Football

Sam Kerr Deserves Finalist Spot for FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year

Going on the finalist decision in FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, it seems like FIFA doesn’t pay much attention to women’s soccer.

Sam Kerr Deserves Finalist Spot for FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year

Sam Kerr
Samantha Kerr of Australia controls the ball during the women’s international match between the Australian Matildas and Brazil at Pepper Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. – Getty Images

If they were, Samantha Kerr would be a finalist for the award this year. Not Carli Lloyd.

Making a Case for Samantha Kerr

Sam Kerr
Samantha Kerr #20 of Sky Blue FC takes a shot around Brittany Taylor #13 of Western New York Flash during the first half at Sahlen’s Stadium on July 19, 2015 in Rochester, New York. – Getty Images

Kerr has been an unstoppable force both for club and country. She was part of the Australian Women’s National Team, who won the Tournament of Nations, and features for Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.

This season alone, Kerr has scored 16 goals and provided four assists for Sky Blue in 21 matches. Unfortunately, Kerr’s squad didn’t make the playoffs. However, Kerr can’t carry a whole team. That’s not reasonable to expect of her, even if she does break a single-season goal-scoring record.

In 2017, Kerr has scored seven goals for Australia, including a hat-trick against Japan in the Tournament of Nations on July 30. Kerr seems to be a household name around the Sky Blue area, and most certainly in Australia. Yet, she is ignored for the most prestigious award in women’s soccer.

The Case Against Carli Lloyd

Sam Kerr
Carli Lloyd #10 of the United States dribbles up the field during the first half against Japan in the 2017 Tournament Of Nations at StubHub Center on August 3, 2017 in Carson, California. – Getty Images

Yet somehow Lloyd, who has not scored a single international goal in 2017, makes the final three.

The other two recipients – Deyna Castellanos of Venezuela and Lieke Martens of the Netherlands (current Women’s European Champions) – are entirely deserving of their nods.

Lloyd spent the first part of the year with Manchester City Women. Where she appeared in only six games, totaling two goals. When she returned to the Houston Dash, she featured in eight matches, scoring two goals, before suffering an ankle injury on August 14.

Concluding Thoughts

Lloyd’s peak might be over, but Kerr’s is definitely rising. So why isn’t she reaping the reward?

If Lloyd wins the award this year, which I believe will actually go to Martens of the Netherlands – it would be her third win in a row.

However, it would be entirely undeserving. FIFA, start paying attention to Sam Kerr. She’s not slowing down anytime soon.

You can listen to Rachael McKriger, Erik Watkins and Sean Garmer each week. Right here on W2Mnet.com or I-Tunes, Youtube and more on the Soccer 2 the MAX Podcast.

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SECOND SAM KERR PHOTO:

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CARLI LLOYD PHOTO:

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