Seven years after she left the National Women's Soccer League as its most prolific scorer, Sam Kerr marked her return to the league with her first goal since rejoining Gotham FC, an equalizer against Portland Thorns.
The Australia international striker was her own toughest critic, admitting she did not think much of her overall performance Friday at Portland's Providence Park. But her goal in the 62nd minute saw Gotham tie 2-2, adding to goals from teammate Midge Purce to put the visitors 1-0 up early on, and Renee Lyles and Jessie Fleming for the home team. Jayden Perry was later sent off for the Thorns.
"I'm obviously happy to score, help the team, but I expect more from myself," Kerr said post-match. "So I wasn't too happy with how I played. Quite disappointing, to be honest.
"I thought we were quite poor today. We're probably lucky to get away with the tie in the end. I guess I am happy… that we didn't lose."
Kerr's return has been one of the most significant acquisitions in Gotham's history.
The now 32-year-old signed with the reigning NWSL champions through the 2030 season after leaving Chelsea of the Women's Super League in England this summer, having starred for the club from 2015-17, when it was known as Sky Blue FC.
Emily Sonnett 's return to Providence Park, meanwhile, lasted just 11 minutes as the Gotham defender was taken off on a stretcher after appearing to suffer a left knee injury.
In the seventh minute, Sonnett sprinted to challenge Pietra Tordin for the ball and seemed to make little contact before collapsing to the turf. She immediately grabbed her left knee and signaled toward the Gotham bench for medical assistance.
After several minutes of treatment on the field, Sonnett was placed on a stretcher and carried off to a standing ovation from the Portland crowd, which clearly remembered the 32-year-old fondly from her three seasons with the Thorns from 2016-19. Mandy Freeman entered the match in her place.
Gotham said Sonnett will undergo further evaluation after the team returns to their New Jersey base and she won't play the next match against Bay FC Wednesday in San Jose, Calif. The club expects to share more information on the player's injury early next week.
Sonnett has rarely missed time through injury during her 10-year professional career but the implications of any absence would be significant for Gotham and the U.S. women's national team, with the World Cup in Brazil less than a year away.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has consistently relied on Sonnett's versatility, deploying her wherever the squad's greatest need arose, whether at center back, full back or defensive midfield.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic .
US Women's national team, Portland Thorns, Gotham FC, NWSL, Women's Soccer
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