Chicago Red Stars and Matildas striker Sam Kerr has been named the NWSL Most Valuable Player for 2019, becoming the first player in the competition’s history to win the award a second time.
Goalscorer. Record breaker. MVP.@samkerr1 set the single-season goalscoring record with 18 and is the 2019 #NWSL MVP. pic.twitter.com/Muw1GoVGj0
— NWSL (@NWSL) October 25, 2019
This season’s award follows Kerr’s 2017 MVP honour – won while playing for Sky Blue – and her second-placed finish behind Portland midfielder Lindsey Horan in 2018.
Kerr scored a league-record 18 goals in 21 appearances for Chicago this season, while also finishing equal-fifth with five assists to help her side to its first-ever NWSL Championship match.
“I don’t do this by myself,” said Kerr at the NWSL awards ceremony.
“18 goals doesn’t just come from one player so thank you to my teammates. I love playing for Chicago. I love the girls, I love the team, and they allow me to be the best player I can be. This is a huge team effort and this all really means nothing unless we win on Sunday.”
Kerr received an incredible 64.8% of final-round votes, finishing well clear of North Carolina pair Debinha (12.1%) and Kristen Hamilton (8.5%), while Kerr’s teammate Yuki Nagasato finished fourth (8.2%) with Courage striker Lynn Williams in fifth (6.4%).
The first two-time MVP winner. @samkerr1 gives her reaction to earning the 2019 #NWSL MVP Award Presented by @budweiserusa. pic.twitter.com/iSfCxrfS48
— NWSL (@NWSL) October 25, 2019
“I love what I do and feel very lucky to be in the position I am. I just take it as I go, I’m still learning every day and there’s new challenges every day. But I just always be myself,” Kerr said.
