Australia

Australia is through to the Round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup as runner-up in Group C after dispatching a spirited Jamaica side 4-1 in Grenoble. All four goals were scored by Sam Kerr, who pulled level with the USWNT’s Alex Morgan in the race for the Golden Boot on five goals. The message to the critics rings louder than ever. 

Jamaica arrived at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup as heroes.

Brazil had the flair, the nutmegs and the make-a-defender-fall-on-her-ass moves against Australia. 

The Matildas got the 3-2 win. 

The Seleçao took a two-goal lead in the first half before Australia stormed back in impressive fashion, scoring three unanswered goals to hand Brazil its first group-stage loss at a Women’s World Cup since 1995. 

Australia, the dark horse candidate of many at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, suffered a shock defeat to Italy, making its first finals appearance since 1999, to begin Group C play in France. Australian captain Sam Kerr gave her side an early lead by following up her own saved penalty, but Italy’s Barbara Bonansea scored twice in the second half — including the winner five minutes into stoppage time — to give the Azzurre a dream start.

This past Sunday night the Orlando Pride faced the Seattle Reign in Tacoma, Washington, where the Pride picked up its first point of the 2019 NWSL season after drawing 1-1 at Cheney Stadium.

Orlando took an early lead after being rewarded a free kick outside the box in the sixth minute. Australian defender Alanna Kennedy gave the Pride the upper hand when she casually hit a perfect bicycle kick inside the box. Although the Pride didn't ultimately get all three points, if there were points awarded for style they definitely would have won by a landslide. 

The U.S. women’s national team have been nothing but busy thus far in 2019. From being one step closer to equal pay, to being ranked No. 1 heading into the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the USWNT is proving its worth through its dominance both on and off the field. 

The red, white and blue will be shown off again on Thursday at 7 p.m. MT when Lindsey Horan and Mal Pugh get to represent their home state of Colorado versus No. 6 Australia.

Every little girl that participates in soccer at a young age dreams of playing on her national team or professionally. Except Australian native Samantha Kerr.

Growing up in Perth, Australia, Kerr broke gender barriers by playing a sport that was predominately male. She refers to it as footy, but that is just the outback way of saying rugby. Playing a so-called male sport is difficult for any female, but Kerr went unnoticed as a girl by her boy teammates and once they discovered she was not the same as them they cried.

Nike will provide the uniforms for 14 of the 24 competing nations at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, and the sportswear giant unveiled them all during an incredible innovation event in Paris.