2: Sam Kerr

The Australian forward Kerr was once again one of the game’s most prolific scorers in 2018, topping the NWSL charts for the second season in a row with 16 goals after swapping Sky Blue FC for Chicago Red Stars at the start of the year. Kerr’s year began in her home country with a hat-trick for Perth Glory against Canberra United before she returned to the US. She scored three braces during the course of the NWSL season plus a hat-trick against her former club, helping the Red Stars reach the play-offs, where they lost 2-0 to the eventual champions North Carolina Courage. At international level she was once again the Matildas’ talisman during a year in which they just missed out on the Asian Cup, losing 1-0 to Japan in the final. Three goals at that tournament contributed to an overall tally for club and country of 29 for the year.

Craig Harrington, Chicago Red Stars assistant manager:

“She can do everything because of her mentality and how she is as a professional. She can achieve all that she wants. Her mentality is always collective. Sam has scored a lot of goals for us last season but her mentality is to help the team, work for the team, and that is what makes her such a special player.”

⇐ 3. Ada Hegerberg

1. Pernille Harder ⇒