Matildas watch: Kerr double not enough in battle of the Aussies

A pair of first half goals from Matildas superstar Sam Kerr wasn't enough for Chicago Red Stars as the Portland Thorns, featuring Australian players Hayley Raso, Ellie Carpenter and Caitlin Foord, fought back to snatch a 2-2 draw.

Sam Kerr

Chicago star striker Sam Kerr (R) breaks away from Portland defender Emily Sonnett (L) Source: NWSL

Kerr was in inspired form for Chicago as she opened the scoring with a spectacular solo effort before heading home just before the break to give her side a 2-0 lead. 

However, it was a different story in the second stanza as her Matalidas teammates Foord, Carpenter and Raso took charge playing a big role in their Portland side scoring two second half goals to secure a point.
The two strikes from Kerr took her tally to 12 for the season and catapult her ahead of Portland's Lindsey Horan in the race for the NWSL golden boot.

With three games to go in the regular season, Kerr's Chicago remain in the playoff hunt in fourth position while Portland remain two points ahead of them in third.

Kerr wasn't the only Australian player to find the back of the net in the NWSL, with Kyah Simon scoring for Houston Dash during their 4-0 win against Washington Spirit in Houston.



Simon pounced on the ball in the penalty area before firing past the keeper in the 84th minute to net Houston's fourth goal of the night and wrap up the win.

It was also a big performance from fellow Australian and Simon's Dash teammate Clare Polkinghorne who started the match in central defence and ensured her team kept a clean sheet in an impressive 90 minute display.
In other NWSL action, Katrina Gorry was an unused substitute for Utah Royals as they played out a 2-2 draw.

Matildas stars Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy both started the match for Orlando Pride as they took on league leaders North Carolina Courage.

However, 22 minutes into the contest with the scores still locked at 0-0, the game was postponed after wild storms near North Carolina's Sahlen Stadium forced officials to stop the match.
Both teams will return to the stadium on Monday (AEST) and the match will resume from the point it was postponed. 

Matildas were also in action in Europe with Tameka Butt scoring the winner for her side Klepp as they won 1-0 against Lyn in the Norwegian Toppserien.

Finally, In Sweden Elise Kellond-Knight played 90 minutes for club side Hammarby as they were defeated 2-0 by Eskilstuna United in the Damallsvenskan.

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3 min read
Published 19 August 2018 3:44pm
By Nick Houghton

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