CHICAGO – She returned. She conquered. She scored a hat-trick. Sam Kerr made her return to the NWSL a statement game for not just her, but for the team. Kerr’s dynamic play is always something to keep an eye on, but as last Sunday’s game against Orlando proved, Kerr is indispensable to the Red Stars offense. 

Chicago entered the game scoreless in their last three matches and lost all three games in her absence during the FIFA World Cup. In need of a boost, it only took Kerr seven minutes to score in her return. She wasn’t done there, as Kerr secured the hat-trick in just 55 minutes of play on Sunday, propelling the Red Stars to a 3-2 win and gave the team some needed positive momentum. 

In her last three NWSL games, Kerr has scored seven goals and leads the 2019 Golden Boot Race with nine goals this season. She has elevated every Red Stars player’s game since her return, including clicking with her international connection partner Yuki Nagasato again for her second goal last Sunday. The match that ignites the Chicago attack, Kerr will return to the pitch this Saturday against Sky Blue FC at SeatGeek Stadium.