1. Sam Kerr
From 3rd, to 2nd, to 1st. Kerr is in the top three for the third year in a row and for the first time is the number one player of the year. How to top a record-breaking 16 NWSL goals in 2018? Score 18. Kerr’s goal tally in the 2019 NWSL season was truly astounding and she was six goals clear of the next best opponent. Her partnership with Yuki Nagasato was a thing of beauty and the sublime nature of her movement, pace and intellect made so many of her goals look so siimple. Whether it was her two goals in a big win against North Carolina Courage, her four in one game against Jamaica at the World Cup or the hat-trick she scored against Orlando Pride a week after missing a penalty as Australia bowed out of the World Cup to silence any doubters, there were goals and class a plenty for Kerr throughout 2019. As rumours swirled of a new challenge for 2020, Kerr will start the new year in new surroundings with Chelsea in the FA WSL and it’s hard not to be excited about the prospect of seeing her in new terriroty at the absolute peak of her powers.
Ante Milicic, Australia head coach:
“For me it is no surprise that Sam has received this accolade from the football community. On and off the pitch, Sam is a leader who not only produces spectacular moments for club and country, but is committed to doing the type of work that often goes unnoticed. Her consistency throughout 2019 has been impressive, her goals to games ratio exceptional, her influence on matches significant. Sam’s drive to continuously evolve and improve her game, as evidenced by her recent move to Chelsea, is commendable, and I look forward to watching her progress. It is an honour to be her coach with Australia.”
| ⇐ 2. Lucy Bronze | Top 100 Female Footballers of 2019 ⇒ |
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