Matildas star Sam Kerr celebrated her return to the United States National Women's Soccer League with a victory on Saturday. The match, played at Citi Field, saw Gotham FC defeat the Washington Spirit in front of a crowd exceeding 42,000 fans. Kerr entered the game in the 64th minute and was cheered on by her wife, American soccer player Kristie Mewis, as her team secured a 1-0 win.
The 32-year-old has recently overcome a significant injury, having undergone ACL surgery. Despite this challenging rehabilitation period, Kerr expressed her anticipation for a new chapter in the league where her career initially gained prominence.
"It's weird, honestly," Kerr said. "I spent most of the start of my career here [with Sky Blue/Gotham], and then to go to Chelsea and be in Europe for so long, it's just so different."
The attendance for Kerr's comeback marked a significant contrast to her early days in the league, when she played for a club that used a stadium with a capacity of only 5,000.
"In many ways this is like a full circle moment with Sam Kerr coming here and being able to experience this on her first night," said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman.
Kerr's return follows her marriage to fellow footballer Kristie Mewis on New Year's Eve 2025 in Perth. The couple first met during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and publicly confirmed their relationship in 2021. They have since become one of women's football's most recognized couples.
