Sam Kerr: Unleashing the Extraordinary Legacy that Ignites Australia's Women's World Cup Journey
Sam Kerr: A powerful force for Australia and Chelsea, inspiring a legacy that transcends boundaries With the Women's World Cup 2023 approaching, she aims to propel the women's game to new heights in her homeland Brace for 'Big game Sam' as the Matildas kick off against Republic of Ireland on July 20
Sam Kerr has already become a globally recognized figure in the realm of football. Her image graces billboards, advertising campaigns, and even virtual entertainment, all while she gears up to lead the Australian team in their home World Cup. Alongside her determination to emerge victorious in the tournament, she is fully conscious of the immense potential to establish a sporting legacy that countless individuals can only fantasize about.
Before turning 30, she has accomplished numerous milestones. In her home countries of Australia and England, she has triumphed in various competitions, earning the prestigious Golden Boot in both nations, as well as in the USA. Additionally, she has received multiple Player of the Season accolades and currently holds the record for most goals scored in the NWSL.
On the international stage, Kerr has proven to be a prolific scorer for Australia, holding the title of her country's all-time leading goal scorer. Notably, she became the first Australian player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup and is recognized as one of the top-rated players by FIFA.
In addition to leading Australia to a World Cup victory on their home turf, this solidifies the case for Kerr as one of the top players of her generation. However, Kerr recognizes that the impact of her accomplishments extends beyond sporting triumphs, as she aspires to leave a lasting legacy for more profound reasons.
"Kerr expressed her desire for the Matildas to experience a Cathy Freeman moment, and her words became the catalyst for Australia's triumph over England, breaking their remarkable 30-game unbeaten streak in April.
Freeman's unforgettable victory in the 400m event at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, carrying the enormous expectations of an entire nation, remains an iconic moment. It not only brought the country together but also had a profound impact on encouraging participation, surpassing any promises made by politicians."
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"My generation is all too familiar with Cathy Freeman, the iconic athlete whose victorious race is etched in our memories," Kerr expressed. "I firmly believe that the Matildas possess the potential to seize a similar defining moment and build upon it for future success."
Australia will kick off the World Cup in Sydney against the Republic of Ireland on July 20 in front of over 80,000 passionate fans. Kerr envisions this as a significant moment for the game to finally receive the financial recognition it deserves. She highlights the stark contrast in funding between AFL, rugby, and women's football, emphasizing the need for investment in order to provide girls with the opportunity to play and pursue their goals in the sport.
Kerr candidly addresses the challenges confronting women's soccer in Australia, which is a predicament found worldwide. A remarkable display on the international platform might bring about a transformation in the sport's status beyond Australia and New Zealand.
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Kerr added: "That's the legacy we want to leave. That we inspire the nation, move the nation to believe in women's football and believe in the Matildas."
James Johnson, the chief executive of Football Australia, has granted Kerr the freedom to express herself in ways that many corporate leaders would not. According to Johnson, Kerr is not only a phenomenal athlete but also a remarkable individual who advocates for important social causes and enjoys a great deal of respect in Australia.
The Matildas will not only deliver superb performances on the field, but they will also make significant statements beyond it. When players are given permission to voice their views, particularly on LGBTQI matters which hold great importance to the team, they will channel their efforts into their on-field performances.
'Big game Sam'
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Sam Kerr scored against England in a friendly earlier this year to condemn the Lionesses to their first defeat under Sarina Wiegman
Kerr's impact is not only limited to off the pitch, but she also shows her ability to perform exceptionally in critical moments on the field. Within the last two WSL seasons, she rose to the occasion when Chelsea required victories in order to secure the title on the final day.
Who was the scorer of the winning goal in the FA Cup final? And who caused England's first defeat under Sarina Wiegman with their single goal? You guessed correctly - Kerr.
Moreover, Kerr's impact extends beyond the field.
Drawing 0-0 at home to an unfancied Czech Republic in February, Kerr's brutally honest half-time team talk gave her side the rocket it needed.
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Sam Kerr scored for Chelsea in the Women's FA Cup final - one of the many big goals she has provided since being at the club
Australia's head coach, Tony Gustavsson, recalls Kerr's words to her fellow Matildas: "Imagine if this were the inaugural match of the World Cup, with a crowd of 80,000."
"Do not panic, do not feel overwhelmed. Have faith in the strategy, have faith in the progression, have faith in your teammates."
The Matildas went on to win the game 4-0.
"She can be the passion and the heart of the team when needs be and drive people, demand and be that voice," admits Gustavsson.
WSL legacy already in place
Despite Kerr's current focus on Australia, she enters the tournament fully aware of the profound impact she has already had on the game in England.When she joined Chelsea in late 2019, the Women's Super League had a scarcity of high-profile international talents.
Her big-money contract was viewed as a risk by some at a time when Chelsea were attempting to wrestle back the title from Arsenal.
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Sam Kerr helped Chelsea to a fourth successive WSL title in May
Chelsea have emerged as the unrivaled force in English football, triumphantly clinching four straight WSL championships and having the honor of featuring in a prestigious Champions League final. Coach Emma Hayes effusively expressed her unyielding loyalty to the team's standout player, Kerr, as she propelled Chelsea to an emphatic victory on the season's climactic day, reaffirming their unmatched dominance in the professional era.
In the last three seasons in the WSL, Kerr tops the charts in a number of attacking metrics.
She has scored an impressive total of 53 goals, all of which were from open play and not penalties. In addition, she holds the record for the most number of shots with 233, with 110 of them being on target. She has also converted 35 big chances, showcasing her exceptional scoring ability.
Furthermore, she has excelled in aerial duels, winning a remarkable 132 of them. Alongside her goal-scoring prowess, she has also contributed significantly to her team's success by providing 16 assists, placing her in the top eight for assists in the Women's Super League (WSL) over the past three seasons.
There is a difference in Kerr's heatmaps for the last few years too.
During the 2020/21 season, Kerr predominantly operated on the left-hand side of the field, seldom venturing towards the right. She had a considerable presence within the 18-yard box, showcasing her strategic positioning.
However, in the following year, she shifted her focus towards the right-hand side, considerably reducing her involvement within the box. Instead, she maintained a central position on the field.
In the 2022/23 season, her presence in the penalty area was notably extensive, with her width encompassing a significant portion of the box. She predominantly remained centrally positioned outside the box, with minimal time spent on either side, slightly favoring the left side. Additionally, she has had a significant impact on the market for accomplished strikers in England, as well as Australian players in the WSL.
Vivianne Miedema, Alessia Russo, and Bunny Shaw have recently signed new contracts that highlight the significant influence of Kerr's goals and impressive performances on their respective clubs. Forward players in the league are now earning higher salaries than any other position. Moreover, it is worth noting that twelve of Kerr's teammates in Australia's provisional World Cup squad were part of the WSL last season, further exemplifying the remarkable impact she has on every team she plays with.
What is the World Cup schedule?
The group stage is scheduled to commence on July 20 and will extend over a span of two weeks, culminating on August 3. During this time, the top-performing teams from each group will advance to the round of 16, which is set to occur from August 5 to August 8.The quarter-finals, set to occur on August 11 and 12, will take place in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney respectively. Following these matches, the first semi-final will be held in Auckland on August 15, while the second semi-final will occur at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on August 16. Lastly, the final match will also be held at the Accor Stadium on August 20.
A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.
