Updated ,first published
Matildas captain Sam Kerr will reportedly leave Chelsea at the end of the Women’s Super League season to join an American club that has existed for little more than a few weeks.
Kerr’s future at Chelsea has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, as has the possibility of a return to the US National Women’s Soccer League, where she remains the all-time leading goalscorer.
According to Network 10, the 32-year-old has signed a contract with the Denver Summit, an expansion club based in Colorado which played its first match last month.
Coached by former Manchester City women’s boss Nick Cushing, the club’s ownership group includes NFL legend Peyton Manning and alpine skiing great Mikaela Shiffrin.
Kerr has spent the last six seasons at Chelsea, winning five WSL titles and three FA Cups as she cemented her status as one of the world’s best strikers. But following her return from a long-term injury, she has played a reduced role under coach Sonia Bompastor.
Neither her exit from Chelsea nor her move to Denver has been officially announced, but it would be logical for Kerr and her family; her wife, Kristie Mewis, is a former US international who last year gave birth to their first child, Jagger.
However, Kerr appeared to deny the report, posting on Snapchat: “Don’t believe everything you read in the media man, they know a decision before me”, with laughing emojis.
The news came as Kerr, Mary Fowler, the rest of the Matildas and the team that beat them in the Asian Cup final took aim at the Asian Football Confederation for refusing to offer equal prizemoney to the men’s tournament.
In a show of unity from both nations, all players from the Australian and Japanese national teams released a joint statement on Thursday via players union FIFPro Asia/Oceania, which highlights their lingering discontent about the AFC’s stance.
Each Matildas player pocketed just $US6100 ($8800) for making the final, which they lost 1-0 to the Nadeshiko, but the Socceroos would have received almost five times that amount had they finished runners-up in the men’s Asian Cup final.
The pool of funds available to players has not increased since 2022, which was the first time prizemoney was paid at a women’s Asian Cup.
Players from Australia, Japan and several other competing nations had written to the AFC before the tournament to formally request equal prizemoney, but their pleas fell on deaf ears – despite projected revenues of $US82.4 million.
“Despite the success of this tournament, it remains the lowest-paying continental tournament in the world and inequality between the men’s and women’s game remains,” the joint statement says.
“Our pre-tournament invitation to the AFC to work together on equal prizemoney, a guaranteed share to all players, and to co-develop a lasting legacy has so far been ignored.
“This tournament was also played against a backdrop of real challenges that the AFC and the players need to work in partnership to address. From the players from the Indian team wearing ill‑fitting kit, to Korean players navigating ongoing disputes with their federation, to the extraordinary courage of the Iranian players, who reminded the world what it means to stand up for dignity, belief and what is right.
“These challenges can only be tackled together in partnership.
“As we look forward, we expect FIFA to honour its pledge of equal prizemoney for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and we will continue to fight for equality and respect for women players across our region.”
Meanwhile, Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has unveiled his 22-player squad for the team’s upcoming FIFA Series friendlies in Kenya, where they will face Malawi on April 11 and then either India or Kenya, depending on results.
All members of Australia’s 26-player Asian Cup squad have been named – except for Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Michelle Heyman, Katrina Gorry, Kahli Johnson, the injured Clare Hunt and Kyra Cooney-Cross, who is sitting out the remainder of the season to be with her ill mother.
Their absence has created room for a potential debutant in Leticia McKenna, while Jessika Nash and Isabel Gomez have also been called up.
“This window gives us a valuable opportunity to reflect on the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and continue building consistency that will underpin the team over the next sixteen months,” Montemurro said.
Full statement from Australian and Japanese players
It has been an honour to compete in this record‑breaking Women’s Asian Cup.
We thank Australia for hosting a truly world‑class tournament.
The crowds were electric. Governments showed their support. Sponsors stepped up.
Records fell and the commercial and cultural power of women’s football was undeniable.
This Women’s Asian Cup is yet another example that the growth of our game is unstoppable.
And yet there is so much more that women’s football can achieve.
Despite the success of this tournament, it remains the lowest-paying continental tournament in the world and inequality between the men’s and women’s game remains.
Our pre-tournament invitation to the AFC to work together on equal prizemoney, a guaranteed share to all players, and to co-develop a lasting legacy has so far been ignored.
Equal prizemoney would be transformational for all players and football communities across Asia.
Equal prizemoney would help to raise standards at all levels of the game across our region.
Equality benefits players in the short term, but football in the long term.
This tournament was also played against a backdrop of real challenges that the AFC and the players need to work in partnership to address.
From the players from the Indian team wearing ill‑fitting kit, to Korean players navigating ongoing disputes with their federation, to the extraordinary courage of the Iranian players, who reminded the world what it means to stand up for dignity, belief and what is right.
These challenges can only be tackled together in partnership.
As we look forward, we expect FIFA to honour its pledge of equal prizemoney for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and we will continue to fight for equality and respect for women players across our region.
