Report: Sam Kerr Is Leaving Chicago

Even as the rumors were flying, nothing had been set in stone regarding Sam Kerr’s future with the Chicago Red Stars. Now, however, we may have an answer.

The Washington Post’s Steven Goff is reporting that the Australian international informed the Red Stars earlier today that she will not be returning for the 2020 NWSL season.

Kerr, who scored 18 goals for Chicago in 2019 on her way to winning both the league’s Golden Boot and MVP awards, made her mark as perhaps the most dominant player in club and league history. The news comes less than a week after the Red Stars’ season ended in a 4-0 loss to the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL Championship Final.

Neither Kerr nor the club have offered an official confirmation at press time.

The 26-year-old has not yet decided where she’s going next. The clubs reportedly in contention to sign her are Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Earlier today, the league announced new financial rules regarding player compensation. Among the change were an increased salary cap, multi-year contracts, and allocation money to attract big-name stars. There was hope this week that the new financial rules would allow the Red Stars to make Kerr a competitive offer and, hopefully, convince her to stay. If Goff’s report bears out, it may well be a moot point.

We’ll have more on this story as it develops.