Westfield Matildas forwards dominate opening weekend of NWSL

Good news if you're a Westfield Matildas fan; Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord were both brilliant in the opening round of National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) over the weekend.

In the type of news many were hoping to hear in the lead-up to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, the two lethal attackers hit the back of the net for their respective clubs.

The likes of Ellie Carpenter and Clare Polkinghorne were also in action across the weekend, while Elise Kellond-Knight made her first NWSL appearance in unusual circumstances.

KERR-FECT START: Kerr strikes on NWSL return as Red Stars snatch a draw at Courage
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MORE: Your complete guide to Westfield Matildas stars playing in the 2019 NWSL

Playing for Chicago Red Stars, Kerr netted the first goal of the 2019 NWSL season with her side's only shot on target for the match, a 1-1 draw with reigning Champions and 2018 NWSL Shield holders North Carolina Courage.

The all-time leading goalscorer in both the NWSL and Westfield W-League, Kerr used her pace to break enemy lines and latch onto Brisbane Roar star Yuki Nagasato's pass, before showing poise and composure to dribble past Courage keeper Stephanie Labbé and finishing neatly.

Kerr nearly scored a ridiculous winner in the 93rd-minute too, seeing her volley at the back post bounce off the crossbar, onto the line and back out.

sHoCKeD.

 A night of firsts for Foord

Caitlin Foord had herself a day out when Portland Thorns travelled to Florida to take on Orlando Pride, earning a goal and an assist in her side's 2-0 win.

Opening the scoring in the 45th minute, Foord was teed up magnificently by teammate Tobin Heath, side-footing past Orlando stop-stopper Ashlyn Harris.

The Sydney FC star later returned the favour to Heath, firing a low cross in from the right that was met with a deft back-heel flick from the American.

Both the goal and assist were firsts for Foord in her injury-interrupted NWSL career, and social media certainly approved of her match-winning impact.

Kellond-Knight shines in NWSL debut

When Kellond-Knight entered the field in the 26th minute for injured Melbourne City teammate Jasmyne Spencer, the Westfield Matildas star embraced the opportunity with both hands.

'KK' was lively throughout the encounter as Reign FC nearly stunned Houston Dash, in a match that finished 1-1.

Playing for Houston, Clare Polkinghorne was attempting to keep Kellond-Knight's crosses out. 'Polks' played the entire 90 minutes in an entertaining clash.

Another to play a full 90 minutes on the weekend was Ellie Carpenter. The 18-year-old Portland defender helped keep a clean sheet against the likes of Orlando's Marta, drawing plenty of plaudits from fans watching the action.

 

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