Matildas captain Sam Kerr has revealed the pressure and excitement of building up to this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia, and what it is like having another soccer international, America’s Kristie Mewis, as her partner.
Tuesday’s reveal of the World Cup ball, with a helicopter stunt at Bondi Beach, was a reminder that the finals are now less than six months away.
Before then Kerr has an English league and European campaign to complete with Chelsea, and Mewis a US league season to start in New York with Gotham FC.
“We’re just raging for the next six months to the World Cup, doing whatever we can,” said Kerr.
“We both feel like we’ve been gunning for this World Cup for so long now that it’s kind of going to be like we’re just giving everything for the next six months and then it’s gonna be like a breath of fresh air.’
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Speaking to English lifestyle magazine Gaffer the West Australian continued: “It’s so stressful when you have a tournament coming up, one injury, staying fit, getting picked on the team, the pressure of a home World Cup, the pressure of being in form, all those things that go into a World Cup.
“It’s just been building for two years now. So I think we’re both excited and just want to be there and want to do everything we can to perform there. So I think it’s just like rage for the next six months. Then you can take a deep breath.”
Kerr was unable to go home during the pandemic for more than two years and has relished being able to return since, whether in breaks or for internationals. She is next in Australia for matches against Spain, Jamaica and the Czech Republic next month.
“I think this next international window in February is going to be amazing,” said Kerr.
“Every time we’ve played at home we’ve broken a record crowd. Recently we played in Melbourne and we had an amazing crowd. Australians love sport and they love the Matildas.
“Everyone in Australia is absolutely pumped [about the World Cup]. My family’s pumped because they don’t have to have their passports out and spend thousands of dollars.”
The pair could face each other in the World Cup, but only if both teams reach the final. It would not be the first time though, they last played against each other in Newcastle when the US met Australia in late 2021.
Kerr said she worried that people – especially coaches and team-mates, “think we don’t take it seriously because you’re playing your girlfriend… in Newcastle she came on, we were playing against each other, and we went in on each other. We’d kill each other.
“At the Olympics we were so excited to see each other but I didn’t want people to think that we were just at the Olympics to see each other. I know that people don’t think that, but that’s the worry.”
The pair have been very open about their relationship on social media and Kerr said, “I get more fan mail about me and her than just for myself. It’s nice that people support us so much and relate to us so much.”
Mewis added: “If we can change the way one or two people feel about themselves, they can look at us and see that we’re happy and we’re trying to be as successful and we’re an out gay couple, that’s so important.”
“We’re not private people,” said Kerr. “I like sharing who I am outside of football. Football is five per cent of my life.”
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Haley is lot better player but she is also lazy and fails to make runs and support attacks. Its a double edged sword, Siemsen was a lot harder worker and it shows that Sydney are conceeding heaps more goals this year, despite Hunter adding more starch to the midfield.
Coastyboi
Guest
...Falling in love with one’s reflection. Even mirrors get jealous of Ronaldo. Just put a frame around the guy!
Grem
Roar Rookie
Could Ronaldo actually love someone more than himself? There’d always be three in that relationship.
Coastyboi
Guest
It would be challenging, & emotionally taxing. We’re talking about the world’s best, being competitive, fighting for supremacy. Certainly not a wholistic relationship based on compromise. Professional sport doesn’t take prisoners. Feelings are put to one side, & coaching secrets are hidden in the locker rooms. Governments grant millions of dollars to fund codes, purely based on results. Winning is everything. The difference between first & second is life-changing.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
yes, but surely a pro footballer is aware of their own skills and that of their partner. If they win then so be it, it should spur the loser on to win next time. I dont see how playing someone you care for could be so difficult
chris
Guest
Grem I was in Japan at the same time as the RWC in 2019. I saw virtually no indication that it was even being played there. Contrast that to a football WC and the differences are immense. I've not been to a women's football WC so it will be interesting to see how big it will be live on our own shores.
Coastyboi
Guest
Slightly more serious than tiddlywinks, wouldn’t you think?
Grem
Roar Rookie
The FIFA Women's World Cup will be larger than any men's rugby or cricket World Cup hosted here. To give you an idea, the total television viewership of the last World Cup in France in 2019 reached 1.12 billion viewers, 250 million more than the men's rugby world cup that same year. Google searches differ from your opinion. They’ll both be great events and I will attend both.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Agree re Hunter PLUS Hawksbury, I think Chidiac is also playing well for MV. Im a bit glad SIemsen has left as Haley is by far the better striker. I also thought last year Rojas was but home bias with SIemsen (who is not Matilda's level though she seems ikely to be in the squad) preferred . Vine has started a bit disappointingly.
Punter
Roar Rookie
I think time will tell. IMO the Women's football WC will be bigger, but my opinion.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
Do you not play any games with your significant other? As long as you aren't a dick about beating them then just play.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I would imagine the Rugby World Cup will be the biggest sporting event of the year. This is huge, but the womens world cup is nowhere near the mens. I have my tickets for the Matilda's Brisbane game and cannot wait, it should be great.
chris
Guest
I've been saying for 2 years now that Ibini is lazy and in no way should get anywhere near the Matildas. How she keeps getting picked is beyond me.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Everyone seems to be fascinated by the Sam Kerr relationship but the issue has got to be the old established players versus the rising tide of player and the USA has the same problem. Western United by smartly recruiting outperformed other W-league teams. Hannah Keane is the top scorer an American but she hasn't had any opportunities elsewhere. There is no shortage of people wanted to talk about but no one seems to watch the W-league including the national team coach. I have watched mainly Sydney FC games and say Hunter has been the stand out so far, Ibini to me is to lazy to play for the Matildas but keeps getting selected. If you look at the NPL top scorers as well you see there are plenty of new players putting their mark and then dont get a go at W-league level
Coastyboi
Guest
Imagine Cristiano Ronaldo’s partner was Lionel Messi. Picture they lived together, openly discussing their lifestyle, putting their love first. Now envision Portugal playing Argentina in the World Cup. How could you honestly compete with your significant other, pushing aside any emotional attachments? You simply can’t. Sport is second. You have chosen going with your heart over football. I could never challenge my loved ones on the world stage. I would swap my nationality & play on the same team.
Grem
Roar Rookie
This is the biggest sporting event of the year and it will be fantastic to watch. Obviously I want the Matildas to do well and a final against the US at Accor would be amazing. Also hoping Sam will score a bucket load of goals.,