NWSL Wrap: Kerr stars in battle with Westfield Matildas teammate

Sam Kerr provided an assist to help Chicago Red Stars to a vital win over Katrina Gorry’s Utah Royals in an entertaining National Women’s Soccer League clash on Sunday (AEST).

Elsewhere, a couple of Westfield Matildas helped Portland Thorns record a huge three points, while it was a tough outing in the top-of-the-table clash for two other Aussies.

READ: Westfield Matildas star's stunning goal in NWSL

Check out all the news in our NWSL wrap.

CHICAGO RED STARS vs UTAH ROYALS

Two second-half goals in the space of eight minutes has seen the Red Stars come away with a 2-0 win over the in-form Royals.

After Kathleen Naughton gave Chicago the lead just after the hour mark, Sam Kerr did her thing to help her side ice the result with 20 minutes to go.

The Westfield Matildas striker was sent free down the right, dribbling the ball at a retreating defence and once she got into the box cut the ball back for Vanessa Di Bernardo to score.

Both Kerr and Katrina Gorry – who started in midfield for Utah – played the full game in a result which has seen Chicago leapfrog the Royals into the top four.

SEATTLE REIGN vs NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

The top-of-the-table clash between the Reign and Courage in Seattle went the way of the visitors, coming from a goal down to win 4-1.

Steph Catley and Lydia Williams both played full games for Seattle and were involved in the first major talking point of the match inside eight minutes.

Catley was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area, gifting Courage a penalty, but Westfield Matildas keeper Williams saved Lynn Williams’ shot with a superb stop down low to her left.

Just 10 minutes later Seattle then took the lead through Megan Oyster, but that’s as good as it got for the hosts.

Williams made up for her penalty miss by scoring the equaliser before a brace to Crystal Dunn and another goal from Merritt Mathias capped a big win for the runaway leaders.

While the Courage has an 11-point lead at the top, Seattle have dropped to equal fourth after the heavy defeat.

HOUSTON DASH vs PORTLAND THORNS

There were four Westfield Matildas in action in Houston, with Clare Polkinghorne’s NWSL ending in a 3-1 defeat against the Thorns.

Polkinghorne started in midfield for the Dash alongside fellow Aussie Kyah Simon, while Ellie Carpenter and Hayley Raso both featured for Portland.

In an entertaining start to the match, both sides found the net inside the first 12 minutes.

Tobin Heath gave Portland the lead on nine minutes, only for the Dash to equalise soon after, with Simon playing a key role in the goal.

It was Simon’s low cross which bounced around the Thorns box, eventually falling to Sofia Huerta to finish it off.

Portland regained the lead before the break through Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, before they made the result safe seven minutes from time through Christine Sinclair.

The Thorns’ win sees them jump into the top four, while Houston are stranded in seventh, five points outside the finals places.