If anyone thought Sam Kerr’s goalscoring momentum would have to slow down at some stage, they have - so far at least - been seriously mistaken. Quite the contrary has proved the case, in fact, with the Australian striker maintaining her spectacular form in USA’s National Women’s Soccer League following the Matildas exit at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.

Kerr’s extraordinary record of close to a goal-a-game now stretches over a period of nearly three years. The 25-year-old has swept up a catalogue of records and milestones in that period for hometown side Perth Glory, NWSL outfits Sky Blue FC and, more recently, Chicago Red Stars, as well as on the international stage. Her eye-catching celebratory cartwheel seems sure to have many more outings in the future too.

Kerr’s diverse attacking skill-set is constantly on display. From perfectly-timed runs behind the defence, to predatory skills in the penalty area, and a rare Tim Cahill-esque heading ability, Kerr seems to have it all.

It came as little surprise, therefore, when Kerr was included on the 12-woman shortlist for The Best FIFA Women’s Player award for a third successive year. The 2019 award, which will be held in Milan on 23 September, is based on achievements during the period from 25 May 2018 to 7 July 2019.

Kerr’s goalscoring streak (since 2017) Australia: 28 goals in 31 appearances NWSL: 46 goals in 56 appearances W-League: 39 goals in 36 appearances

Kerr has fired home 11 times for the Matildas since July last year, including strikes against Brazil, Japan, USA and her first-ever Women’s World Cup goal against Italy. The highlight, however, was a clinical record-breaking four-goal haul against Jamaica at France 2019. Only Michelle Akers (USA, 1991) and Alex Morgan (USA, 2019) have scored more goals in a Women’s World Cup match.

In the process, the newly-named Matildas’ skipper became the first Australian to score a hat-trick at a senior World Cup. Lisa De Vanna’s national record is suddenly only 11 goals away.

Already with two consecutive NWSL top-scorer awards in her keep, Kerr is firmly on track for a third, with her current tally standing at 13 goals from 14 outings. Her NWSL career goal haul is already some 50 per cent higher than the competition's second-best all-time scorer. Winner of the 2017 NWSL Player of the Year, Kerr has also comfortably tallied more Player of the Week awards than any of her rivals.

Kerr’s W-League record is even more startling, having returned just over a goal-a-game in each of the past three seasons, collecting two top goalscorer awards in the process. With exquisite timing, Kerr moved to the top of the competition’s all-time scoring chart during the most recent season, having been named as the league’s first marquee signing, a status which allows the player to sit outside the club’s salary cap.