Aussies Abroad: Kerr rescues Red Stars in dying seconds

Chicago Red Stars' National Women's Soccer League title hopes were fading away, but Sam Kerr came to the rescue.

The Westfield Matildas goal machine turned provider earlier on Thursday (AEST) to set up Chicago's match-winning goal in the dying seconds of their NWSL clash with Alanna Kennedy's Orlando Pride.

With 19 stoppage time seconds remaining, the Australian captain's delivery was right on the money for Casey Short to crash home a header, and finally beat Pride 'keeper Ashlyn Harris.

Harris had previously denied Chicago at every turn, including a remarkable one-on-one stop from Kerr midway through the second half.

But Short's 95th minute match-winner gifted the Red Stars a 1-0 win, one that keeps their title hopes alive - just.

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

That's because North Carolina Courage hit six of the best in an incredible 6-0 demolition of Portland Thorns.

The reigning double-winners entered the top-of-the-table fixture two points behind Hayley Raso, Ellie Carpenter and Caitlin Foord's Thorns, but are now in pole position to clinch silverware again after producing the ultimate statement of intent at Providence Park.

Lynn Williams hit a hat-trick while Crystal Dunn, Debinha and Kristen Hamilton got in on the act which puts North Carolina one point ahead of Portland and two ahead of Chicago with two matches in hand on both.

Matildas-Chile-match


Meanwhile, on the west coast of Sweden, Emily Gielnik's Bayern Munich picked up a priceless 2-1 victory away to Goteborg in their UEFA Champions League Round of 32 first leg.

Gielnik signed for the German heavyweights in August and made an impressive debut in the club's 5-0 German Cup win over Eintracht Frankfurt on the weekend.

She was an unused substitute this morning as Mandy Islacker's strike in the third minute of injury time - her second of the match - cancelled out Elin Rubensson's late penalty, giving Bayern the advantage ahead of the second leg on the morning of Thursday, September 26 (AEST).

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