CHICAGO – The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced the nominees for their annual Women’s Footballer of the Year award, with Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr named one of the five finalists.

Sam Kerr’s 2018 was electric, winning the Golden Boot in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the U.S. and Australia’s Westfield W-League.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs8sp50CDlA

Kerr’s first season in Chicago didn’t begin until week six, but even after missing the first five games of the season, Kerr managed to win her second-consecutive NWSL Golden Boot, scoring 16 goals in 19 games with the Red Stars, helping Chicago to their fourth consecutive playoff appearance.  Three of her goals were game-winners and she managed to score against every team in the league. She is the first and only player in NWSL to win the top scorer award on two occasions.

Against Sky Blue FC on July 7, Kerr scored a historic hat-trick. Her second goal of the game was her 50th in the NWSL, making her the first player to reach that mark. The forward didn’t slow down to kick off the 2019 season with the Red Stars as Kerr scored the lone goal for Chicago in a 1-1 tie against North Carolina last Saturday. Kerr currently sits at an outstanding 60 NWSL goals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekn5C3U4O0A

After the NWSL season, Kerr returned to Perth Glory, becoming the W-League’s first ever marquee signing. The marquee title was more than worthy for the Aussie, who scored 13 goals on the campaign, including another historic hat-trick. Her three goals in the semifinal not only propelled her side to the Grand Final but was also the first hat-trick in the history of the W-League playoffs. Across both the NWSL and W-League campaigns, Kerr scored 33 goals, more than twice as many as any other player who participated in both seasons.

Kerr was made the captain of Australia in February and led them to their first Cup of Nations. Sitting sixth in the FIFA rankings, Australia is a top contender in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Voting for the award is open. Click here to vote and read more about Kerr.