Sam Kerr netted twice, one of them a scorcher, as Australia downed China 3-0 in Melbourne.

Westfield Matildas star Raso riding high after stellar 2017

2017 could hardly have gone any better for Brisbane Roar and Westfield Matildas star Hayley Raso. 

The attacker has entrenched herself in the Australian national team, playing nine times this year to take her international tally to 22 caps.

On top of that, Raso was part of the Portland Thorns side that won the National Women's Soccer League in the USA.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

“It was amazing - it was basically a dream come true,” Raso told matildas.footballaustralia.com.au of her title win.

“I got to play each week and we ended up winning the whole thing.

“It was just so incredible for me.

“In my first season we fell a little bit short, so going into my second season with Portland we were all on the same page and knew what we wanted to achieve.

“It was honestly one of the most amazing feelings and it was incredible to hold up that trophy at the end,” she said.

A FAN FAVOURITE

The 23-year old played 24 times for the Thorns in their championship-winning campaign, scoring seven goals and notching three assists.

Those numbers and her energetic all-round performances saw Portland's supporters vote Raso their player of the year.

“I was really honoured to receive that award,” Raso said.

“It's nice to be recognised by the fans for the work you're doing and to know the work you're putting in is being noticed.

“I just went there wanting to improve and wanting to get better and I think I did that.

“Coming back into the national team, that's given me a lot of confidence and I'm just hoping to continue that in the years to come.”

Hayley Raso