringing on the Hulk! It was just amazing.
“She came on; she brought up so much energy. I think she made some chances out of nothing, which gets the momentum going and helps the team really believe. She was really critical in build-up play. So she’s fantastic. You can’t have a better addition.”
Kerr Is Getting Closer To Recapturing Her World-Class Best
Fast-forward to last Friday’s win at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Kerr netted the game-winner that extended the Bats’ unbeaten run to eight.
Her 11 touches inside the opposition box were the most of any player on the pitch, and her four shots tied teammate Rose Lavelle for the game high.
Kerr has now scored three goals in seven regular-season appearances (five starts) for Gotham this season. It feels like the three-time NWSL Golden Boot winner is rounding into form, and she isn’t far away from top gear.
“First and foremost, you see a player like Sam Kerr on the opposition team sheet, that sends a message psychologically,” Gotham FC acting head coach Shaun Harris said last Friday. “She’s a dangerous player. She’s a dangerous threat. You can’t give her an inch, or she’s going to do what she’s known for. It really helps, and it gives confidence to the rest of the team.
“If Sam’s getting jammed up or they’re doubling her or something, it just frees up someone else. We have the talent across the board to be able to punish them. Getting to play with some of the best players in the world, I know that the players really appreciate it. The levels have gone up across the board, and I think it’s just how can we maintain it. Sam is only just getting started. We haven’t seen the best of her yet.”
Next up for Kerr and the Bats is a visit to BMO Stadium to face Angel City FC on Sunday. The August 23 match is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on ION.
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