Aussies Abroad Preview: Kerr aims to make history against former club

Sam Kerr stands on the brink of National Women's Soccer League history.

And the Westfield Matildas star could etch her name in the record books yet again this weekend against a club with whom she holds legendary status: Sky Blue FC.

Kerr scored a league record 17 goals in 2017 with Sky Blue, based in New Jersey, winning the NWSL Most Valuable Player and her first Golden Boot in America in that season.

The 26-year-old currently tops the scoring charts with 15 goals, two shy of the 17 she registered with Sky Blue two years ago.

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Matildas-Chile-match


Her nearest competitor is North Carolina Courage forward Lynn Williams, who shot to 10 goals courtesy of a hat-trick against Portland Thorns on Thursday morning.

Of course, all focus for the Australian skipper will be on winning an important three points for the Red Stars, who trail leaders North Carolina by two points.

However, the stakes for Kerr and Chicago will be raised when they arrive at Yurcak Field on Monday morning, 7:00am, given that reigning double winners Courage have two matches in hand.

Kerr was denied - but ultimately had the last laugh in this morning's NWSL clash
Kerr leads the NWSL Golden Boot charts with 15

North Carolina may be favourites to retain their crown, but there are several Westfield Matildas who may yet have a say on where the destination of the 2019 title heads.

The first in line is Alanna Kennedy, whose Orlando Pride team travel to the league leaders on Sunday, 9:00am.

Pride's Final series ambitions have long since faltered away - the new target for the bottom-placed Orlando side is to avoid the wooden spoon.

But the hunt for a Final series spot is still very much alive for Amy Harrison, Chloe Logarzo and Elise Kellond-Knight of Washington Spirit.

Spirit are priming for the visit of Reign FC, the team of Westfield Matildas vice-captain Steph Catley, ahead of Sunday morning's 9:30am kick off.

Steph Catley
Steph Catley's Reign FC are currently fifth on the ladder

Catley's side are currently fifth, one point away from fourth-placed Utah Royals, with Washington a further six points away from the Royals, but with a game in hand.

Kyah Simon's Houston Dash, meanwhile, will likely need to beat the fourth-placed Royals on Saturday morning (kick off 10:30am) in order to keep their top four hopes alive.

The Dash, now in seventh position, are nine points off from Utah prior to their meeting at the BBVA Compass Stadium.

And in Europe...

In Spain, Alex Chidiac and Atletico Madrid entertain Sevilla at home on Sunday evening at 9:00pm.

Chidiac was an unused substitute in Madrid's 3-2 Champions League victory over Serbian Super Liga powerhouse Spartak Subotica on Friday morning.

The reigning league champions got off the mark with a 1-0 victory over Sporting Huelva last Sunday.

Emily Gielnik and Bayern Munich are also aiming to hit the ground running after their midweek Champions League exploits. 

They face Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday evening at 10:00pm, after beating Swedish side Goteborg 2-1 on Thursday morning.

Lisa De Vanna, meanwhile, faces Florentia on Sunday evening at 11:00pm. De Vanna made her debut for Fiorentina in a 4-0 Champions League loss to Arsenal on Friday morning.

GET EXCITED: Westfield Matildas to play Chile in two-match series in November
REMEMBER: The last time the Westfield Matildas played Chile

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