World-class striker Sam Kerr is set to make her return to the NWSL under the bright lights of Citi Field in Wednesday’s Queens Classic.
The 32-year-old rejoined Gotham FC on June 29, but she has yet to appear for the Bats due to an NWSL rule that prevented her from being registered until July 14.
Now that Kerr is available for selection, the all-time leading NWSL regular season goalscorer will be thrown straight into Gotham’s heated rivalry with the Washington Spirit in front of a crowd exceeding 40,000 fans.
“I feel really lucky that that’s going to be my first game coming back at Citi Field with a full stadium, back at a club where I had so many great memories,” Kerr said. “Hopefully, it sets me up for a nice future back at the club again.”
Bright Lights Await Kerr at the Queens Classic
The highly anticipated match at Citi Field takes place across the street from Gotham’s future home, Etihad Park. Since Kerr departed Gotham FC’s predecessor, Sky Blue FC, in January 2018, the club has progressed in giant leaps on and off the pitch.
“It kind of feels like a full circle moment to me,” Kerr explained. “I feel like last time I left Gotham, we were Sky Blue at the time. We were playing in front of a couple of thousand people. This is the type of stuff that we were fighting for, fighting to play in front of sold-out stadiums with the best facilities, with the best players, with wages that we deserved.”
“So I feel like this is like a full circle moment for me. There’s so many people that have done so many amazing things over the last six years while I’ve been gone that have allowed me to come back and kind of live out my American dream.”
Mandy Freeman Remembers Kerr’s First Stint
Veteran defender Mandy Freeman was an NWSL rookie when Kerr played her final season for Sky Blue FC in 2017 at the 5,000-seat Yurcak Field at Rutgers University.
“I was just talking to Sam about it,” Freeman said during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “Playing at Yurcak Field versus now playing at Citi Field, it’s just amazing to be able to witness the rise from Sky Blue to Gotham and be a part of that journey.
“[Sam] is a real jokester, so she definitely adds to the vibe. We have a really good culture amongst the players and the club, and so she’s been a great addition and has been able to fit in seamlessly. We reminisce on those old days and have a greater appreciation for where we are now.”
Kerr scored 17 goals in 22 total appearances for Sky Blue during the 2017 season. Freeman appreciated the advice that she received as an NWSL rookie from Kerr, who understood what was required to make it as a pro, having done so in Australia at the tender age of 15.
“She had a lot of advice to give and a lot of wisdom to give,” Freeman recalled. “I remember staying after she probably doesn’t remember this, but staying after one training, and she was helping with defending long balls and defending crosses, because as we all know, she’s excellent in the air.
“So just having that little bit of guidance that year was really helpful. Having her back again, she just fits in so seamlessly with the team personality-wise and playing-wise. It’s just been great having her back.”
Sarah Schupansky Welcomes Kerr’s World-Class Addition
It hasn’t taken long for Kerr to make a good impression on her new teammates. Midfielder Sarah Schupansky was a teenager when Kerr departed Sky Blue in 2018 and is grateful for the opportunity to train alongside the two-time NWSL MVP.
“She’s just an incredible person as well as a player,” Schupansky said last Thursday. “She’s only been in a couple of training sessions. So I’m super eager to see more out of her when it comes to the soccer side of things.
“I’ve only heard great things. So getting to play with her is a real privilege. She’s been so kind, and she fits into our group seamlessly. Credit to the club for being able to facilitate these types of moves and bring such quality players into the environment consistently. It’s really an honor to play alongside somebody who’s so well regarded just in the sport in general.”
It’s likely that Kerr will pick up where she left off and continue causing problems for NWSL defenses as she did for the Western New York Flash, Sky Blue and the Chicago Red Stars.
Whether she starts or is summoned from the bench on Wednesday, a big roar will echo inside the walls of Citi Field when she takes the pitch.
Wednesday’s showdown match between Gotham and Washington is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with ESPN carrying a national television broadcast.
More Gotham FC Coverage
Enjoyed this story? Follow us for the latest updates! | Bluesky | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Leave a Reply